November 3rd Bible in a Year Readings

Ezekiel 7:1-9:11 + Hebrews 5:1-14 + Psalm 105:1-15 + Proverbs 26:28
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Old Testament - Ezekiel chapter 7 has a line that repeats twice in verses 4 & 27: "Then you/they will know that I am the LORD!"  We are seeing here that God is not happy with Israel in large part because they do not realize that he is the Lord. They have sold out to other gods and idols and sin and don't really think God will do much about it. Well, God opens this chapter with strong words in verse 1: "The end is here!" God's patience has run out. But, keep in mind that God kept trying to get the Israelites to repent over and over and over again. They wouldn't.  Do we sometimes test God's patience? If so, will we repent in the areas of our life where we test God's patience?

Ezekiel chapter 8 reminds me of a lawyer making a case in court! And God absolutely puts forth a strong case for why the end arrived for Jerusalem in the 5th/6th century B.C. It is so sad to see these sins take place in and around the Temple. In chapter 9 we see six angels of God appear from the north gates - where one of the major idols was located. In this vision, these 6 angels are carrying out God's judgment on Israel. Verse 7 gives us a hint that God is preparing to leave the Temple completely: ""Defile the Temple!" the LORD commanded."  We'll pick this up in tomorrow's readings...  Below is an artist's interpretation of Ezekiel's visit to Jerusalem:  (I realize this is one of the more "unique" pieces of art I have posted up - just wait until we get to the book of Revelation! :)

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 5 verse 10 today tells us this about Jesus: "And God designated him to be a High Priest in the line of Melchizedek." Who is Melchizedek? He first appeared in Scripture in Genesis 14:18-20: "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything." Melchizedek was clearly important, as Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And Christ is a "High Priest in the line of Melchizedek." The thing to keep in mind is that most Bible scholars do not believe that Melchizedek was literally Christ. So, for us today, it's fine history to know. But, Christ is our High Priest, as this chapter of Hebrews makes clear.

Verses 11 - 14 today are a great reminder that as Christians we must learn to become "self-feeders." We can't rely only on pastors and teachers and mentors to provide us with spiritual nourishment. We must learn to grow our relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit through our own study and prayer as well. I submit that the One Year Bible is one great way to feed yourself spiritually daily!  How else are you feeding yourself spiritually these days?

Psalms - Psalm 105 verse 4 stood out to me today - "Search for the LORD and for his strength, and keep on searching." I like that - search!  If you search for God, he will indeed be found.  Have you ever searched for God?  And for his strength?  Are you maybe searching now?  Do you believe he will be found?  Will you keep on searching?

Verses 8 & 9 remind us of this character of God: "He always stands by his covenant-- the commitment he made to a thousand generations. This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac." The covenant continues today through the new covenant (testament) brought to us through Jesus.

Proverbs - Proverbs 26:28 teaches us: "A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin."  This is a great reminder not to lie nor to flatter!  Why do you think flattering words cause ruin?  Have you been flattered recently?  Have you felt odd when being flattered?  Do you flatter others?  Should you?

YouTube: Today's Proverb reminds me of the Casting Crowns song "Slow Fade," which was in the movie Fireproof.  Here's the video for the song:

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

Are you in a slow fade in your life?  Click here for the fast track to God!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:12-14 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are a self-feeder of God's Word and Truth. Pray that you are not dependent on others to feed you, but that you are mature and can feed yourself, distinguishing good from evil.

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.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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Comments

[Ramona]

Ezekiel 7-9:11 and Hebrews 5:1-14

Has anyone else noticed that the majority of the text written in the Bible confronts God’s folks, His people? Most of the admonishments, rebukes and judgments are not directed toward non-believers, but to believers: people who are suppose to be His people.

Notice:

The word of the Lord came to me: "You, son of man this is what the Sovereign Lord says to the land of Israel: An end! The end is coming on the four corners of the land! The end is now upon you, and I will release my anger against you; I will judge you according to your behavior, I will hold you accountable for all your abominable practices.
(Ezekiel 7:1-3 NET.)

And

On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing. For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God's utterances. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
(Hebrews 5:11-14 NET.)

I think all of us who call ourselves Christians should get a clue and realize that we are indeed call to witness to the unsaved in our family, community and to the world; however, our witness should not be of eloquent words, coercion or fear. We are not told to scare people into the kingdom of God. In fact the Word says that anything not done in faith is sin (Romans 14:23).But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJVR)

We are called to be a witness not to witness. Our witness is our lifestyle, our joy in the Lord, our love for one another. These things are what draw the unbeliever to Christ. But if we, believers, have to be told to stop murdering, cheating, slandering, etc. then our witness is non-existent and any words used to bring people to Christ are empty and hypocritical. . Let us begin to speak to a dying hurting world through our lifestyle, through our countenance and through the Fruit of the Spirit that grows in us when we stay attached to the Vine that is Jesus Christ. (John 15:5)

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Dee]

It was sad to see that Israel defiled the living God. They were worshiping idols, the sun, they had all kind of creatures on the wall. In His temple none the less and didn't even respect it. It makes me wonder how many times do we defile God's temple that we carry around? I know I'm ashamed sometimes of myself. We need to be humble and broken down to see our inner selves and see Jesus in others. He wants to feel and have broken hearts for what breaks his.

I love the baby analogy on eating solid food vs baby milk etc..I find it interesting too that Melchizadek came up again..Jesus is in the line of Him and that too is fascinating since he came and helped minister to Abram. Neat.

What a covenant he has given is..seek Him! Seek Him while he may be found. Amen! God is good and generous through the generations. He is faithful.
Don't flatter people just be authentic and be you. They will respect ypu a whole lot more. .