One Year Bible Blog

November 8th One Year Bible Readings

2009-11-07T20:00:00-07:00

Ezekiel 18:1-19:14 ~ Hebrews 9:1-10 ~ Psalm 106:32-48 ~ Proverbs 27:10
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Ezekiel chapter 18 is a powerful chapter! What we are seeing in this chapter is the Old Covenant - which I do believe was compassionate & "fair", but different from the New Covenant, which I believe is compassionate & graceful (which may not necessarily be "fair" - but which is good news - Gospel - for us sinners!). Verse 30 is a good look at the Old Covenant: "Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn from your sins! Don't let them destroy you!" Verse 4 of course stands out too with: "And this is my rule: The person who sins will be the one who dies." You read this at a high level and you'll get a bit nervous, no? :) Indeed this is the Old Covenant: your actions will dictate your death or your life. It's up to your actions. It's up to you. You'll get what you deserve. And this is certainly "fair." However, this changes through Jesus Christ's atonement for our sins once and for all on the cross. Under the New Covenant, through God's gift of grace, we now simply need to have faith that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, died for our sins and rose from the dead. As we've been reading in Hebrews currently - we simply need to have faith in Christ as our High Priest. God's grace and our faith becomes the key (regeneration). Not our actions on their own. This being said, after our salvation (justification) through grace and faith, God is very interested in our actions and wants us to live a life of holiness (sanctification). This is a lot of theology here... and more than I can blog on without goofing it up - actually I probably already have. :) Check out a good overview of justification and sanctification (and regeneration!) on bible.org at this link. Also, I'll copy this image below, which I found interesting. I may not agree with every point on this image, but overall I find this useful: (though, I'd say you could take a thick black magic marker and just write "Jesus" and "Grace" all over this image below too, and that would really be all you need to know :)

Verse 32 can be argued to be the single most important point in all of the book of Ezekiel - "I don't want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live!" This is a powerful verse. Think this verse shows us that God is compassionate? Think this might be the single most important point in the book of Ezekiel? Think this verse can apply to our lives today? Are their areas of sin in your life which God is calling you to turn back from? Calling you to turn toward true Life? And to be free from the slavery of sin? Will you turn back? Will you repent?

Ezekiel Chapter 19 is a funeral song and allegory about the land of Judah and Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the lioness and the lions are two of her sons, two kings - one who ended up trapped and deceived by Egypt and the other by Babylon. The last sentence of verse 14 is a sad one... "This is a funeral song, and it is now time for the funeral." As we know, it is now time for the funeral for Jerusalem in Ezekiel's time. However, of course, there is the redemption to come and the continuation of the house of David. The promise to Abraham won't die here! There is another Lion of Judah yet to come...

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 9 is a fairly brief reading today on the Old Covenant rules for approaching God. We also read today about the ark of the covenant: (replica below - no Indiana Jones claims here... :)

Below are a couple of good images of the tabernacle, which you'll recall details about from our readings in Exodus chapters 26 & 27 earlier this year:

One thing that stands out in my mind when reading this chapter today is that just after Jesus dies on the cross there is an earthquake, which shakes the Temple in Jerusalem where the Most Holy Place was located at the time of Jesus' death. The curtain separating the Most Holy Place from the rest of the Temple is torn in two. This is incredible imagery that shows that no longer is the Most Holy Place and an earthly high priest the only way to God. Jesus has torn that veil in two and Jesus is our new and eternal High Priest ushering in the New Covenant!

Psalms - Psalm 106 verse 39 stood out to me today, speaking about the Israelites: "They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD's sight." I think this Psalm verse stands the test of time with our modern world today. Do you believe that we still defile ourselves with our evil deeds today? Do you believe that our love of idols is adultery in God's sight? How can we stop defiling ourselves with evil deeds and stop loving idols in our modern world today? Who can save us from ourselves?

Proverbs - Proverbs 27:10 is interesting and not something I would think of on my own: "Never abandon a friend--either yours or your father's. Then in your time of need, you won't have to ask your relatives for assistance. It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away." I would of course think it's better to ask a distant relative for help than a friend. But, this Proverb tells us differently... Why do you suppose this is? I guess as I think about it, it is probably because when our "time of need" comes we will first turn to our neighbors in our local community - to call the fire department or call the police or call the paramedics or whatever the case may be. We'll need our neighbors during that time of need initially. And then, longer term, yes we'll need our relatives who live far away. But that unforeseen time of immediate need is just one more reason to live in loving community with our neighbors! And let us always be ready to serve our neighbors when they need us. Do you really know your neighbors? Are you a good neighbor?

Worship God: Today's readings in Hebrews chapter 9 about the holiness of God remind me of Chris Tomlin's song "Holy is the Lord!" Chris does a nice job quoting from Nehemiah 8:10 in this song: for the joy of the Lord is our strength!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X4CwGGJQMI

Is the joy of the Lord your strength? Click here for your Joy!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

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

November 7th One Year Bible Readings

2009-11-06T20:00:00-07:00

Ezekiel 16:42-17:24 ~ Hebrews 8:1-13 ~ Psalm 106:13-31 ~ Proverbs 27:7-9
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Ezekiel chapter 16 compares the sins of Jerusalem to those of Sodom! These are bold comparisons, as you know the story of Sodom and the wipeout there. The Israelites were in relationship with God - they should have known better - hence the Sodom comparison. Verse 49 stood out to me in this chapter "Sodom's sins were pride, laziness, and gluttony, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door." The interesting thing to note is that Sodom's social injustice sins are highlighted here - rather that their sexual sins. Sodom was not taking care of the poor. And nor was Jerusalem at this time of the 6th century B.C. What about in our world today? Are there poor and needy suffering outside our door today? Are we not taking care of them because of our pride, laziness, or gluttony? Where is our "door"? Who is our neighbor? What will you do?

Ezekiel chapter 17 is a great story of the two eagles! This is basically a story of the city of Jerusalem's vacillating foreign policy between Babylon and Egypt. The first eagle is King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the treaty Jerusalem makes w/ Babylon is in the story. Then, the second eagle represents a pharaoh from Egypt, whom Jerusalem makes another treaty with subsequently, which goes against Babylon. The bad part of this is that the Babylon treaty was sworn to by the king of Jerusalem/Judah in the Lord's name - then broken. This is a very bad idea to swear something in the Lord's name and then not uphold it... Below is a map to give you a quick snapshot of the Babylonian empire, Judah, and Egypt at this time:

The close of this chapter is phenomenal when it takes a Messianic turn, foreshadowing Jesus in verses 22 and 23: "And the Sovereign LORD says: I will take a tender shoot from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel's highest mountain. It will become a noble cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter beneath its branches." Do these verses sound like Jesus to you?

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 8 is awesome in that it dives into some verses we read recently in the book of Jeremiah about the new covenant! Verse 3 stands out: "And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too." What was the offering Christ made for our sins? Verse 13 stands out too: "When God speaks of a new covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and ready to be put aside." Something I learned recently - the old / first covenant referred to in this chapter is the "Sinaitic" covenant and not the Abrahamic covenant - the difference being not the promise to Abraham that his descendants will outnumber the stars in the sky and God will be our God and we his people (the Abrahamic covenant) - but the "Sinaitic" covenant are the laws given to Moses on Mt. Sinai and in the desert for how the Israelites were to live - including how priests would make sacrifices for sin. The Abrahamic covenant still stands today - the Sinaitic covenant is now out of date and ready to be put aside because it was completed by the new covenant of Jesus Christ. Our High Priest who offered His life for our lives.

Psalms - Today in Psalm 106:19-21 we read: “At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal. They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt.” This of course sounds very familiar to Romans chapter 1 verses 22 and 23: "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." Was this wise that the Israelites exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull? Why did they do this? What should have been their Glory? What is your Glory today? Do you, at times, exchange your true Glory for something else? Is this wise? Are you forgetting the God who saved you? The God who has done great things for you? Please don’t ever exchange the true Glory for a false idol!

Verse 13 in this Psalm also stands out: "Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn't wait for his counsel!" Is this true of us? Do we forget or take for granted all of the blessings God has poured out into our lives? In doing so, do we decide to take matters into our own hands - not waiting on God's counsel for our direction? Will we remember? Will we wait? Patiently...?

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 27 verse 8 we read: "A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from its nest." Where is our spiritual home? Who is our spiritual home? Have we strayed from our spiritual nest? As I read this I of course think about our relationship with Jesus first - and then manifestation of his body in the local church as being our spiritual home. And I realize that if I do not attend church on a weekly basis, I am like a bird straying from its nest. Our prime home is Jesus – we do not want to stray from our relationship with Him, ever. It’s far too risky to do so, for obvious reasons. But I think we can sometimes feel like we don’t need Jesus’ body, his church. We feel like we can do life fine without church. I submit to you that this is far too risky of a way to live life. I am just afraid that if we stray away from the nest of our local church, then we are at risk of potentially straying away from Jesus. We need the church. We need Jesus. Are you going to church each week these days? Do you think you should? If there is one thing I can encourage you on, almost more than anything, is to please find a local church where Jesus is clearly the cornerstone and the Bible is clearly taught. And then please do not stray away from that nest. . . I cannot encourage you enough on this point. I love the church so very much. I pray that you do as well. (It brings tears to my eyes to even try to think of my life without the church – I cannot imagine it. I pray this is the case for you as well . . .)

YouTube - Today's Proverb reminds me of the very last song in the play Les Miserables, "Do You Hear the People Sing." Enjoy this live version!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCYr8TWAGn0

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

November 6th One Year Bible Readings

2009-11-05T20:00:00-07:00

Ezekiel 14:12-16:41 ~ Hebrews 7:18-28 ~ Psalm 106:1-12 ~ Proverbs 27:4-6
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - I am fascinated by God's words in Ezekiel chapter 14 verses 13 & 14 today: "Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord." The first thing these verses tell us is that God's judgment upon Jerusalem at this time was certain. Even the righteousness of Noah, Daniel, and Job couldn't change that - only these 3 men would have been saved. However, this got me thinking. Is it possible that sometimes today we try to build up our own righteousness to ensure our own salvation and basically do nothing to try to build up others righteousness and help them toward their salvation? Meaning, do we sometimes retreat into a "Christian bubble" and ignore the rest of "the world." Leave them to their own devices. It just made me think when reading about Noah, Daniel, and Job that my hunch is that these 3 would not just chill out and relax in the glory and certitude of their own righteousness. My hunch is that they would get out there on the streets and try to save others. So, what about you and me? Are we just cocooning in our own righteousness and salvation, or are we taking salvation to the streets? Are we retreating from the battle for others' salvation or are we engaged in it? What say you?

Ezekiel chapter 14 verse 23 tells us today: "When you meet them and see their behavior, you will agree that these things are not being done to Israel without cause, says the Sovereign LORD." I think sometimes we can read some select verses in the Old Testament out of context and think God is being harsh. God here reminds us that he is not being harsh without cause. And we'll see more of the cause in chapter 16 today... Below is an image of Ezekiel prophesying to the elders who visited him in chapter 14 verse 1:

Ezekiel chapter 15 is an interesting one for me today, where God basically calls Jerusalem a useless grape vine. In reading this I am also reminded that Jesus in John 15 uses the grape vine analogy again saying "I am the vine and you are the branches." This tells me that Jesus redeems even useless grape vines! :) However, using this Ezekiel analogy, are we growing in our lives like trees or like vines? How thick are your roots? How solid is your core?

Ezekiel chapter 16 is a fascinating and sad look at the city of Jerusalem. This is the first time I have really spent a little bit of time with this chapter. The question I find for myself in reading this chapter is this: has God blessed us similarly in some ways that he blessed Jerusalem? Have we, perhaps, in some ways used the blessings that God has given us in improper ways? Verse 6 in this chapter stood out to me: "But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, `Live!'" Bible commentaries suggest that this one word - Live! - is God's basic desire for all humans. How powerful is that realization? How very beautiful... Live! Let us Live!

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 7 verse 27 teaches us today: "Jesus does not need to offer sacrifices every day like the other high priests. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people." I hadn't really thought a lot about this before. In the Old Testament the Levitical priests had to offer sacrifices first for their own sins - and then they would be clean / pure enough to offer sacrifices for others sins. The good news of course in the New Testament and in this chapter is that we now have the perfectly clean and pure High Priest of Jesus Christ - who does not need to purify himself first! He never sinned. Will you take your sins to Jesus, your High Priest?

Psalms - Psalm 106 is a repentive Psalm, likely written by a Levitical priest after returning to Jerusalem after its destruction. Verse 2 stood out to me today - "Who can list the glorious miracles of the LORD? Who can ever praise him half enough?" Can you list all of the glorious miracles of God? Can anyone? Are you praising God today? Every day?

Verse 3 is powerful- "Happy are those who deal justly with others and always do what is right." I think this is such an important thing to know - we will be happy when we deal justly with others and when we do what is right. This is happiness. Not money or fame or power or luxuries. Dealing justly with others and doing what is right is happiness. So, Biblically, are you happy?

Proverbs - Proverbs 27 verse 6 is an interesting one. And indeed true. "Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy." Why should we watch out for many kisses from an enemy? Let us thank God for a friend who will speak truth into our life! Even if it hurts at first to hear it. Think about this - is someone being a better friend to you if they tell you a truth about your life that may wound you - or if they say nothing at all and let you keep on keepin' on with something wrong you may be doing? Let us embrace and welcome truthful wounds from our friends! We need this type of iron sharpening iron. Sometimes we need to be lovingly and truthfully wounded by our friends to grow closer to God.

Worship God: Ezekiel 16:6's call to "Live!" reminded me of Casting Crowns wonderful worship tune called "Lifesong." Let this be our prayer today - "Let my lifesong sing to you!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEwB0pkes7U

Is your lifesong singing to God? Click here and start singing!

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

November 5th One Year Bible Readings

2009-11-04T20:00:00-07:00

Ezekiel 12:1-14:11 ~ Hebrews 7:1-17 ~ Psalm 105:37-45 ~ Proverbs 27:3
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Ezekiel chapter 12 today reminds me that sometimes in my own life I believe God sends some signs and warnings and I, like the Israelites in exile in Babylon, can be a rebel. I ignore the signs and warnings or think - oh, that won't come to pass for a long time... Do you suppose this is wise? Is there a sign or a warning God may be sending your way in your life currently? Will you listen and obey? Will you pay attention to God's warning signs in your life?

I love the story of Ezekiel packing up his pack in broad daylight and leaving through a hole in his house during the evening in chapter 12 today! In verse 7 we read - "So I did as I was told. In broad daylight I brought my pack outside, filled with the things I might carry into exile. Then in the evening while the people looked on, I dug through the wall with my hands and went out into the darkness with my pack on my shoulder."

It is interesting that in chapter 12 God says three times: "Then you/they will know that I am the LORD!" Why do you think he repeats this three times in this chapter? Should this be a statement we should consider in our own lives? Who is the Lord of your life - yourself or God? Do you know that God is the Lord? Is God consistently in the very center of your life?

Ezekiel chapter 13 verse 2 stood out to me today: "Son of man, speak against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Tell them to listen to the word of the LORD." Do we see this in our world today? People inventing their own prophecies? Inventing their own religions? Picking and choosing what philosophies they like the best? Do we do this? Should we be listening instead to the Word of the Lord? Are you actively involved in a church where the Word is clearly taught and Jesus is clearly the cornerstone?

Ezekiel 14 verse 3 I believe can definitely speak to us today: "Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that lead them into sin." This is scary to think about... Have we set up idols in our hearts? Have we embraced things that lead us into sin? Think this is a good idea... ? Can we turn these idols in our hearts over to the Lord? It is my hunch that an idol set up in our hearts is one of the toughest things to get rid of. We need Jesus in our lives to free us idols. Will you let Jesus remove any idol that is in your heart this very day? Please don't let that idol hang around in your heart any longer...

New Testament - Hebrews Chapter 7 is fascinating! It's basically an argument for why Jesus is our High Priest today - even though he is not from the tribe of Levi - the tribe of priests. Instead, the author of Hebrews argues that Jesus is immortal and is a priest in the line of Melchizedek. Most commentators I have read have said that Jesus is not Melchizedek nor vice versa. Basically, the author is making the case for the New Covenant - New Testament - that the Levitical priesthood line is completed by Jesus who is instituting a new covenant with Jesus as our High Priest. We need no other. We can go directly to God through Jesus. Do you believe this? Do you practice this? Do you pray in Jesus' name? The name of our High Priest in heaven!

Psalms - Psalm 105 wraps up the book of Exodus Cliff Notes version today, with a great closing verse 45 - "All this happened so they would follow his principles and obey his laws. Praise the LORD!" Indeed, praise the Lord!

Proverbs - Proverbs 27:3 teaches us today: "A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier." This is a great reminder that carrying resentment in our hearts is a heavy burden we don't need to bear! Are there any burdens in your heart today that you will let Jesus take from you? Will you reach out to Jesus and let Him heal your burden?

Worship God: This beautiful image directly above reminded me of the Jars of Clay song "I Need You." Can you imagine yourself reaching out to Jesus like this woman? Can you sing right now to Jesus "I Need You?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i7kV-K-w0A

Do you need God? Click here to get your need fulfilled!

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

November 4th One Year Bible Readings

2009-11-03T20:00:00-07:00

Ezekiel 10:1-11:25 ~ Hebrews 6:1-20 ~ Psalm 105:16-36 ~ Proverbs 27:1-2
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Ezekiel's vision of the Lord in Jerusalem continues today in chapters 10 and 11 as the glory of the Lord first leaves the Temple and then leaves Jerusalem completely! This is a big deal as the glory of the Lord had pretty much been in the Temple since it's construction. We are also visited by the cherubim again in these chapters - check out the November 1st readings calendar link below/left for more commentary on the cherubim. I really like this artwork by Priscilla Silver called "The Four Faced Cherubim" -

Today in chapter 11 verse 13 we read - "While I was still speaking, Pelatiah son of Benaiah suddenly died. Then I fell face down in the dust and cried out, "O Sovereign LORD, are you going to kill everyone in Israel?""

Chapter 11 verses 19 & 20 stood out to me today, with a message for the exiles in Babylon - "I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God." How are our hearts today? Are they tender? Single in their focus on God? Do we have a new Spirit within us?

New Testament - Hebrews Chapter 6 verse 1 definitely stood out today: "So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God." I think sometimes we can get too caught up on the basics of Christianity and then never really grow in our faith. I do believe God is calling us first and foremost to come into relationship with Him through faith in his son Jesus. But, after that, let us grow! Let us no longer conform to our worldly ways and passions, even though we now have faith in Jesus. Let us become saints. Let us love and serve God, other people, and the poor more and more with each passing day. Let us go on and become mature in our understanding! Let us move forward from always being "disciples" to becoming "apostles." How is your spiritual growth these days? Are you growing? Do you want to grow?

In verses 7 & 8 today we read: "When the ground soaks up the rain that falls on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has the blessing of God. But if a field bears thistles and thorns, it is useless. The farmer will condemn that field and burn it."

Verse 18 is awesome: "Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence." Have you fled to Jesus for refuge? Are you holding on to God's promise with confidence?

Psalms - Psalm 105's verses today give us a good Cliff Notes version of the end of the book of Genesis and beginning of the book of Exodus!

Proverbs - Proverbs verse 1 today is fantastic: "Don't brag about tomorrow, since you don't know what the day will bring." Indeed, don't brag about tomorrow - each day is such a blessing to be thankful for. Live for today. With Jesus. And don't brag about tomorrow!

Today in Proverbs 27:2 we read: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.” How often do we heap praise on ourselves? Maybe even in our own minds, if not verbally? Where does our strength and wisdom and achievements truly come from? Is the Lord your strength? If we are praised by others, do we accept the praise into our own hearts? Or, do we share with the person giving the praise, where the praise truly should be directed? Psalm 115 verse 1 wisely reminds us - “Not to us O Lord, Not to us – but to your name be the Glory.” Amen!

Worship God: Proverbs 27:2 reminded me of the Aaron Shust song "To God Alone be the Glory." Here's a live version of Aaron showing how to play the song. Wait for the 2:23 mark in the video when Aaron will play the full song. Great song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71x_YX6k0Sc

Do you give God all your glory? Click here to get to know your Glory!

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