January 21st One Year Bible Readings

Genesis 42:18-43:34 ~ Matthew 13:47-14:12 ~ Psalm 18:16-36 ~ Proverbs 4:7-10
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Old Testament - Hi everyone - I'm a bit short on time today, so here is a brief OT post.  Bible.org's commentary on Genesis chapter 42 titled "The Proper Use of Power" is at this link and commentary on Genesis chapter 43 titled "The fears of Jacob and the tears of Joseph" is at this link.

New Testament - Today in Matthew chapter 13 verse 54 we read about Jesus going to his hometown of Nazareth where he was raised as a child.  Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as we know, but raised in Nazareth, where Mary & Joseph met and married and returned after their flight to Egypt after Jesus' birth.  Below is a NASA photo courtesy of ebibleteacher.com that shows where Nazareth is located in comparison to Bethlehem and Jerusalem:

In verse 57 we read this when Jesus was in Nazareth:  "Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."" This verse remind me that sometimes when we really move forward in our faith, our friends (“hometown” from the verse above) and our relatives can sometimes not understand what is going on with us. I think there are phases of our walk with God where really it becomes very personal – between us and God – and through that process God will transform us. And our friends and relatives sometimes may not appreciate our change for various reasons – just as Jesus’ friends and relatives did not appreciate his ministry in this verse. I hope that this verse can be of comfort to you if by chance you are having challenges reconciling your faith and your changed heart with your friends & relatives expectations of who you were in the past. Know that you are on the right path. As long as you are staying focused on God and his will for your life, you may have to accept some loss of “honor” (per the verse above) in your status with your friends and relatives. You may not seem to be as “cool” or “fun” or whatever as you once were in your friends’ eyes. But – if in God’s eyes you are loving Him with all of your heart and you are loving your neighbors as yourself, then you are eternally cool and fun in the Kingdom of Heaven. And that’s where it really counts. Where are you seeking “honor” in your life today? In the eyes of your friends and relatives – or in God’s eyes?

Today we read about the beheading of John the Baptist.  I found this painting below by the Italian artist Caravaggio from the year 1610 titled "Salome with the Head of St. John the Baptist."  I almost hesitated to post this painting up, but I think it's worth us considering.  This is what happened to the man who proclaimed Jesus' ministry was coming.  This is what happened to the man who baptized Jesus in the Jordan.  And of course this brutality pales in comparison to what Jesus went through on the road to Golgotha.  This painting below and thinking about Jesus' passion, suffering, and death just made me think that sometimes following God does not lead strictly to "health and wealth."  But sometimes truly following God leads to suffering and poverty.  But - and here's the key but - it also leads to eternal life!  So, no, perhaps many/most/all of us will not go through what John went through in today's readings or in this painting below.  But you know what, if we are truly following God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I think we need to realize that this type of thing can happen.  But if this type of thing happens while pursuing and loving Jesus with all that you are, then it's of course worth it because Jesus will raise you up on the other side!

Psalms - There are so many great verses today for us to meditate upon in Psalm 18!  I love verses 25 through 27: "To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile. You rescue those who are humble, but you humiliate the proud."  Are you showing yourself to be faithful to God?  Are you living with integrity?  Are you showing yourself to be pure?  Is God showing you these things as well?

I really love verse 28: "LORD, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness."   Has Jesus brought light into your life?  Does God light up your darkness?

Proverbs - I love Proverbs 4:7 today! "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."  How simple and yet profound is that first sentence?  The beginning of wisdom = get wisdom.  Can't argue with that!  :)  The question then becomes how do we get wisdom?  Or, where do we get wisdom.  I will say simply, The Bible is the best fount of Wisdom I know of.  So, reading and studying the Bible on a daily basis = wisdom.  Then the second sentence in the verse above is great too - though it cost all you have, get understanding.  Where does understanding come from?  Again, I'd say the Bible.  But I'll also say that I think understanding comes from investing in a community of people and being invested in by other people.  We can't really get understanding on our own, being a "lone ranger."  We need others in our life so that iron sharpens iron.  I hope and pray you are in a local church community?  And I hope and pray you are in a small group of some sort?  We need others to do life with and to gain understanding.  Will you find a church or a small group in this next month if you're not part of a church or small group yet? 

Worship God: Our readings today in Psalm 18 verse 28 remind me of the Charlie Hall song "Marvelous Light:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAQJKZJB-kE

Are you running into the Marvelous Light?  Click here and run!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you would grow in Wisdom in this new year. Pray that God would lead you to the ways He would have you grow in Wisdom this year. Pray that you will pursue wisdom.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on my comments above in Matthew, have you ever lost some "honor" with your friends or family as you've moved forward in your faith?  If you did lose honor with your friends did you gain honor with God?  Do you think you sometimes base your decisions more on what other people will think?  Or do you base your decisions on what God will think?  At times in your faith walk have you had to distance yourself from some old friends so that you can move forward in your faith walk?  Has this been hard?  Has it been worth it?  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

Comments

[Ramona]

Genesis 42:18-43:34

A particular verse has not jumped out at me today but what has caught my eye is a state of mind has guilt. Joseph’s brothers are totally filled with guilt and thus paranoid. They consistently second guess and put a “spin” on every misstep they make with this unknown ruler. Unknown to them but they are known to him.

They said to one other, "Surely we're being punished because of our brother, because we saw how distressed he was when he cried to us for mercy, but we refused to listen. That is why this distress has come on us!"
(Genesis 42:21 NET.)

Twenty plus years loaded with guilt times ten. This is a picture of man outside of Jesus Christ spinning the events of their lives trying to get a hold of their culpability by any means necessary. However, unless man deals in Truth, guilt, whether true guilt or false, guilt will remain burdening the carrier.

By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man--not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil.
(Proverbs 16:6 AMP)

Jesus calls to everyone to exchange the yoke of guilt to His yoke.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16.] For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
(Matthew 11:28-30 AMP)

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Bob Bieberdorf]

"WISDOM: Is the discipline of applying truth to one's life in the light of experience. It is often contrasted with folly, which is the category of rejectiing God, and God's ways." Dr. Craig Smith.
In the light of today's readings dealing with Joseph's jealous brothers, Herod's disfunctional family and even Jesus's home town, we would do well to seek it constantly and live according to what is said in the Psalms for today.

[DeeDee]

I have had family and friends not understand my new found faith, especially the grace message. I just love, keep quiet while i seek HIM and His still small voice.