September 18th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 28:14-30:11 ~ Galatians 3:23-4:31 ~ Psalm 62:1-12 ~ Proverbs 23:19-21
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Old Testament - Today the Lord continues his messages of woe against Jerusalem and Judah through the prophet Isaiah!

Isaiah chapter 29 verses 15 and 16 I found to be so powerful to consider... "Destruction is certain for those who try to hide their plans from the LORD, who try to keep him in the dark concerning what they do! "The LORD can't see us," you say to yourselves. "He doesn't know what is going on!" How stupid can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you. You are only the jars he makes! Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it, "He didn't make us"? Does a jar ever say, "The potter who made me is stupid"?"  How true are these words?  Have you ever tried to hide your plans from God?  Did it work out?  How apropos the point in verse 16 is where some people said: "God didn't make us!"  Ever hear words like this today from others?  How sad is this?  Will you pray for others in your life today who may feel that God didn't make them?  Will you pray for those in your life today that do not believe in God?  Will you pray for them to learn that indeed the potter who made them is not stupid?  Will you pray that they learn that the Potter who made them is God who loves them so very dearly!

New Testament - I love Paul's teachings today in Galatians chapter 4 verses 3 through 7! "And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father. Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you."  Do you believe these teachings of Paul's to be true?  Are you a child of God?  Has God sent the Spirit of Jesus into your heart?  Do you today call God your dear Father?  Do you believe that everything God has belongs to you because you are his child?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Galatians titled "The Contribution of the Mosaic Covenant" is at this link, "The Inferiority of Immaturity" is at this link, and "Paul Gets Personal" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Galatians 3:28 from today's readings:

Psalms - Today we read in Psalm 62 verse 11 - "God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you." This is a powerful verse - no pun intended. . .  :)  Really, think about it. Where does power come from? Who gives power? Who takes it away? I think it is such a blessing when we truly understand this verse and then live it out. When we realize that we really have no power of our own. Any power - any thing - we have comes from God and God alone. And thank God for that. It's when we start believing we create or own or control power that we begin to get prideful or we'll misuse the power given to us. I think a great teaching on where power truly comes from comes from Jesus when he is before Pilate in John chapter 19 verses 10 & 11 - "“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above."" Where do you think your power to do anything at all comes from? Do you believe it was given to you from above? If so, how might truly realizing this change how you live your life? How might it change how you utilize the power given to you?  Below is a great image for verses 7 and 8 from Psalm 62:

Proverbs - Today's Proverbs verses 19-21 in chapter 23 are very applicable to each of our lives today in this modern world... "My child, listen and be wise. Keep your heart on the right course. Do not carouse with drunkards and gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty. Too much sleep clothes a person with rags." How do these verses speak to you?  Is your heart on the right course?  Do you avoid carousing with drunkards & gluttons?  Think this Proverb has some value for our lives today in this modern world?  Is gluttony or drinking at times portrayed as "good" or hip or cool in our world today...?  Do you realize the danger and poverty that this lifestyle can lead to?

Worship God: I'm not 100% sure how to tie this song into today's readings, other than I think the line of "I did not make it, though it is making me" is a great reminder of us being made by the Potter per our Isaiah readings.  This song came to mind because K-LOVE radio did a tribute to Rich Mullins last year.  Anyone else catch this tribute?  Great stuff!  Here's Rich Mullins' classic song "Creed":

Do believe in God the Father?  Click here and get to know the Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth!

Book Recommendation:  I'm going to go out on a limb here with a book recommendation for a book that I have not yet read.  I own it!  :)  But haven't yet found the time to read it.  This book did come highly recommended to me by a trusted friend. The book is called "Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven" by James Bryan Smith.  The book is described as a "devotional biography," giving readers an insight into Rich's life, but more importantly, allowing the readers to learn what was most important to Rich - urging people to draw near to God.  If anyone has read this book, please post up reviews in the Comments section below for others?  Thanks.

Comments from You:  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

[Anka]

10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!
I am still in a dilema about certain things...one of them is the sabbath.Now I'm thinking,maybe now it's a choice ...before to be righteous you had to keep the law..now if you want to observe certain days,it's up to you...it doesn't give you points with God though....still trying to figure the sabbath out.
"13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn."
It can be aparently unconvincing to an unbeliever that our God's a kind,loving father when we go around ill or have some problem or the other.Yet this is such a proof that we don't have to convince anyone or try to market the gospel....all we have to do is speak as God leads us to...the rest is up to Him.In some christian circles,if you're sick that means you lack faith...it can be comforting to see another sick saint giving glory to God and still confident that he's still on the right track with God.
God bless you all

[Sue]

24These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.

My Comments: I had always thought we should be supporting the Jews in maintaining their inheritance in Israel, yet this text makes me think we are placing our confidence in "real estate," and that all of us have an inheritance in--in the City of God, in the heavenly Jerusalem.

[R]

Isaiah 28:14-30:11

Judah nor Israel didn’t even listen to God much less obey. Yet, like us they went to “church” and “worshiped,” they said their prayers, but God comes at them and says,
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. (Isaiah 29:13-14 KJV)

There is obedience in appearance only; there is worship in appearance only. Did they categorize the laws they broke into big, little and colossal sins. Was their a difference between a “white” lie and one with a darker hue and were they quick to point that fact out especially when caught?

When I read about the sins of Israel, the sins of Jacob, do I cast a blind eye to those same sins that I have hidden in my heart? Let’s face it we are a rebellious people, I am rebellious; looking, seeking and searching to find ways to get what I want when I want it. Today, as I walked the sixty blocks to my subway stop, bypassing convenient ones along the way, I observed a yearly event taking place on the streets of New York City, built up traffic and disobedient pedestrians and drivers, most not listening, definitely not obeying the large contingent of police officers along my route.

This is the week the United Nations General Assembly meets, heads of state, cordoned off streets, a parade of large SUV filled with Secret Service agents carrying automatic weapons wearing bulletproof vests under their suits. NYPD (New York Police Department) in cars, motorcycles and on foot trying to block and direct traffic as each contingent from a multitude of nations is ferried back and forth, cross-town, to and from the U.N. With all that fire power, with all the sirens wailing and lights flashing, with the verbal directions and whistle blowing—people refuse to listen, they refuse to obey.

Blacks, whites, Asians, young, old, expensive suits, or cheap jeans frayed and dirty—we all refuse to listen, to obey, to stop. The laws, the commands are for someone else because I have to be somewhere, go somewhere—they are not for me. I watched in horror as a young woman, obviously coming from work ran across the street as a fast moving motorcade barreled toward her after being told to wait. I saw a woman in her car waiting at a traffic light with cell phone to her ear. In NYC it is illegal to drive using holding a cell phone and talking. She continued to talk as cops all around her yelled for her to get off the phone. She was on one of the streets that had to be cleared at a moments notice in case a head of state was coming through. She would not get off the phone until the phone was snatched out of her hand by one of the men yelling for her to get off the phone.

Believers, Christians may think, assume, build up images made of deceit and lies, that they are obeying God. Yet as many people as I saw outright disobey law enforcement offices in such a short time, the law of averages says that some had to be Believers. If we cannot obey those charged for keeping us safe who are standing in front of us, do we really believe that we are truly obeying God, who we cannot see?

My walk today was very convicting.

[Vance]

Isaiah 29 (NKJV)
13
Therefore the Lord said: “ Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
14
Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”

NOTE:
I constantly have to resist the temptation to live like an atheist. I really like this comment from Jeremiah 17: “The natural mind of fallen humanity places its confidence in man (usually, in themselves). The flesh of every born again believer in Jesus Christ is tempted to place trust in the same direction. This brings a very serious spiritual curse.”

Jeremiah Contrasting the Two Options on Trust
Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:5-8a)

Jeremiah also offers insight into living by grace as he contrasts the two options on trust. When it comes to where we will place out trust, there are basically only two choices: man or God. This choice is a critical one, because one is a curse, and the other is a blessing. "Cursed is the man who trusts in man... Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD."

The natural mind of fallen humanity places its confidence in man (usually, in themselves). The flesh of every born again believer in Jesus Christ is tempted to place trust in the same direction. This brings a very serious spiritual curse. "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength." When we exercise dependence upon man, we can only draw upon fleshly resources for strength. This amounts to a departure from the Lord in whom we are to trust: "whose heart departs from the LORD." The Lord is the only source of all true blessings. Consequently, to trust in man results in a curse.

The curse that results from depending upon human resources (ours or others) is barrenness of life, spiritually speaking. "For he shall be like a shrub in the desert." A desert shrub represents the antithesis of abundant spiritual life. It is the picture of a plant that is barely surviving. Desert shrubs are typically sparse in growth and lacking in fruitfulness. A person who trusts in flesh is like this shrub. Also, he will not see good days of bountiful vitality. "For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes." People who trust in the fallen resources of man never do really see days that God's word would call good. Rather, they dwell in spiritual conditions that are like salty soil, wastelands, scorched land, incapable of habitation: "but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited." Such living is a cursed spiritual existence of carnal desolation.

Yet, there is a fully effective option by which such barrenness can be avoided. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD."

Dear Lord, I confess that I have often trusted in myself. I agree with Your word that the flesh always brings the curse of spiritual barrenness. I have found the same is true when I place my hope in others. Lord, teach me to trust in You, that I might know the blessedness of having Your grace as my resource, Amen.

Vance

[R]

Isaiah 28:14-30:11

As I read through the readings yesterday and today, my thoughts went to the words of Paul,

But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done. (1 Corinthians 3:12-13 AMP)

The messages given to Isaiah about the destruction of the nations and Israel seems to me to be based on the concept Paul speaks about. Anything that is not of God will be destroyed because it is only the things of God that will last. Some try to build the things of God upon a foundation that is constructed of ungodly thinking. There is a throught that all we have to do is build our new lives upon old sinful ways, it won’t work. The new ways we try to walk in without allowing God to build a firm foundation will crush the things we gained when we built relationships, jobs, careers on old dirty sinful foundations.

I’ve also picked up a common thread of “Truth” running through today’s readings. Near the end of today’s reading in Isaiah 30 is this:

They tell the prophets, "Shut up! We don't want any more of your reports." They say, "Don't tell us the truth. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies. Forget all this gloom. We have heard more than enough about your `Holy One of Israel.' We are tired of listening to what he has to say." (Isaiah 30:10-11 NLT.)

I may have asked this rhetorical question before but what is it about Truth that we humans don’t want to face? Why do we love to dwell on lies? Anything built on a lie will collapse.

Galatians 3:23-4:31

Under that same theme of Truth, or the rejection of Truth, Paul ask the Galatians about their perception of someone who brings them Truth,

Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth? (Gal 4:16) We are so ready to believe what we want to hear instead of what is true. We want to take in a lie rather then deal with the truth.

In the third chapter there is a statement that all who suffer from an identity crises, those who want to be like “Mike” and anyone else other than what God made you really should study and mediate on verses 27-29,

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians--you are one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you.

Love who you are; find your purpose and stick to it. Emulation, envy, “star worship” or idolization and imitation of others is a “Work of the Flesh” (Gal 5:18-21).

Galatians 3:27-29 was one of the three passages that shook me to my core and freed me from self-hatred and my strong desire to be someone other than what God made me when I first began reading through the Bible seventeen plus years ago. We use the phrase, “Read it and weep” sometimes when we prove ourselves right about something in the face of fierce opposition; but I actually read that passage and wept for hours. It was one of the most freeing things that has ever happened to after accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Psalm 62:1-12
1
I wait quietly before God,
for my salvation comes from him.
2
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will never be shaken.
3
So many enemies against one man--
all of them trying to kill me.
To them I'm just a broken-down wall
or a tottering fence.
4
They plan to topple me from my high position.
They delight in telling lies about me.
They are friendly to my face,
but they curse me in their hearts.
5
I wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
6
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.

Here again we focus on Truth. David allows the lies told about him by his enemies to be countered by God’s Truth as he waits quietly before God. I’m assuming or either interjecting my understanding of “waiting quietly before God.” Doesn’t it mean that he did not counter his enemies’ accusations with his own brand of self-defense and loud arguments?

When we are in God’s fortress while we wait for Him to take care of those who are out to get us, we will probably still hear the threats and the rattling of sabers in our ears which may cause us to think that God is not protecting us. Yet just like the shadow of death, or the shadow of a dog may appear to be dangerous, we must remember that the shadow of a dog has never bitten anyone, nor the loud boisterous voices of fire-breathing threats has ever physically done anyone harm when we run to the Name of the Lord which is our High Tower.

Proverbs 23:19-21

Today’s three verses are another reminder of what happens if we lay down with dirty dogs. We will rise up with fleas, lots of them.

[luciano Del Monte]

In the midst of some heavy duty 'ranting' on Paul's part in Galatians it's easy to lose sight of Paul's love for these relatively new, non Jewish converts to Christ. he is so 'in love' with them that he appeals by saying in Gal 4:12 "i plead with you, brother and sisters, become like me,for i became like you...." Paul came to them as a brother and also as a 'father' but they were drifting. We would do well to learn from Paul's passion for the people he was mentoring, discipling and nurturing. People can and do go astray , and God uses the likes of us to restore them. He will pick up the same idea in Gal 6:1-2 when he will encourage those who are 'spiritual' to restore erring brothers/sisters back into community. Let's all become as people centered as Paul was in his ministry. And he was able to people focused because he was Christ obsessed and had the same passions Jesus had for people.

[Martha]

I did happen to catch the tribute to Rich Mullins. What a talent!! I can't believe it's been 10 years since he died. Though he's gone, he's not forgotten.

[John]

Gal 3:26-27
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

In our salvation, we have become sons of God and co-heirs to heaven. Paul seems to have in mind the Roman customs for "coming of age". There was no set time - the roman father determined when the child was ready to come into his standing as his son. In the ceremony, the child toga was exchanged for an adult toga, and the child was now declared a full son with inheritance rights. Instead of a toga, we are clothed in Christ. As God looks at us - he does not see our former rebellious selves, but He sees Christ and righteousness (justification) is imputed upon us.
======================================================
Gal 4
'Slaves and minor children are each under restrictions; they are buffeted by narrowness, requirements, and rules. There is no real difference. In each case you are not yet what you are intended to be. You have not had the experience of God's acting on your behalf to create a life of maturity and freedom.

Slaves and minor children require the intervention of God. Maturity requires purposeful intervention. God legally adopted minor children and made them sons, so that they would become mature heirs. In the same way, in the ordinary course of events slaves don't become free unless somebody intervenes.' (see link)

God has intervened in a "believer's" life. God has drawn us to Him, and through Jesus Christ we are sons of God. We no longer are of the world and enemies of God, now we have a "special relationship" as His children - He is 'Abba, our Father'.

[“Abba is an Aramaic affectionate diminutive for ‘father’ used in the intimacy of the family circle; it passed without change into the vocabulary of Greek-speaking Christians” (Fung)]

This relationship is or at least should be - very special. God is not some distant deity that plays power games or is austere and above the Christian. He is our "Father". We may be mature sons, but we are still a long way from being conformed in the image of Christ. Just as a child/teen needs for his earthly father to show him the way to becoming a "mature" adult - we NEED the Father in heaven to guide us, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, in our walk to Christian maturity and finally glorification with Him in heaven.

We need to rely on, depend on, and trust in the Father that His ways are good, and he will lovingly do what is necessary to bring us along. We do not pray to a distant dispassionate God - but to Abba our Father.

Going back to the old ways under the law is as if an adult goes back to his parents and wants the curfews, allowances, and his old bedroom back from his childhood. Why would you want to do that??????
======================================================
Gal 4:12
"I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong."

Paul became like them in the sense that they were Gentiles originally not bound under the law. The Galatians need to become like Paul, in the sense that:
Paul follows Christ, is consistent in his walk, and in being free in Jesus (from the law).

There is an implied need here - that once a Christian, one needs to be involved (not exclusively) in a community of other believers. There is great joy in this - by the encouragement to each other, the love for one another, and the guidance provided by more mature Christians.

The false apostles are very zealous. Zeal by itself means nothing - a lot of people are zealous about their false beliefs in God - does not make them right. We should have zeal for God's Word, and for those that teach the "truth".

Paul is perplexed. "Something unnatural has happened – the Galatians are drifting away from Jesus and to the law. So Paul has to labor in birth again, and this is unnatural to have labor pains a second time." - David Guzik

We should be on a Christian walk not going back to the beginning again.
======================================================
Hagar and Sara example is pretty straight forward.

Gal 4:30
"But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."

Using symbolism here - if the people under slavery to the law are not going to inherit the promise, why would you want to do the rituals and/or practices of these enslaved people? But recognize we are children of the free woman - inheritors of the promise and depend on the promise and the Father for your Christian walk of sanctification unto glorification. Get rid of the rituals and practices of the enslaved people.

link to good commentary:
of Gal 4:1-11
http://www.pbc.org/library/files/html/4688.html

[John]

Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed.

whether this is referring to Christ's first or second coming - as always God is consistent.

Those that rely On Chrit and trust in Him will never be dismayed over salvation - we will be with the Father.

In that day - those that trust in Christ will not be dismayed they will be protected and preserved.
======================================================
Isaiah 29:18-19
In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll,
and out of gloom and darkness
the eyes of the blind will see.

Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD;
the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Another foreshadowing of salvation. Those that are humble before the Lord and needy (in that they know they are sinners and cannot attain salvation by anything they do before God) - these people formerly deaf and blind will hear and see His Word and will rejoice in their salvation that comes from the Lord - the Holy one of Israel.

Those that are not humble and needy,in that day, will also realize the truth - but it will be too late - their judgment will be eternal separation from God. This happens because they never came to God and confessed Christ with the proper heart - one that is humble and needy.

[So hard for man to think of himself as humble and needy (too much pride). however when God draws and the Holy Spirit softens the heart - through God one can become humble and needy.]

Salvation is God's work: it is about Him - not us.

I heard the tribute to Rich Mullans and thought it was wonderful. If those interviews with him are any indication of what the book will hold I know I will want to read it. He has such beautiful, inspiring songs and testimonies. Love in Christ, Karen

[Lori]

Is anybody out there? I have been reading this blog all year and just noticed the year on the postings is 2007. I suddenly feel all alone. I feel like what was alive is now...not. Hello? Mike? John? Vance? R?

[shelley]

I'm here :) reading right along, although I haven't been reading the blog, but plan to start back again. I do read/listen to the OYB everyday, so I am reading along with everyone. Love God's Word!! Love Him, amazed that He loves me...blessed be His Name.

[Jamie]

All THat I can say is wow!