February 27th One Year Bible Readings

Leviticus 20:22-22:16 ~ Mark 9:1-29 ~ Psalm 43:1-5 ~ Proverbs 10:18
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~ Listen to today's Scripture on OneYearAudioBible.org or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Today in Leviticus chapter 20 verses 23 & 24 we read - "Do not live by the customs of the people whom I will expel before you. It is because they do these terrible things that I detest them so much. But I have promised that you will inherit their land, a land flowing with milk and honey. I, the LORD, am your God, who has set you apart from all other people."  These verses are another reminder that God's laws to the Israelites were given to set them apart from the pagans surrounding them and in Canaan.  God's laws were given to differentiate what is right and wrong, in comparison to the pagan immoral customs.  I wonder about this in our modern world today.  As followers of Jesus, do you think we should be "set apart" from what the modern world tells us to do & how to live?  Should we or should we not be living by the customs of our modern world?  How are you living your life today?  If someone examined your life, would they see that you are set apart from the customs of our modern world?  Bob Deffinbaugh's commentary on Leviticus chapters 21 & 22 is at this link.  A sermon from Peninsula Bible Church on Leviticus 21 & 22 is at this link.

New Testament - Today in Mark chapter 9 we read about the Transfiguration!  I heard a wonderful sermon recently about the Transfiguration.  The sermon basically was stating that the Transfiguration of Jesus into a dazzling white & God's voice showed to James, John, and Peter that Jesus was truly divine and the son of God.  And, the sermon suggested this Transfiguration took place relatively closely to Jesus' arrest and death - as such, the Transfiguration was meant to give these 3 apostles the hope that even during the dark days that were soon to come during the arrest, trial and death of Jesus, that they truly were following the Messiah and that he would rise from the dead - although they didn't quite understand the rise from the dead part at this time.  I think it is important for us to remember that we have the knowledge of the full story of Jesus, including his resurrection - hindsight is 20/20 - but the apostles did not know exactly what was going to happen at this particular time.  The Transfiguration was an incredible sign of God's control in all that was happening and would happen to his beloved son Jesus.  Commentary on the Transfiguration is at bible.org at this link

Verse 24 is an amazing statement from the father of a possessed boy to Jesus- "The father instantly replied, "I do believe, but help me not to doubt!""  I have heard this verse mentioned by the late Christian writer Henri Nouwen.  One of his simple prayers that he would pray very often - throughout his day - was simply, "Jesus, I believe.  Help my unbelief." I know that I have uttered this prayer on occasion in the past and it's been an amazing little prayer to pray - at any time of the day.  Jesus, I believe.  Help my unbelief.  (The Genesee Diary is the book by Henri where I believe I read about him praying this short prayer where he kept a diary when spending several months in a trappist monastery.  This book is a great read to remind us to slow down in our busy lives!)

Psalms - I think Psalm 43 verse 5 starts off with a couple of questions that then answer themselves by the end of the verse - "Why am I discouraged?  Why so sad? I will put my hope in God!  I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!" I would agree with what this verse is getting at.  If I find myself to be discouraged or sad, it comes as no great surprise to me that I have been putting my hope in things other than God.  I have been perhaps even praising false idols.  And the sure fire way to be freed from the discouragement or sadness?  To put my hope once again in God and God only.  And to praise him again!  I think this Psalm verse is a great reminder to make sure we are not placing our hope in anything other than God.  For anything other than God will only leave us empty in the end.

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 10 verse 18 tells us - "To hide hatred is to be a liar; to slander is to be a fool."  Powerful teaching for us to consider.  Let us pray that we will not be foolish...

YouTube: My reflections above on Henri Nouwen's book about living in a Trappist monastery reminded me of the a powerful moving about Trappist monks called Into Great Silence.  Below is the movie trailer for this film. Anyone else see this film? Reviews?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgNj2Sf_mgo

Do you know the Great Silence?  Click here and be still!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 43:5 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that when you are downcast you will put your hope in God. Pray that you will always praise God, even when you are downcast. Pray for your Savior and your God to comfort you.

Comments from You & Question of the Day - What do you think of the image above in the Psalms section?  I find it to be very powerful - and relates to the OT reflections on being "set apart."  How do you set yourself apart from the world for God?  Are there particular movies or TV or radio programs that you will not watch or listen to?  Should we set boundaries for ourselves on what we will and will not watch?  Personally, I will admit that I don't watch rated R movie these days.  I just know what those movies will typically be trying to "sell" me - and I ain't buying.  I do think that we should think about the Holy Spirit indwelling in us and how we might want to set ourselves apart on occasion of what we won't participate in, that the rest of the world wouldn't blink at participating in.  What are some examples of how you try to set yourself apart from the world for God?  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

Comments

[Peter]

Hi,

I admire you for putting great efforts in updating your blog daily which shows your great love in spreading the Good News. I stumbled upon your blog quite sometime ago but it was lost among so many other blogs that are more 'interesting' as they deal with current affairs. However I do confess that we must anchor ourselves to the Bible as the only reliable benchmark to living a life acceptable to God. I would love to continue reading your blog on a daily basis and I pray that more readers will find your blog and comment on the issues you raise daily.

Well, the imagery in the Psalm section conveys a common problem, which is how to spend time effectively and productively. I believe many people, especially the under-employed and the retired, are at a loss as to what to do with their time. I believe that God wants us to apply our talents towards areas that help the disadvantaged and I am grateful that I am given the privilege to serve in the area link to the URL above.

I suppose in our lifetime we need to be able to show to God when we meet Him what we did while we sojourned here.

[Dee]

Mike, you are so right on it about setting yourself apart from the world! We are the body of Christ. We are His vessel. In order for Him to work in us and through us, we have to be aware of what our spirit leads us to do and stay committed on the journey with Christ. Just this past week, I started feeling a call to change and alter my schedule daily, and first things first, to start it off again, "early" with God! I committed and got "on board" again if you might say that, to early rising, like at 4 am or 4:30 and got lots of God time in and my day was completely changed and blessed beyond all I could say, think, or ask. Does everyone have to recommit that strongly to have a breakthrough? I don't think so, but I do believe it is whatever the Lord places on your heart to change, its the little things that matter. Like you said the R rated movies, replacing with Life changing movies, or watching less tv in general. I personally don't watch those R movies in a "long"!! time either. I for one have small kids and so when they were born, we centered our movies around their eyes and ears could handle, G rated and such, I used to love horror movies, now I look back and wonder what was I thinking? I don't get the reason behind me liking something so fake but something so terrifying to give me nightmares?? such death and tragedy in a flick? I don't think my spirit should be submitted to that. Anyway, the whole bottom line is Seek the Lord with All your heart and all your soul(Deut 4:29), with All diligence(Prov 4:23), from out of the abundance of your heart will flow the well springs of Life(prov 4:23)! and Life more abundantly! God Bless Each and Everyone on this Blog! ~~DeeDee

[Raeann]

This is my beloved Son: hear him.

[Sheena]

The thought of setting myself apart makes me nervous. I don't want being set apart to be seen as being better than. I don't like to make a blanket statement about what I will and won't watch or listen to. I do, however, stop watching or listenting to a particular song or movie/TV show when I feel uncomfortable with the language or ideas in it. I trust that God will convict me at the appropriate times. I HAVE noticed that it takes a lot of guts to do this in front of other people. When Jay asked me to sing a song I wasn't comfortable with, there was a lot of internal back and forth about whether it was a big deal, and basically some rationalizing and trying to compromise with what I felt like God was telling me. Eventually, when I did let her know I wasn't comfortable, she didn't try to talk me into it or ridicule me or even think I was being goody two shoes. She just accepted it and we moved on.