November 15th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 31:1-32:32 ~ Hebrews 12:14-29 ~ Psalm 113:1-114:8 ~ Proverbs 27:18-20
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Old Testament - I think Ezekiel chapter 31 starts out with a trick question from God to Egypt in verse 2: "Son of man, give this message to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and all his people: "To whom would you compare your greatness?""  The proper answer to this question is probably somewhere along the humble lines of, "no one - I am not great at all.  I wouldn't dare compare myself to others.  Everything I am and have comes from you God."  Think Pharaoh would answer the question in this humble way?  :)  Better yet - maybe we should ask ourselves this question today as well.  And think about how we would answer it.  What if someone stops you on the street tomorrow and asks you this question.  What would be your reply?   Here it is.  I ask this of you now: "To whom would you compare your greatness?"

Ezekiel chapters 31 & 32 are great studies on pride... pride of a nation, and pride of individuals.  And the dangers of pride - where pride will ultimately lead someone.   In chapter 32 verse 19 God asks the rhetorical question (not a trick question this time) - "`O Egypt, are you lovelier than the other nations? No! So go down to the pit and lie there among the outcasts.'"  Today in our lives, do we ever struggle with pride?  Do we compare ourselves to others?  Do we consider ourselves lovelier than others?  My hunch is that we too often do...

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 12 verse 14 starts out strong with: "Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord."  I love this!  If we seek to live in peace with everyone and live a clean and holy life people around us will see the Lord.  This is very powerful to think about...  You've probably heard this said before: "You may be the only Bible anyone ever reads".  Or "you may be the only Jesus anyone ever meets."  (not you being Jesus of course, but Christ within you shining through you!)  Are you living in peace with everyone?  Are you seeking to live a clean and holy life?  Are others seeing the Lord in you?  Are others reading the Bible through you?

Verse 28 stands out to me today: "Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe." This is an interesting phrasing - worship God with holy fear and awe.  It reminds me a lot of a lyric in Chris Tomlin's single, "Indescribable."  He sings - "humbly we fall to our knees and say, "you are amazing God!""  That one word "humbly" jumped out at me in this song.  It seems to me that there should be some reverence, holy fear, awe, and humility as we worship God?  And maybe not just take worship and our relationship for God lightly?  But be thankful for the opportunity to worship God?  Just some questions...  Because then verse 29 tells us "For our God is a consuming fire."  Which reminds me of a great Third Day song....  :)

Psalms - Psalm 113 & 114 today are very interesting and important Psalms!  These are 2 of 6 Psalms, 113 to 118, that form the "Egyptian Hallel."  These Psalms were used in Jewish liturgy at the great religious festivals of Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication, Weeks, New Moon.  At Passover Psalm 113 & 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115 - 118 were sung after the meal.  As you read these two Psalms today, do you sense joy in the Lord's work?  Justice?  Glory?  Power?  Does reading these two Psalms make you want to celebrate and give thanks for the Lord and all he has done throughout history and in your life?

Proverbs - This week in Proverbs 27 verse 19 we read: “As water reflects a face, so a person's heart reflects the person.” How is your heart these days? Take a minute and really reflect on this question. How is your heart? Your heart toward others? Toward your family? Toward God? Toward Jesus? Is your heart full of love? Overflowing with love? (if maybe not, please read First Corinthians chapter 13 for a good refresher on love) What is your heart reflecting to others you come in contact with these days? Are you reflecting love to others? Are you reflecting Jesus?

Worship God:  Hebrews 12:29 of course reminded me of the fantastic Third Day song "Consuming Fire:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fK9_7ldUvs

Do you know our God who is a Consuming Fire? Click here for His flame to burn down deep in your soul!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are living at peace with others. Pray that you are pursuing holiness in your life, through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and by His grace. Pray that others see the LORD through your pursuit of holiness and by God's grace.

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

[Mae]

"As water reflects a face, so a person's heart reflects the person." How is your heart these days? Take a minute and really reflect on this question. How is your heart? Your heart toward others? Toward your family? Toward God? Toward Jesus? Is your heart full of love? Overflowing with love?

This really stands out for me today ... I ask myself this question very often, just to be sure that I live with an open and honest heart. My heart towards my family, relatives, God and Jesus is a question that doesn't really have to be asked. Towards them my heart is definitly overflowing with love. Thinking about them makes my heart glow, thinking about them makes me feel happy and I want to treasure them in my heart forever. But then there are people that dislike me or people that I have a heart time liking. I always ask God for strength to love them. He'll help me to love them, He'll help me to find a place in my heart for them. It's not easy, but with God's help I know I can accomplish this. It's important to have a good heart ... indeed, it reflects your person."