Jeremiah 4:19-6:15 + Colossians 1:18-2:7 + Psalm 77:1-20 + Proverbs 24:23-25
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Old Testament - Today in Jeremiah chapter 5 verses 14 through 17 we read God's words to Israel about the coming of the armies of Babylon! "Therefore, this is what the LORD God Almighty says: "Because the people are talking like this, I will give you messages that will burn them up as if they were kindling wood. O Israel, I will bring a distant nation against you," says the LORD. "It is a mighty nation, an ancient nation, a people whose language you do not know, whose speech you cannot understand. Their weapons are deadly; their warriors are mighty. They will eat your harvests and your children's bread, your flocks of sheep and your herds of cattle. Yes, they will eat your grapes and figs. And they will destroy your fortified cities, which you think are so safe."
Per Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion today - "Babylon was indeed an ancient nation. The old Babylonian empire had lasted from about 1900 B.C. to 1550 B.C., and earlier kingdoms had been on her soil as early as 3000 B.C. Babylon in Jeremiah's day would shortly rebel against Assyrian domination, form its own army, conquer Assyria, and become the next dominant world power."
It is very interesting to see the rise of Babylon in history and how God foretold Israel that Babylon was coming. God gave Israel so many chances to repent, but Israel wouldn't. Jeremiah in chapter 6 verses 10 & 11 today tells us - "To whom can I give warning? Who will listen when I speak? Their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. They scorn the word of the LORD. They don't want to listen at all. So now I am filled with the LORD's fury. Yes, I am weary of holding it in!" What about us today - do we listen when God speaks? It is amazing that Israel would not listen to words like these from God in verses 6 through 8 (though... maybe not so amazing... perhaps we can do a good job of ignoring God's words & warnings in our lives today as well...?) - "This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Cut down the trees for battering rams. Build ramps against the walls of Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished, for she is wicked through and through. She spouts evil like a fountain! Her streets echo with the sounds of violence and destruction. Her sickness and sores are ever before me. This is your last warning, Jerusalem! If you do not listen, I will empty the land."
New Testament - I love Paul's teaching about the Christian life in Colossians chapter 1 verse 27 today! "For this is the secret: Christ lives in you, and this is your assurance that you will share in his glory." Were you aware of this secret? Does Christ live in you? Have you accepted Jesus into your life and your heart as your Lord and Savior so that he has your permission - your submission - for Him to live within you? Do you want Jesus to live in you? Do you have assurance that you will share in Jesus' glory for eternity?
Paul's teachings in Colossians chapter 2 verses 6 & 7 definitely stood out to me today: "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done." I absolutely love the thought of letting our roots grow down into Jesus and draw up nourishment from Jesus! Meditate on this thought for a while... I honestly haven't really ever thought about "having roots in Jesus." I mean, I certainly know Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I know Jesus lives within me. And I know the whole Chapter of John 15 about the vine & the branches has gotten me in the past to think about truly being attached to Jesus. But something about these verses from Paul about letting our roots grow down into Jesus really is profound for me today... How deep are your roots in Jesus today? Is there room for growth in your roots? Let us grow! And let us overflow with thankfulness!
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Colossians titled "The Propagation of Christ's Work" is at this link. Below is a powerful image from Colossians 1:18 from today's readings:
Psalms - Today in Psalm 77 verses 11 and 12 we read – “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” I think these verses get at one of the amazing things about each of us reading the One Year Bible this year – both the Old & New Testaments. We are reading perhaps for the first time – or maybe the 17th time – about God’s miracles of long ago. We are "remembering" God’s miracles for our spiritual ancestors, for ourselves, and for those around us in our lives today whom we will teach about God’s saving love. As you are reading through the One Year Bible this year, are you truly "remembering" God’s miracles of long ago? Are you meditating on all of His mighty works and considering His mighty deeds? Are you being transformed by this process? And will you now go forth and help others in your life "remember" and meditate on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit’s miracles of long ago? Let us pray for "remembrance" today for ourselves and for others in our lives. If very modern day post-it notes will help you remember God's miracles and will help you meditate on all of God's works, then by all means please use as many post-it notes as you deem necessary! :)
Proverbs - Interesting Proverbs today in chapter 24 verses 23 through 25 - "Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment. A judge who says to the wicked, "You are innocent," will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations. But blessings are showered on those who convict the guilty." As we know from our readings earlier this year, God cares a lot about judges - and that judges should judge justly. Honestly, I think being a judge would be a very tough job in a lot of ways. I imagine there may be a judge or two reading this. Hats off to you for your work. I have to believe that obviously most judges would agree with this Proverb. But... there's likely some judges that may not follow this Proverb. That is a sad thing to consider. Here's actually a thought that just popped into my mind here as I am typing this. How about if you and I pray for our local and national judges on occasion? Do you ever do this? I confess that I don't. And I should. We all should. Let us pray that our judges will not show favoritism when passing judgment. Let us pray that they convict the guilty. Let us pray God would lead them in wisdom in their judgments that they must make. Let us pray our judges rightly uphold and interpret the laws they are hired to uphold and interpret. Let us pray for our judges!
Worship Video: Psalm 77:11 reminded me of the John Mark McMillansong called "How He Loves." Beautiful song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQqf8kJ4ALg
Do you know how He loves us? Click here for Love!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. " Colossians 1:27 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you know all about the glorious riches of the mystery of Christ in you, the hope of glory! Pray that you will continue to learn more and more about the hope of glory each day of your life, now and forevermore. Pray in thanksgiving for the hope of 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
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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From Colossians 1:27-2:6-7 we see how true the phrase is "that it is ALL ABOUT JESUS." The ministry is all about "Christ in you, the hope of glory." And it's this Jesus that we offer the world--Him we proclaim, warning every person, teaching every person, that we may present them perfect (mature) in Christ. And it is for this very purpose that Paul poured himself out---to see people be fully formed in Jesus. What a wonderfully focused 'mission statement' Paul left for us all to imitate.
We spend so much time in our communities running programs but Paul makes it clear here that the priority 'programs/ministries' are the ones that keep Jesus central, and the ones that seek to take those far from Christ, bring them in close with intentionality and grow them up in Christ with passionate intentionality. This is a cause worth giving one's life to--investing in people who invest in people who invest in people, and so it goes.
Posted by: Anka | October 04, 2024 at 06:59 PM
Regarding roots..
Ephesians 3.17
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love.
Colossians 2.7
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Jeremiah 17.8
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Posted by: Nancy | October 06, 2024 at 03:26 PM
What sadness that Israel amd Judah would not listen..even priests would say with their mouths but the truth was far from them..how sad and corrupt. I worry that our nation and world is becoming like the days of Judah and Israel..all the lies our country and political leaders tell. How sad. But God you are faithful..you love a cheerful and upright child of God and yet give mercy to those that are ever clinched with sin..may the chains be broken today.
We have to be careful that the teachings of man doesn't overpower the teachings of God. Have God ingrained in us so deep that nothing can overcome us. I like that. Have deep roots and love and commitment to the gospel of Christ. Amen!
I don't know why but the song..God of wonders beyond our galaxy. You are holy! You are holy! The Lord of heaven and earth! Gods remembrance of Asaph and Asaph of Him..wow
No one should show favoritism in judgemental. Be fair and just to all. Amen
Posted by: Dee | October 07, 2024 at 03:26 AM