August 21st One Year Bible Readings

Job 1:1-3:26 ~ 1 Corinthians 14:1-17 ~ Psalm 37:12-29 ~ Proverbs 21:25-26
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on OneYearAudioBible.org or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Yesterday we wrapped up Esther and today we begin Job! We are jumping back in time from 5th century B.C. (Esther) to 10th century B.C. (Job).  Below is an image of Job with his friends by artist Guy Rowe:

~ Job ~
Author: Unknown
Date: Tenth century B.C.
Content: This long narrative poem deals with one of the deepest problems of man: How do we explain sin and suffering, if there exists a God powerful enough to do something about them? The book begins with the suffering of Job being given three sets of speeches by some friends of his: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, each of whom tries to explain Job’s misery in a different way. A fourth man, Elihu, tries to summarize the situation, offering yet another explanation of why Job was suffering. Finally, the Lord himself speaks to Job, and Job recognizes that we do not so much need “answers” to life’s problems, as we need God himself. Job is then healed and given material and spiritual blessings far beyond his former state.
Theme: The mystery that surrounds human existence and the need to trust in God runs throughout the book. Mankind simply does not have enough knowledge to explain why things happen the way they do. It is possible to rise above our limitations by faith in God, however, because God does know why everything happens and will work good for those who love him. We may thus learn the profound truth that when we have nothing left but God, God is enough. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 9-10)  More commentary on Job titled “The Ideal of Submission” is at this link.  Below is an image from 15th century German artist Mittelalter of Job being smitten by sores by Satan from today's readings and Job's wife saying to him in chapter 2 verse 9: "Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die."

Today Job has a very interesting chapter 1 discussion between God and Satan. Do you believe in the existence of Satan? Demons? Evil? In the introduction to the wonderful book, “The Screwtape Letters,” C.S. Lewis writes: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which the human race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.” I’ll be honest – in my early Christian walk, I did not really believe in the existence of Satan, demons, evil. I believed in God and Christ and Love, and thought that was enough – evil didn’t need to exist in my universe.  :)  Unfortunately, I've heard another quote that: "Satan's greatest trick is to convince a person that Satan does not exist." I now could not agree more. If you don't believe in Satan or evil's existence then you are left open to subtle attacks, without even realizing it. God is so much more powerful than anything Satan can throw at you. But, keep in mind, Satan is throwing temptations at you. How do you combat the devil's temptations? Read Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10-18 at this link. Do you believe in the existence of Satan? Demons? Evil?

New Testament - First Corinthians chapter 14 is an interesting chapter.  I personally have not spoken in tongues - nor heard it as far as I know.  But, I do know many people that have both spoken in tongues and heard it and have heard interpretations.  I do think Paul makes it clear in this chapter that both speaking in tongues and prophecy are gifts.  I do think we do well to pay attention to Paul's conclusion to today's readings in verses 15 through 17: "Well then, what shall I do? I will do both. I will pray in the spirit, and I will pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will sing in words I understand. For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don't understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don't understand what you are saying? You will be giving thanks very nicely, no doubt, but it doesn't help the other people present."  Bible.org's commentary on speaking in tongues is at this link.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in First Corinthians titled "The Measure of a Gift" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 37 verse 16 is powerful today - "It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and possess much."  I don't know what I can add to this.... I think you probably get it.  :)  Do you live it?

Verse 23 is so amazing... "The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives."  I don't mean to infer that I am godly here... but, I will admit that there are times in my life where I really sense that God is directing my steps - and taking care of every detail.  And basically, it feels like I am sort of just going with God's flow.  Things are just happening beautifully.  And I do sense the Spirit often during these times.  My sadness in this area is that I don't realize that God is directing my steps all of the time.  And that he is delighting in every detail of my life - most of the time...  :)  I pray you and I will come to a greater awareness of this in our lives each and every moment: "The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives."

Proverbs - Proverbs 21 verses 25 & 26 are fantastic - "The desires of lazy people will be their ruin, for their hands refuse to work. They are always greedy for more, while the godly love to give!"  What an interesting juxtaposition of how the lazy are greedy and they have strong desires, while the godly love to give!  Beautiful.  Do you love to give?  What was the last intentional (not random) act of kindness you performed?  Do you perform intentional acts of kindness regularly?

Worship God:  Yep, as we're starting the book of Job it seems the most appropriate time to share with you Matt Redman's "Blessed Be Your Name".  Matt wrote this song just after September 11th when the world was in mourning for the U.S.  (Matt lives in England)  The song includes the line: "Blessed Be Your name, When I'm found in the desert place, Though I walk through the wilderness, Blessed Be Your name."  I think we'll find Job singing a similar song to God when we get to the very end of this powerful book we're embarking on today... Below is this song performed live by the Newsboys:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLycgKxlgc0

Is God's name blessed to you? Click here for your true Blessing!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked." Psalm 37:16 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are pursuing righteousness in your life above riches. Pray that your are content with your righteousness. Pray that you are not in love with or pursuing money.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on our readings in First Corinthians chapter 14 today, I'm wondering if anyone has experiences with speaking in tongues that you'd be willing to share in the Comments section below?  Feel free to post up anonymously without using your name or email if you'd like.  Maybe you've experienced tongues yourself or have heard others speaking in tongues?  I definitely don't want to create any debates with this question.  I'm just genuinely interested in hearing others thoughts or experiences regarding speaking in tongues?  Thanks.  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

[Ginny]

I definately believe in the gift of speaking in tongues. Although this has not happened with me, yet. My husband's grandmother was a preacher and once we were all around the table holding hands to pray. As my husband was saying the prayer his grandmother began speaking in tongues. This was and is my only experience of being around someone speaking in tongues. It was such a powerful moment. I felt the power in her prayer to the Lord. I am an open an willing vessel for God to work in me how he sees fit. I have asked to experience speaking in tongues. When God is ready for that to happen I believe it will. This is my first post, I started reading with you guys about a year ago. I just finished reading the Bible for the first time through, this past Monday the 16th. Then I picked up with you guys on Tuesday to finish out this year and start afresh with you all next year. Thank you for taking the time to bless others through your ministry to the Lord.

[art]

Thanks for your response, Ginny, and welcome to the Bible blog. It's such a wonderful site and has been a blessing to all who have used it. Mike adds many points to ponder, and this comment page generally contains thoughts from our group that are so interesting and informative. The music link is also great!

Please stay with us and add your thoughts and comments regularly. We are blessed to have you here!

art

[Ramona]

Job 1-3:26

Job is the book I go to and think on when I need a reminder on how not to guess what God’s ways are like. Unfortunately, Job didn’t have the written Word of God to ascertain the ways of God, but thanks to Job’s experiences written down for us, we have the privilege to at least know what God is not like because we can look at the dialogue with his three “friends.”

One of the things I love in this book is the passage, in King James parlance, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. (Job 1:6 KJV).

Evil showing up when good appears is the norm. Paul stated, I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (Romans 7:21 KJV) Therefore, I need to stop being surprised when in the midst of something good happening, evil shows up.

There is also a verse in today’s reading that I believe is used wrongly by a lot of people. It is quoted as fact as if God spoke it, He did not,

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:20-21 KJV)

The Lord allowed Satan to strike Job, but the Lord didn’t take anything away from him. Satan can only do what God allows him to do. I Also pray that I am never a friend or possibly a wife to someone using this as a rebuke, Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. (Job 2:9 KJV)

These verses also show me that one can be godly and righteous, yet become depressed and possibly suicidal, yet not take one’s life.

I Corinthians 14:1-27

Whether one believes that speaking in tongues or even if the “gifts” are still in operation today, is really moot and deviates from the intent and purpose of this letter to the Church, correction. If the purpose of a thing is not understood, abuse is inevitable, as stated by Myles Monroe then Paul wrote this letter to correct abuse in the church and to underscore that what ever they had been given was not theirs to self-consume. The gifts are their for building up of the Body of Christ. No one gift is more valuable then the next because each has its purpose. Just like a cancerous grown on a seemingly insignificant part of the body can take out the whole body, so too something that “men” designate as inferior or insignificant is ignored, it can take out an entire church. The Church at Corinth was putting greater value on speaking in tongues, that was wrong, and whatever they were doing, they were not doing it in LOVE. This was an immature church, immature by choice using some very powerful gifts, given to them by God, wrongly. Have you given your three-year old your power tools today?

Psalm 37:12-29

Mike we are not godly because of anything we do or don’t do. God says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”(Isaiah 64:6 KJV)

We can never be good enough by keeping the Law and if anyone breaks on of the laws (all 600 plus, not just the 10), they have broken them all (Deut 27:26; Gal 3:10). If God had said to Abraham, “I am a Rain Cloud walk before me and be wet because I am wet,” would we have to go jump into a lake to get wet? No, we would become wet because of who God is.

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. (Genesis 17:1 KJV)

Our righteousness, or steps being ordered by God comes from our relationship with Him, it comes from us being attached to the Vine as His branches.

Proverbs 21:25-26

Is being “needy” a nice way of saying someone is greedy? If it is then no matter how we “nice-it-up” needy is still greedy. And if “needy” and “greedy” are indeed one and the same, someone please correct me if I’m wrong—I know there are Psychologist that come to this site, the root cause is laziness as per the wisdom of Solomon. Yikes.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Tonya McDonald]

I am blessed to be a member of a church that not only teaches and encourages all of it's members to be covered with the Holy Spirit, manifested by the gift of praying in tongues, but also encourages faith in the truth that God is unchanging and that the powerful gifts of the early church are still available to all who believe in them and desire them today. Because they teach us about humility before God, the power of and need for a consistent, fervent prayer life and mentor those with the manifestation of different gifts on how to use them correctly, I have witnessed God use others of our church, especially teens, whose faith and love are pure and powerful and less hindered by worldly beliefs, to speak in tongues and then themselves or others to interpret those words to edify, exhort and encourage the body of our church during our monthly prayer summits. It is an experience like no other to witness. To use that gift requires faith, humility and a desire to be used of God. Ginny, I believe God will honor your desire to be used by Him and will lead you to a group of believers who can help you first develop a prayer life of both understanding and inthe spirit and then develop this gift in you if God has deemed it for you, so that you will not misuse it.