Author: Chip Bennett

Reflections has been added to the OYB blogroll. Welcome!

Street Preacher has been added to the OYB blogroll. Welcome!

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 28
NT: Matthew 25:36-46, Matthew 26:1-13
Ps: Psalm 31:9-18
Pr: Proverbs 8:12-13

Today´s notable verse:

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

There it is – the heart of “religion” from the Author and Perfecter of our faith: to give, to serve, to love. Christ-like “religion” is not about outward appearances, or rituals, or even sacraments; it is about maintaining a humble spirit and a selfless, Christ- and other-centered attitude, through which we serve those in need.

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Back to Psalm 31 verse 10 above – this past year I read C.S. Lewis’ book “A Grief Observed”. Has anyone read this? …Let me know reviews in the Comments section below if you’ve read A Grief Observed, or know others who have? Has it been consoling for you during a time of loss? Do you have any other book recommendations for people who might be going through grief? Books that were helpful to you when you went through a time of grief?

I’ve not read it. I would write more, but a short lunch break today demands a brief post…

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 26, Exodus 27
NT: Matthew 25:1-30
Ps: Psalm 31:1-8
Pr: Proverbs 8:1-11

Today´s notable verse:

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Psalm 31:3 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on Proverbs 8:10-11 above, Are you seeking God’s instruction in your life above all else? Do you agree with this Proverb that wisdom is far more valuable than riches? Is reading the Bible each day here in 2006 adding to your wisdom? Are you seeking to do more than just read the Bible this year? Are you diving into further study of the Bible? Are you allowing your study of the Bible to transform you? Are you allowing the Bible to change how you think, act, and live? Are you allowing the Bible to give you godly wisdom? Will you accept God’s free gift of Biblical wisdom each and every day of your life?

I remember from a previous study of Proverbs 8 that what strikes me about this chapter is the the presence and inter-changeability of the Holy Spirit for wisdom. This revelation was powerful to me, in that it reinforced the work of the Spirit in our lives; when we have the Spirit, we truly have God’s Wisdom directing our lives – when we yield to it! I have in my life this very second all the Widsom of God, in the person of the Holy Spirit. How it must grieve Him when I choose to act in my own understanding rather than rely on the Widsom He wants to impart to me – much less, when I act intentionally contrary to that wisdom.

Wisdom is certainly more valuable than riches; for one, with God’s wisdom, we gain a Godly perspective on what is truly valuable, and also how to handle those things of value with which God entrusts us. Without a doubt, the more time I spend in the Word, the more I am transformed. More and more, I am exposed to my own iniquities, and presented with the choice to think, decide, and act according to my sinful nature or according to God’s will and wisdom. On that measure, I gain a greater understanding of God’s grace, as I all too often yield to my sinful nature, rather than rely on the still, small voice of God’s Spirit, who directs my path – if only I choose to let Him.

Loving God Holy has been added to the OYB blogroll. Welcome!

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 23:14-33, Exodus 24, Exodus 25
NT: Matthew 24:29-51
Ps: Psalm 30
Pr: Proverbs 7:24-27

Today´s notable verse:

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Matthew 24:36 (NIV)

I must admit that I’m a bit perplexed by this verse. If the Son and the Father are one, why doesn’t the Son know the day or hour? Is God the Son, in human form, somehow limited in His omniscience? Any thoughts on this verse?

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – In today and yesterday’s readings in Matthew chapter 24 we read about the end times. Do you do much study of the end times? What are some books or resources or websites you could point others to, to study more about the end times? …How often do you think about the end times? Do you think there should be a healthy balance of time and study when it comes to reflecting on the end times?

I really don’t. I cannot control or predict what is to come in the future. I can’t change times or events. All I can control is what I do with today. To be sure, we should live with the urgency of Christ’s imminent return, so that we are not caught unaware, but are found to be about our Master’s business. But what will happen, with respect to “end times”, will happen. I am more concerned with the present, and how I handle the time and resources I have today, though with an eternal – rather than temporal – perspective.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 21:22-36, Exodus 22, Exodus 23:1-13
NT: Matthew 24:1-28
Ps: Psalm 29
Pr: Proverbs 6:7-23

Today´s notable verse:

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – I read an interesting commentary on Psalm 29 verse 2 today – “Give honor to the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” This commentary suggested that possibly “worshiping God in the splendor of his holiness” may have been a call for the ancient worshipers to basically dress up before going to the Temple. To wear the proper white robes or garb for worship. And this made me think about how we dress for church today. I’m wondering if maybe we’re getting too casual in the way we dress for church these days? I know in my grandparents’ day, you were in a suit / nice dress. Today, it seems like we can go to church in just about whatever we want to wear – jeans, T-shirts, flip-flops, etc. And maybe this is okay? Maybe this is a good thing? Or maybe not? Dennis Prager on his radio show talks about this very topic and says that if we were going to meet with the Queen of England, how would we dress? Obviously, we’d dress nicely. Well, if in church we’re going to meet with the King of all creation, how then should we dress? At least as nicely as we’d dress for meeting with the Queen of England? Or no…? Please let me know your thoughts on this topic. Do you dress up for church? Why or why not? Are we getting too casual with what we wear to church these days? Should we maybe learn something from this Psalm and “worship God in the splendor of his holiness”?

Interesting you should mention that; I actually did meet the Queen of England (Manchester, July 2000 – see the Missions section for pictures)! As I remember, I was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and a windbreaker. More importantly, the Bible consistently talks about God desiring the splendor of His holiness on the inside – the heart – of man. What is external does not make a man clean or unclean (worthy/holy or unworthy/unholy), but what is in his heart. If my appearance is a distraction to me (or to others), or if my attitude is one of laziness or ungratefulness, then the condidtion of my heart is the problem; my appearance is but a symptom. We have to be careful of the other extreme, as well; church attire can all too easily become a matter of pride and favoritism, and can make visitors/unbelievers who think they have to dress “appropriately” unwelcome or unwilling even to walk through the doors.

I also have this nagging thought that I would be awfully arrogant to think that the “splendor of His holiness” could be evidenced in any way by my appearance – as if this or that shirt has more or less of that splendor.

In answer to your question, I dress for church in all manner, depending on the circumstance and the culture of the church. (Remember II Corinthians 9:19-22) I am just as comfortable in shorts and sandals as I am in a suit and tie. My ability to worship God or to receive a word of teaching has nothing to do with how I dress, but everything to do with the condition of my heart.