November 4th Bible in a Year Readings

Ezekiel 10:1-11:25 + Hebrews 6:1-20 + Psalm 105:16-36 + Proverbs 27:1-2
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~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley's terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link, The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament - Ezekiel's vision of the Lord in Jerusalem continues today in chapters 10 and 11 as the glory of the Lord first leaves the Temple and then leaves Jerusalem completely! This is a big deal as the glory of the Lord had pretty much been in the Temple since it's construction. We are also visited by the cherubim again in these chapters - check out the November 1st readings calendar link below/left for more commentary on the cherubim.  I really like this artwork by Priscilla Silver called "The Four Faced Cherubim" -

Today in chapter 11 verse 13 we read - "While I was still speaking, Pelatiah son of Benaiah suddenly died. Then I fell face down in the dust and cried out, "O Sovereign LORD, are you going to kill everyone in Israel?""

Chapter 11 verses 19 & 20 stood out to me today, with a message for the exiles in Babylon - "I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God." How are our hearts today? Are they tender? Single in their focus on God? Do we have a new Spirit within us?

New Testament - Hebrews Chapter 6 verse 1 definitely stood out today: "So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God." I think sometimes we can get too caught up on the basics of Christianity and then never really grow in our faith.  I do believe God is calling us first and foremost to come into relationship with Him through faith in his son Jesus.  But, after that, let us grow!  Let us no longer conform to our worldly ways and passions, even though we now have faith in Jesus.  Let us become saints.  Let us love and serve God, other people, and the poor more and more with each passing day.  Let us go on and become mature in our understanding!  Let us move forward from always being "disciples" to becoming "apostles."  How is your spiritual growth these days?  Are you growing?  Do you want to grow?

In verses 7 & 8 today we read: "When the ground soaks up the rain that falls on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has the blessing of God. But if a field bears thistles and thorns, it is useless. The farmer will condemn that field and burn it."

Verse 18 is awesome: "Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence." Have you fled to Jesus for refuge? Are you holding on to God's promise with confidence?

Psalms - Psalm 105's verses today give us a good Cliff Notes version of the end of the book of Genesis and beginning of the book of Exodus!

Proverbs - Proverbs verse 1 today is fantastic: "Don't brag about tomorrow, since you don't know what the day will bring." Indeed, don't brag about tomorrow - each day is such a blessing to be thankful for. Live for today. With Jesus. And don't brag about tomorrow!

Today in Proverbs 27:2 we read: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.” How often do we heap praise on ourselves? Maybe even in our own minds, if not verbally? Where does our strength and wisdom and achievements truly come from? Is the Lord your strength? If we are praised by others, do we accept the praise into our own hearts? Or, do we share with the person giving the praise, where the praise truly should be directed? Psalm 115 verse 1 wisely reminds us - “Not to us O Lord, Not to us – but to your name be the Glory.” Amen! 

Worship Video:  Proverbs 27:2 reminded me of the Aaron Shust song "To God Alone be the Glory:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT-QWSxV0Hs

Do you give God all your glory?  Click here to get to know your Glory!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips. " Proverbs 27:1-2 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not boasting about what you will do tomorrow. Pray that you are focusing on glorifying God TODAY! Pray that you do not boast about yourself, but only allow others to praise you, and that you in turn give that praise and glory to God alone!

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 10-11:25

I find the following passages from the eleventh chapter very intriguing:

2 Then the Spirit said to me, "Son of man, these are the men who are responsible for the wicked counsel being given in this city. 3 They say to the people, `Is it not a good time to build houses? Our city is like an iron pot. Inside it we will be like meat--safe from all harm.' 4 Therefore, son of man, prophesy against them loudly and clearly."

5 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say, "This is what the LORD says to the people of Israel: Is that what you are saying? Yes, I know it is, for I know every thought that comes into your minds. 6You have murdered endlessly and filled your streets with the dead.

7"Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: This city is an iron pot, but the victims of your injustice are the pieces of meat. And you are not safe, for I will soon drag you from the city.

This speaks to me of “wrongly” discerning the times that one is in and totally misjudging the intent and purpose of a situation one finds themselves in. That is dangerous business. Leadership saw Jerusalem as their protection, their “iron” pot that would keep out intruders; however God said the pot was a tomb for all the people the leaders had torn asunder and murdered, how interesting. Does anyone think that this very same thing can or cannot happen today?

Hebrews 6:1-20

Someone once brought up something very important about the following verse:

1 So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

They state: “NOTE: I am uncertain how to understand this. Pray I get wisdom on this.”

I believe “leaving the basics” may be akin to what happens when our school age children advance through higher and higher grade levels. They have the same subjects over and over again but the Math that is taught in first grade is not the math that one learns in Engineering School. One and one is still two; however, that foundation, the principals and the “laws” that govern Math use the simple equation of 1+1=2 as a foundation that governs all the other types of mathematical formulas; however, once you go on to higher Math that elementary problem is never seen again.

I don’t know if this is a true but it is humorous and it does cause one to think. The reason that the chairs are so small in kindergarten and first grade is because they don’t want children becoming so comfortable sitting in them that they decide to stay there and not move on. You know in the lower grades there is “snack” time and you get to finger paint almost daily. I wonder how much of that analogy can be applied to Christians.

I’ve also heard my pastor state this: “Maturation doesn’t come by way of age it comes by choice. We choose to grow up. When I was a child, I thought like a child …but when I became a man I put away childish things,” with emphasis on the personal pronoun, “I”

Psalm 105:16-36

I find the 16th and 17th verses of Psalms 105 expanding my knowledge and understanding of how God operates.

Before Joseph was ever sent to Egypt God had famine in mind for that country. Before the famine ever came at it’s appointed time, God had already sent his solution. Whose solution have you been called to be for the famine in someone else’s’ life? We have been created and sent to be problem solvers for the world’s problems even before they know they have a problem.

Proverbs 27:1-2

There are practices and books that tell people how to get ahead in life by “blowing” one’s own horn, so to speak. However, God’s Business Practices are not man’s. Or, is God really telling us, “Don’t tell me how good you are, show me.” Actions have always spoken louder than our words.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Dee]

Alot of thoughts in my mind today. Ezekiel today reminded me of Moses where he was pleading with the Lord to not kill all the community. Do we feel like an intercessor for the people? Do we feel close enough to God to ask to save the people or argue/plead with God. Could u, do u?

Sometimes we forget that we have Jesus on ourselves and are on the line of Melchizadek. It's a beautiful thing.
A reminisce down memory lane. Joseph amd his sweet disposition. God uses the people were don't think he would.
Let others praise you don't do it yourself