October 22nd One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 39:1-41:18 ~ 2 Timothy 1:1-18 ~ Psalm 90:1-91:16 ~ Proverbs 26:1-2
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Old Testament - Jeremiah chapter 39 brings the fall of Jerusalem! :( It is sad to read about king Zedekiah's fate. But, he was forewarned many times by Jeremiah of the coming destruction. It is interesting that King Nebuchadnezzar sought out Jeremiah and told his soldiers to free Jeremiah - and give him the option of staying in Judah or coming to Babylon, where he would be taken care of. Almost seemed like Nebuchadnezzar feared God more than Zedekiah?  Actually, in Jeremiah 40:2, we do see that the Babylonians did have a good understanding of God's prophecies and they seemed to believe them: "The captain of the guard called for Jeremiah and said, "The Lord your God has brought this disaster on this land, just as he said he would. For these people have sinned against the Lord and disobeyed him. That is why it happened." Is it possible in our lives today that sometimes others can see more clearly than we can of how God is moving in our lives?  Below is an image of the fall of Jerusalem from today's readings:

Jeremiah chapter 40 continues with Gedaliah being appointed governor of Judah by Babylon. Gedaliah seems to be a good sort, as he invites the people living in the country side to: "Settle in any town you wish, and live off the land. Harvest the grapes and summer fruits and olives, and store them away." (v. 10). However, things don't go well too long for Gedaliah, which is sad...  Ishmael enters the scene in chapter 40 and into chapter 41, and ultimately murders Gedaliah. This definitely made me sad! Things seemed to be getting a bit peaceful in Judah, and prosperous to a degree. And then evil enters the scene once again... How many times have we seen this scenario play out over history?  Below is an image of Ishmael's treachery to the remnant of Judah in 41:6 -

New Testament - Today we begin Paul’s second letter to Timothy, which was likely the last letter Paul ever wrote. Some call this letter Paul’s “last will and testament!”

~ Second Timothy ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Probably Rome
Date: A.D. 66 or 67
Content: This letter was probably the last letter that Paul ever wrote, and he addressed it to his former associate Timothy. It is a personal letter that expresses Paul’s deepest feelings and the assurance that though his earthly life might end, God had eternal life waiting for him in heaven. Paul also reflects upon the faithfulness of God (who led him through his entire life) and upon the coming desperate days when men would depart from the truth, refusing to acknowledge God as Lord. He exhorts Timothy to stand firm in the face of the coming persecutions.
Theme: The sovereign control of God over all things is the basic theme of this book. Although distress has come and will continue to increase, God is in control and those who trust him will have nothing to fear. Paul also adds his own testimony of faith, describing how he fought for the truth and will be rewarded by God in the end. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 29-30)  A wonderful commentary on Second Timothy by Dwight Edwards titled “Call to Completion” is at this link.

Second Timothy chapter 1 verse 6 is a very important teaching of Paul's that each of us should consider in our own lives: "This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you."  Do you notice that Paul says "fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you"?  What does this say to you?  This says to me that when God gives us spiritual gifts, they don't typically come in full bloom all at once!  The gifts are given, and then we are to partner with the Spirit of God in fanning the embers of the spiritual gifts into full flames!  This is really powerful to think about.  I think sometimes we think that once we're saved, that's it.  We're done.  We've got all we need and there's nothing more to do except wait for heaven.  Well...  I think once we're saved the spiritual adventure really begins!  God's gives us spiritual gifts.  He gives us Kingdom work to do on this side of heaven!  Do you believe that you have spiritual gifts?  Do you know what they are?  If not, do you suppose that perhaps your spiritual gifts are currently embers and now is the time for you to "fan into flames the spiritual gifts God gave you"?  Let us fan the flames folks!

Psalms - Today in Psalm 91:11-12 we read the words quoted by Satan to Jesus during the temptation in the desert: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” As you read this Psalm, do these words apply to Jesus only? Or to those who trust in the Lord as well? Do you believe that the Lord is guarding you in all your ways? Do you believe this is possible? (I hope your answer is yes!)

Do you recall Jesus’ response to Satan in Matthew 4:7: “It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” What do Jesus’ words to Satan tell you about these words in the Psalm? Can we believe these words of the Psalmist, and also not put God to the test at the same time? As an example, is driving over the speed limit putting God to the test? Is deciding to skip church one week (or for many weeks) because we have some chores to catch up on / or fun stuff to do / or because we’re just tired, putting God to the test in some ways?  Think we just might look like this little guy below to God when we come up with all of our excuses of why we don't go to church...?  :)

Bob Deffinbaugh with Bible.org has commentary on Psalm 90 titled "Place for Pessimism" at this link and his commentary on Psalm 91 titled "A Psalm of Safety" is at this link.

Proverbs - Proverbs 26 verse 2 is a great reminder to not curse anyone!  We are not the judge.  God is.  We cannot truly curse anyone.  Any curse we offer is an unfair curse.  "Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an unfair curse will not land on its intended victim."  Why do we ever behave like fluttering sparrows or a darting swallows by giving unfair curses?  Do we realize that any curse we attempt to impose will not land on our intended victim, but could come right back on ourselves like a boomerang?

Worship God:  Today's readings in 2 Timothy 1 reminded me of Tenth Avenue North's great song, "Love Is Here:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sBuajPzBTw

Is Love here for you?  Click here for Love!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. " Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray you are numbering your days aright. Pray that you are wholeheartedly seeking a heart of wisdom through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike

 

Comments

[Ramona]

Jeremiah 39:1-41:18

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. (1 Corinthians 14:10 KJV)

Gedaliah, like Judah, fell into the same pit, the pit of not listening to the right voice, the Voice of God. Their spiritual dullness desensitized them to the Voice of God. Job made a statement, Doesn't the ear test words as the palate tastes food? (Job 12:11 HCSB), that has stuck with me for years, our ability to discern the truth of words spoken to us. In the fourteenth chapter of Jeremiah, as per the Amplified Bible, we are deceived by our own consent. {And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword; and they shall have none to bury them--them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their wickedness upon them [and not on their false teachers only, for the people could not have been deceived except by their own consent]. (Jeremiah 14:16 AMP)}

Gedaliah chose not to believe the report that Ishmael was out to kill him. The question we need to ask is why didn’t he believe? As most of Judah failed to believe the words of coming doom given to Jeremiah, and the prophets before him, so Gedaliah didn’t believe the words spoken to him about his danger. Obedience to God’s Word and Words is our only protection.

I will jump into the fray regarding the day of the week to worship, it doesn’t matter the day nor the time. Maybe I’m kind of dense but nowhere in Mike’s comments regarding Psalm a couple of verses in Psalm 91 do I read of him advocating Sunday only worship. Am I missing something? The command is to not forsake the assembling of the saints (Heb.10:25 ). Paul himself stated in what I call the “Mind Your Business” chapter, Romans 14, that no day had any special meaning over any other day. If anyone has not experienced the power of cooperate worship, the synergy that comes about when you gather together with like believers, even if you don’t particular care for the one sitting next to you, than maybe you are worshiping at a dead church. Either you may want to switch and go to a live one or pray earnestly for revival (You only revive dead things.)

I sit here as I type this post, figuratively scratching my head, because this debate is being brought up while we are studying Jeremiah. The man God sent several times to the door of the Temple to tell the folks going in to offer their sacrifices and to worship, that what they were bringing was not wanted by Him because what they were bring was not from the heart. It seems to me that we should “get it” that worship and our offerings should come from the heart no matter what day of the week it is, whether it is High Noon or Twelve Midnight, it’s all about the heart, the intent of the heart.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[bajo]

This passage in 2 Timothy regarding Onesiphorus is cite by the Catholic Church s evidence of the appropriateness of praying for the dead and indirectly for the existence of a purgatory. Do you think this is accurate?

RR