October 19th One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 33:1-34:22 ~ 1 Timothy 4:1-16 ~ Psalm 89:1-13 ~ Proverbs 25:23-24
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Today in our readings we get the famous Jeremiah 33:3 verse: "'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'" (NIV)  Why is this verse famous?  I know pastors have preached on it.  And, well, because it was on the cover of the U2 album "All That You Can't Leave Behind."  :)  Check out the cover photo below and you'll see the guys in the band standing beneath a sign in an airport that has been altered to read J33-3. Bono has said that J33-3 is God's phone number.  I like that!  Who knew that God has a phone number?

And now back to our regularly scheduled blog... :) Verses 15 & 16 are powerful Messianic verses, harkening back to Jeremiah 23:6 (The Lord Our Righteousness): "In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness."

Verse 22 is a great verse echoing the covenant promises to Abraham: "I will make the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister before me as countless as the stars of the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore."

Verse 18 threw me for a loop initially, trying to figure out how this could still be - "nor will the priests, who are Levites, ever fail to have a man to stand before me continually to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to present sacrifices.'" I wondered - where are the Levites today? Fortunately, I read a commentary that set me straight - Jesus is fulfilling this ministry for us today! Jesus is our Levitical priest standing before God continually. Beautiful, eh?  Do you consider Jesus to be your High Priest?

Jeremiah chapter 34 is interesting with the freedom for the slaves - and then the reversal of that decision. Could this story remind us of our lives at times? Do we sometimes promise God that we'll do something he wants us to do? Maybe even start to do it? And then change our minds?  Why are we not consistent with what we tell God we will do?  Let us pray for consistency in our spiritual walk!

New Testament - Today in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 we will read: “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” How are you doing on training yourself to be godly? Do you believe this is something you can be trained in? Are you practicing spiritual disciplines on a regular basis? Spiritual disciplines might include: prayer, journaling, quiet time, fasting, retreats, Sabbaths, reading the Bible :), to name a few. If you’d like to learn more about Spiritual Disciplines, I recommend that you pick up Richard Foster’s book “Celebration of Discipline.”

Psalms - Psalm 89 verse 11 is so powerful for us to remember - "The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours--you created it all."  Everything in this world is God's.  Everything.  This means every single person we meet is God's.  However... they might not realize it.  But, I think it is important for us to remember that every single person we meet - no matter how "bad" they may seem or whatever - is still made in the image of God.  And there is the possibility of that person getting to know they are God's.  There is the possibility of redemption - not by our human power, but by the power of God.  I think sometimes we go through our day thinking the world is bad.  People are bad.  It all is bad.  And certainly, it is a fallen world.  But it is still God's world - and yes, the devil is thrashing around his temptations as rapidly as he can in the hearts of men and women.  This is the great spiritual battle.  But, God is so much stronger than the devil.  The name of Jesus expels the devil quicker than anything.   So, know that while we are in a fallen world, it is God's world.  Everything in this world is God's.  What are you and I doing to let others know that they are God's - particularly if they don't know it?  What are we doing to bless others with the knowledge that there is another Way than the devil's temptations in this world?  What are we doing?  Really.  What are we doing with our lives to let others know about Jesus?  Whew... this one gets to me for some reason.  There are people suffering so much in our world.  If only they knew there was another way....   Will you help to show them to the Way?

Continuing on the thoughts in the paragraph above - take a moment to reflect on this image below.  Wow... Can you make out the angel on the right coming from the prayers of the woman to defend her from the evil one?  Who are we praying for today to defend them from the evil one?

Proverbs - Today's Proverbs chapter 25 verses 23 & 24 teach us: "As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger! It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home." These verses are great teachings of - 1. don't gossip.  2. don't be contentious.  Or if you are a gossip or if you are contentious, then you just might find your spouse hiding from you in the attic...  :)

YouTube:  I've had a lot of great conversations lately with people about the power of not only reading Scripture, but actually listening to it!  I know many of you are following along in our One Year Bible readings using the Bible on Radio link on the left or are listening on Bible Gateway.  I just came across this YouTube video below for a new audio version of the entire Bible that was just released by Zondervan called "The Bible Experience."  It looks great!  Has anyone listened to any of The Bible Experience yet?   Reviews?  Also, does anyone have any other audio Bible versions you could recommend in the Comments section below?  Thanks!

Please join me in memorizing 2 verses of Scripture today:
"Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:7-8 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

Comments

[Andrew]

Tim 4:1-2: "...some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars,.." (NIV)

Rather explicit that demons can work through people. I guess it puts us on our guard to maintain our spiritual discernment of the teachers we follow.

[R]

Ahhh, apart from God everything is dead---but we serve a God that majors in resurrected lives; resurrected relationships; resurrected communities. The things that have been burnt up, crushed down and flatten because they became marred in the Potter’s Hands, God reworks—brings back to life, Hallelujah. Not only is our Lord and Savior resurrected and no longer on the cross; but the mercies of God give us assurance that the dead things will be brought back to life.

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword; They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but it is to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city. Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. (Jer 33:1-7)

[Maribel]

We need to pray for worldwide revival(2 Chronicles 7:14). We need to spread the gospel everywhere because Jesus will return to reign and he will destroy those who reject him, that's why we need to get people to Christ before it is too late, he's the only way. God doesn't want people to be in darkness any longer. It is up to us to make a difference. For the kingdom of God is within you(Luke 17:21)

[Vance]

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU for this web site.
It is very challenging and encouraging! Again, I want to say: THANK YOU!

In a world where there are no encouragers to really seek God—and even when those closest to me in my family do not encourage me to really seek God—websites like this are a REAL blessing! THANK YOU!

JEREMIAH 33
3
Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here.
17
For this is what the LORD says: David will forever have a descendant sitting on the throne of Israel.
18
And there will always be Levitical priests to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings and sacrifices to me."

JEREMIAH 34
10
The officials and all the people had obeyed the king's command,
11
but later they changed their minds. They took back the people they had freed, making them slaves again.
12
So the LORD gave them this message through Jeremiah:…
16
BUT NOW YOU HAVE SHRUGGED OFF YOUR OATH and defiled my name by taking back the men and women you had freed, making them slaves once again.

I TIMOTHY 4
7
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. SPEND YOUR TIME AND ENERGY IN TRAINING YOURSELF FOR SPIRITUAL FITNESS.
14
DO NOT NEGLECT THE SPIRITUAL GIFT YOU RECEIVED through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.
16
Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you.

~~~

Rees Howells is a wonderful man whose life entered into the victory that Jesus paid for. He not only entered into victory for his life, but for others. For, as the Ascended Lord Jesus is THE intercessor, so Jesus trained Rees Howells to be an intercessor. Rees Howells really is an example of Jeremiah 33:17, 18 – to be a priest always offering sacrifices to Jesus.

“Intercession is not substitution for sin. There has only ever been one substitute for a world of sinners: Jesus the Son of God. But intercession so identifies the intercessor with the sufferer that it gives him a prevailing place with God…”

“Mr. Howells would often speak of ‘the gained position of intercession,’ and the truth of it is obvious on many occasions in his life. It is a fact of experience. The price is paid, the obedience is fulfilled, the inner wrestlings and groanings take their full course, and then ‘the word of the Lord comes.’ The weak channel is clothed with authority by the Holy Ghost and can speak the word of deliverance. ‘Greater works’ are done. Not only this, but a new position in grace is gained and maintained, although even then that grace can only be appropriated and applied in each instance under the guidance of the Spirit.”

MY NOTE:
So, we need to make sure we do not “shrug off” and “neglect” our calling. Rather, by the PERSEVERING grace of God, we can “make our calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10)

VANCE

[Diana]

1Timothy 4:16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

[travelbug]

great post! and yes, I have actually purchased the NT audio of The Bible Experience when it came out last year. I think the full Bible is in stores soon - can't wait for it. The NT was amazing, so I'm excited to have the complete thing.

[Johnnie Ruth Hamill]

The Bible Experience looks interesting! Of course, I was crying when Jesus (Blair
Underwood speaking) was being crucified. Very powerful.

[art]

I have the cd version of "The Bible Experience". It is wonderful, fantastic, great! Although I spend much time each day reading the Word of God, how great it is to listen to the Word as I exercise, drive, or just sit on my porch enjoying time spent outdoors! There are 18 discs in the set covering the entire New Testiment. It is my understanding that 2008 will bring the Old Testiment to "The Bible Experience".

Yes, this audio version has brought a whole new dimension to my study of the Word.

art

[Allie]

Just watching that 10 minute documentary on "The Bible Experience" gave me chills. That was amazing!!!!! I think I might be going to Lifeway tomorrow to purchase it and The One Year Bible for New Believers.

[Paul]

I am writing from the National Youth Workers conference in San Diego and guess what Art - the Bible Experience OT is OUT! I heard some samples from Song of Songs and Genesis and it is incredible, talk about engaging! Denzel and his wife do Song of Songs and if every couple listened to this together I promise you the divorce rate would go down and romance would be rekindled like never before! And Allie, if you don't find the Bible Experience at Lifeway try Family Christian Stores, I saw it in our local FCS and I think it's available on Amazon.com as well.

[yolanda]

I believe these kids are incredible and though I can't afford a penny since I do not have a job or even food stamps I am still lucky I have a roof and a bed to sleep on. I am going to see to it that schools here see this video and show the children how the other world lives. I will try to help somewhat for those children in africa are my brothers and sisters and I must do something or I will have to give account to God about why I did nothing...Anyone wantta join me in buying t shirts braceltes or DVD? I will pass this on to family in the states and hopefully they will also do something Every penny is worth it...

[Chris]

The best audio version of One Year Bible I have found is at http://www.bibleonradio.com/
It is narrated by Tom Dooley. It has comments & scripture. EXCELLENT!

[Jan]

I was surprised that it was suggested by this blog that we should read Richard Foster's book Celebration of Discipline. I argued with my Pastor from a previous church, (years ago) that this was not a book we should be studying. Foster a professor at Friends University...teaches what I call Cosmic Christianity...New Age theology hidden amidst Christian terminology. As far as I'm concerned this is the very thing Paul was talking about in I Timothy 4:1...some shall depart from the faith!