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Category: Religion

re·li·gion: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conductof human affairs. Posts in this category pertain to religious matters and issues.

  • OYB May 17

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Samuel 20-21
    NT: John 9
    Ps: Psalm 113-114
    Pr: Proverbs 15:15-17

    Gospel Thread – OT:

    No direct gospel reference in today’s OT reading.

    Gospel Thread – NT:

    4 “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

    John 9:4-5 (NIV)

     

    Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

    From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

    Psalm 113:3 (NIV)

     

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

  • OYB May 16

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Samuel 18:5-30, I Samuel 19
    NT: John 8:31-59
    Ps: Psalm 112
    Pr: Proverbs 15:12-14

    Gospel Thread – OT:

    No direct gospel reference in today’s OT reading.

    Gospel Thread – NT:

    “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

    John 8:56 (NIV)

    Abraham knew that God’s Promise to him would be completed and perfected in a coming Messiah. That Abraham “saw” Jesus’ day means, in part, that Abraham had faith in that Messiah – evidenced by his gladness. Indeed, Jesus is that Messiah – the fulfillment of God’s Promise and the perfection of His Law; the means of our redemption and the source of our salvation.

    Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

    Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

    Psalm 112:4 (NIV)

     

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

  • OYB May 15

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Samuel 17, I Samuel 18:1-4
    NT: John 8:21-30
    Ps: Psalm 111
    Pr: Proverbs 15:11

    Gospel Thread – OT:

    45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

    I Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)

    This response reveals David’s character, and demonstrates why he – rather than Saul – is the type of person God would choose to be king of His people and the type of person God considers to be after His own heart. David demonstrates utmost faith in and reliance upon God, and desires to glorify God for the outcome of his circumstance. This faith is saving faith: understanding and confession that God provides the one and only way.

    Gospel Thread – NT:

    But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

    John 8:23 (NIV)

    Jesus was not just a “good man” or a prophet. As C.S. Lewis explains so succinctly in Mere Christianity, Jesus leaves no option available other than that he was a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord that He claimed to be. He cannot be a “good man” and a liar, just as he cannot be a prophet and a lunatic. He left the choice concerning him with no other options in order to force us either to accept him, or to reject him – he left no room for middle ground, for a non-decision.

    Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

    He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.

    Psalm 111:9 (NIV)

     

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

  • What’s In A Name?

    Many have asked why we named our daughter Lillian Nicole. Here is a glimpse into our thought process.

    Lillian_birth 050

    Lillian Nicole
    Photo © Chip Bennett, all rights reserved.

    We believed it to be very important to give our children names with significant meanings. We believe in the power of speaking life over and into our children. Therefore, we wanted to give our children names that would reinforce the character and values we desire for them.

    Lillian is of Latin origin, and means Lily. In the Bible, the lily symbolizes innocence, purity, beauty, and resurrection. Here is a thorough overview of the symbolism of the lily:

    The lily’s scepter or trumpet shape makes it a symbol of royalty. Its white color indicates purity, innocence, hope, and virtue…

    We hope and desire for these virtues to describe the character of our daughter, and by God’s grace, they will.

    Nicole is the namesake of Lily’s Aunt, Angela Nicole. The name is of Greek origin, and means, “the people’s victory”, or “victory of the people”. We chose this name both to honor her namesake, and also to be the encouragement we speak into Lily – that through virtuous character by the grace of God, she will be victorious in her life and will bring glory to God.

  • OYB May 14

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Samuel 15-16
    NT: John 8:1-20
    Ps: Psalm 110
    Pr: Proverbs 15:8-10

    Gospel Thread – OT:

    But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

    I Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

    Sacrifices were never the means by which God bestowed His grace upon man or credited man with righteousness; sacrifices were always a foreshadow of God’s ultimate sacrifice, a symbol of the Messiah Who was to come, and an outward expression of an inward heart of obedience to to Word of the Lord. Still today, God desires not the outward expression, but rather the inward heart of obedience to His Word.

    Gospel Thread – NT:

    When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

    John 8:12 (NIV)

     

    Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

    The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

    Psalm 110:4 (NIV)

    In Jesus Christ, God establishes a new priesthood – a better priesthood. Paul speaks about this priesthood (Hebrews 6-9), and explains why the priesthood and covenant established in Christ perfects, completes, and excels beyond the Mosaic covenant and the Aaronic priesthood.

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

  • OYB May 13

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Samuel 14
    NT: John 7:31-53
    Ps: Psalm 109
    Pr: Proverbs 15:5-7

    Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!

    Photo of the Day:

    Lillian_birth 052

    Our first family photo!
    Photo © Chip Bennett; all rights reserved

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

  • OYB May 12

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Samuel 12-13
    NT: John 7:1-30
    Ps: Psalm 108
    Pr: Proverbs 15:4

    Gospel Thread – OT, NT, Psalms/Proverbs:

    I apologize if this is a cop-out, but my mind is elsewhere today. Rather than try to manufacture something to put here today, I am just going to say that I have nothing to add today, because my mind is on my daughter.

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

  • OYB May 11

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Samuel 10-11
    NT: John 6:43-71
    Ps: Psalm 107
    Pr: Proverbs 15:1-3

    Gospel Thread – OT:

    No direct gospel reference in today’s OT reading.

    Gospel Thread – NT:

    I am the bread of life.

    John 6:48 (NIV)

    This sometimes-difficult passage is summed up in these six words. Jesus explains the spiritual and symbolic meaning of this passage at the last supper, when He institutes the sacrament of communion: the bread and wine symbolize Jesus’ body and blood – the body broken to bear the wrath that was due for man’s sin, and the blood that was shed as the sacrifice for sin.

    Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

    1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
    2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe

    Psalm 107:1-2 (NIV)

    Indeed, God has redeemed us from the hand of our foe: both from sin and from Satan himself. Our response to this truth should be one of eternal thankfulness and gratitude. May we always set our thoughts on the eternal love of our Lord, and respond in kind with our own love and gratitude.

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

  • OYB May 10

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Samuel 8-9
    NT: John 6:22-42
    Ps: Psalm 106:32-48
    Pr: Proverbs 106:32-48

    Gospel Thread – OT:

    And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”

    I Samuel 8:7 (NIV)

    God always intended that He alone should be our King. The tragic story of the history of mankind is that we have repeatedly chosen to turn away from Him as our King, and in so doing we have given ourselves over to be enslaved by sin. But God, in His eternal goodness, provides hope for a way out of that slavery; and in His grace, He would use even the kings He appointed to try to help mankind recognize our need to serve God alone as our One, True King.

    Gospel Thread – NT:

    Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

    John 6:29 (NIV)

    We do not achieve salvation by our own works; rather, salvation is God’s gift to us, according to His grace, and through our faith in Jesus Christ.

    Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

    44 But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry;
    45 for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented.

    Psalm 106;44-45 (NIV)

    Just as God heard Israel’s cries of distress, still today God hears our cries of distress as well. When Israel cried out to God, He chose to hear them and to rescue them from their oppression. When we cry out to God, He chooses to hear us and to rescue us from our oppression. His covenant with us through Jesus Christ is everlasting; we need only to believe it and to respond.

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

  • OYB May 9

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Samuel 5-7
    NT: John 6:1-21
    Ps: Psalm 106:13-31
    Pr: Proverbs 14:32-33

    Gospel Thread – OT:

    No direct gospel reference in today’s OT reading.

    Gospel Thread – NT:

    Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

    John 6:21 (NIV)

    I infer from this verse that, prior to Jesus’ appearance on the water, the disciples were having great difficulty reaching their destination in the stormy waters. Likewise, our only hope to navigate life’s stormy waters is to accept Jesus, who has authority over the winds and the waves, to take control of the “boat” of our lives.

    Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

    When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

    Proverbs 14:32 (NIV)

    Again, the refuge of the righteous is Jesus Christ. Because of our relationship with Him, we have absolutely no fear of death – spiritual or physical – for Christ has redeemed us from spiritual death, and physical death brings us all the closer to the eternity we will spend in God’s presence.

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.