October 9th Bible in a Year Readings

Jeremiah 12:1-14:10 + 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8 + Psalm 79:1-13 + Proverbs 24:30-34
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Old Testament - Today's readings are a bit unique in that the Jeremiah chapters relate to Psalm 79! Psalm 79 is about the post-destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar et. al.  It's interesting to see pre- & post- destruction. The Jeremiah readings today may seem to you a bit tough to read. It is certainly sad to read about the coming destruction. As I read through these chapters I think about Jeremiah and how tough it must have been on him to know what was coming. In fact, Jeremiah gives a passionate prayer for the people of Jerusalem in today's readings in chapter 14 verses 7 through 9.  The question that I think sometimes can come up for some as they read chapters like this in the Old Testament is:  "Is this the same God we read about in the New Testament?" And I of course believe that absolutely yes this is the same God! The life of Jesus on Earth was obviously in between the time of Jeremiah and the time of you and me today. Jesus' life, ministry, suffering, death on the cross, and His resurrection saved us from our sins - and this graceful life of Jesus' had obviously not taken place in Jeremiah's time.  However, I do also believe that God is very graceful throughout history including all of the Old Testament. Keep in mind that God is often saying in these chapters in Jeremiah: "come back to me", "repent", "abandon your idols" - and no one listens. God was giving chance after chance after chance of repentance...  What about you in your life today?  Is God saying to you in any way to "come back to me", "repent", "abandon your idols"?  And are you listening?  Will you repent?  Will you return to the Lord?

Jeremiah 12:16 is fascinating for me today: "And if these nations quickly learn the ways of my people, and if they learn to swear by my name, saying, `As surely as the Lord lives' (just as they taught my people to swear by the name of Baal), then they will be given a place among my people."  I think that's powerful that God is saying if these foreign nations (i.e. not Israel / Judah) learn to swear by His name that they will be giving a place among His people. It reminds me of Peter's dream & realization in Acts chapter 10 that the Gospel was not just for the Jews but for the Gentiles too!

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's first letter to the church in Thessalonica!  What is the best way to spell Thessalonica – with a “k” like this: Thessalonika?  Or with a “c” like this: Thessalonica?  It is indeed a deep mystery.  One we won’t really get to the bottom of in Paul’s two letters to the church in Thessalonica in our readings this week. . . :) But these are 2 great letters of Paul’s nonetheless coming up!  Let’s go!

~ First Thessalonians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Corinth
Date: A.D. 50 or 51
Content: On Paul’s second missionary journey he visited Thessalonica but was forced to flee because of the intense persecutions that arose there (see Acts 17:1-9). After making his way to Athens and finally to Corinth, Paul heard from Timothy, whom he had sent to inquire about the Thessalonians, that they were standing fast in spite of their suffering. Paul wrote this letter to comfort and encourage the young believers in the Lord. He also wrote to confirm their faith in the basic doctrines of the church concerning God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, Christian living, but especially concerning Jesus’ second coming. Apparently because some believers had died, the remaining Christians were concerned lest the believing dead miss out on the resurrection. Paul writes to assure them that the dead in Christ rise first.
Theme: Paul comforts the persecuted believers with the assurance that God is with us and has assured us of ultimate victory. The final victory will occur at Jesus’ return, when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven and gather us to himself, ever to be with him. In the light of this we should bear up under persecution, living lives that are godly and above reproach. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 28)  A wonderful commentary on First Thessalonians by J. Hampton Keathley, III, titled “The Birth and Growth of a Church” is at this link. 

Today in First Thessalonians 1:5 we read: "For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know that the way we lived among you was further proof of the truth of our message."  This is a great reminder that while we are out and about in the world being salt and light, we're not just out there on our own. The Holy Spirit is doing work concurrently in other people's hearts. And indeed, the Holy Spirit is doing the true work of salvation, not us. I do like that Paul wrote that "the way we lived" was further proof of the truth. Christians are called to be in the world, but not of it. And I do think people pay attention to how we live. How are we living our lives today? Are we living a life of love? Are we compassionate? Are we caring? Are we serving the poor? Or - are we bought into consumerism? Are we selfish? Are we serving ourselves? Does the way we spend our money and time look different from how the culture says we should be spending our money and time? Are we giving to our church? Are we worshiping God at a church once a week? Are we praying frequently? How are you living your life today? If someone took a look at your life would it be abundantly clear that you are following Jesus?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in First Thessalonians chapter 2 titled "A Compelling Example for Ministry" is at this link.  Below is a fun image for First Thessalonians 1:3 from today's readings -

Bible Project:  Here is a terrific video overview of 1st Thessalonians!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No7Nq6IX23c

Psalms - Psalm 79 verse 13 stood out to me today - "Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever and ever, praising your greatness from generation to generation."  I like that imagery of being sheep in God's pasture!  And Jesus, of course, is our Good Shepherd.  Are you content with the idea of being a sheep in God's pasture?

Proverbs - Proverbs 24:30-34 is great Proverb today with the lesson coming in verses 33 and 34: "A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." The interesting thing about this Proverb for me personally is that I honestly am not getting enough sleep these days - I could use a little extra sleep!  :)  And yet, of course, this Proverb is also so very true.  I think we need to basically balance what this Proverb teaches versus what our modern world preaches / teaches.  I think our modern world can encourage us to be a workaholic - work 50, 60, 70 hours a week!  Sleep 4, 5, 6 hours a night!  Go, go, go!  And yet, I don't think that is what this Proverb is teaching...  Certainly not in context with the rest of the Bible.  I think being a workaholic is just as dangerous as being slothful.  We need to find the happy middle - which I think only is ultimately achieved with God in our life.  Without God we'll either think there's no point to life and be slothful or we'll think life is all about money, success, pride, etc. and be a workaholic.  Let us live our lives with God where we know that work is important, but that work is most definitely not a god to be worshiped!

Worship Video:  Our readings today reminded me of Brooke Ligertwood's song "Honey in the Rock:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vpuNsZxmpA

Do you believe there is honey in the rock?  Click here and believe!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 24:33-34 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not lazy in any way, shape, or form. Pray that you know the honor and dignity and power of work. Pray that you work hard, working for the Lord no matter what you do.

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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Comments

[Ramona]

Mike you said,

>>The Jeremiah readings today may seem to you a bit tough to read. It is sad to see the coming destruction. As I read through these verses I wonder about Jeremiah. How tough it must have been on him to know what was coming. Though, there were people that wanted to kill him, so perhaps at times he agreed with God on what was coming…And I of course believe so. I think that I see that the life of Jesus on Earth was obviously between the time of Jeremiah and the time of Brennan. And I believe Christ's suffering and death took on our sins - and this act had obviously not taken place in Jeremiah's time.>>

I may be misunderstanding the intent of your words in trying to explain the actions of God and or the entrance of Christ into the world. Forgive me and correct me if I’m wrong but can we humans explain the actions of God? Are we dealing with a God who has changed from the Old Testament to something and someone more lovable in the New? I don’t think so and my assumptions are based on the Word,
Who has prepared and done this, calling forth and guiding the destinies of the generations [of the nations] from the beginning? I, the Lord--the first [existing before history began] and with the last [an ever-present, unchanging God]--I am He.
(Isa 41:4 AMP)
For I am the Lord, I do not change; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
(Mal 3:6 AMP)
Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).
(Heb 13:8 AMP)

The tendency is to paint God as being what we have created Him to be instead of feeding on His Word, The Bible—the whole counsel of God, and altering our understanding based on His Character revealed in His Word. If what we read doesn’t line up with our own understanding then we throw out the Bible, calling it irrelevant and illogical, or we ignore the things we don’t understand and say that God changed. Christ and God are one and the same, as is the Holy Spirit, different manifestation of the One and only God (That is the mystery scripture speaks about).
In the beginning was the Word [or, the Expression of [divine] Logic], and the Word was with [or, in communion with] God, and the Word was God [or, was as to His essence God]. This One was in the beginning with God. All [things] came to be through Him, and without Him not even one thing came to be which has come to be. (Joh 1:1-3 ALT)

You don’t have to understand everything to believe it, that is why it is called faith. How many of us know how sound waves are pulled out of the air in order for us to see images emanating from our television screens or hear audio from our radios and cell phones? If we had to take a test to operate those appliances either we would all study physics or whatever the science is that explains how they work, or the broadcast and cell phone industry would go out of business for lack of knowledgeable consumers.
We live in a fallen world. God created this world in perfect condition, no storms, no rain, no violence. The entrance of “sin” caused and even today continues effectively to cause disunity in our environment inhabited and populated by the things God created as perfect.

Therefore the land has become unclean and I have brought the punishment for its iniquity on it, so that the land has vomited out its inhabitants. You yourselves must obey my statutes and my regulations and must not do any of these abominations, both the native citizen and the resident foreigner in your midst, for the people who were in the land before you have done all these abominations, and the land has become unclean. So do not let the land vomit you out because you defile it just as it has vomited out the nations that were before you. (Lev 18:25-28 NET.)

We understand to not play in the streets, sleep in the streets and live in the streets especially where there is active and heavy traffic barreling through. Our safety and protection from being run over by an eighteen-wheeler tractor-trailer rests on our obey rule of law and rules of nature/physics. We can understand that; however, we struggle with understanding that our only protection is adhering to the Laws that God has placed in the Universe. When we fail to take heed, when we fail to make the name of the Lord our High Tower of protection, we may find ourselves dancing the dance of potential destruction and judgment when one day we fail to get out of the way of that “Big Rig.” That does not mean that God has abandoned us it just means we have walked away from His Protection by adhering to His Word.

Yes, we may, someone else may, violate God’s Laws and His Words and others unrelated to that violation may and will bodily suffer the consequences of someone else’s sin. That is the nature of a sinful world; it affects other innocent people; however, God is still Just, He is still mercifully, His Truth still stands and He is ever Gracious and Grace filled.

Reading through the Bible is about discovering who God is based on the knowledge revealed in the scriptures. We come to this site to have our eyes opened and our ears unstopped so that we can not only see God through His Word but hear His still small voice speak to us in our times of solitude. May we not be hindered by what we read that appears to be outside of our understanding or preset ideas. May we have ears to hear and eyes to see the Truth that this Word of God brings to our understanding. In Jesus’ might and glorious name, Amen.

Grace and peace to all,
Ramona

[Jane]

Ramona explain what you don’t understand in mikes words . I’m reading back and I’m not seeing it thanks

[Dee]

The Jeremiah story reminded me of honey in the rock as well where they storing things in the hole of the rock. I love that the Lord showed his love for both Jews and Gentiles..also hw was giving Jerusalum- aka the Jews and ultimatum. If you will turn from your ways and cry out to me..i will heal the land. Amen

The way we conduct our lives is testimony of the love and admiration of the Lord. That is true..and I know at times I get frustrated at some who test my patience and I know that is something I need to work on.
Psalm 79 kind of sounded or rebuked me ouch. When you want others to suffer more than you then God will reveal your sins. Wow..making me realize to be humble and compassionate.

People that lack common sense..
When you sleep, slumber, "sit " on things poverty will jump on us. Be vigilant..stay the course