Tag: Devotions

Today´s reading:
OT: Leviticus 7:28-38, Leviticus 8, Leviticus 9:1-6
NT: Mark 3:31-35, Mark 4:1-25
Ps: Psalm 37:12-29
Pr: Proverbs 10:5

Today´s notable verse:

³³ Do not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are completed, for your ordination will last seven days. ³4 What has been done today was commanded by the LORD to make atonement for you. ³⁵ You must stay at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days and do what the LORD requires, so you will not die; for that is what I have been commanded.

Leviticus 8:33-35 (NIV)

Out of curiosity, what of the observance of the Sabbath during this seven-day ordination period?

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from You & Question of the Day – I realize that my reflections above in the OT section on clergy at churches receiving compensation might be controversial in some ways. What are your thoughts on your clergy receiving compensation? What are your thoughts on others in other types of ministry receiving compensation? Where do we draw the line of when ministry should be done with compensation or without compensation?

Absolutely, ministers of the Word should be compensated and supported by those to whom they minister. See the words of Paul in I Corinthians chapter 9:

⁷ Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? ⁸ Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? ⁹ For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”[b] Is it about oxen that God is concerned? ¹⁰ Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. ¹¹ If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? ¹² If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. ¹³ Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

I Corinthians 9:7-14

That pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it?

Further, I think ministers should be well-compensated. Financial issues should not be an inherent burden for our ministers (though, of course, they have the same responsibility of financial stewardship that the rest of us have). At the same time, I think ministers outwardly should display the utmost in humility with respect to materialism. Within those bounds, I think the Spirit will direct in such matters.

Today´s reading:
OT: Leviticus 6, Leviticus 7:1-27
NT: Mark 3:7-30
Ps: Psalm 37:1-11
Pr: Proverbs 10:3-4

Today´s notable verse:

Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – …[D]o you have any other Holy Spirit book or other resources recommendations?

Not really. I’m still working through everything the Bible itself has to say about the Holy Spirit. I’d rather rely on God’s revelation of His Word to me directly through the Spirit, before spending too much time reading what others have to say. In other words, why read a biography of George W. Bush, when I could instead talk directly to the man? The same is true for the Holy Spirit. He is always faithful to reveal Himself to us when we ask – to guide and direct us, and to minister to us.

Today´s reading:
OT: Leviticus 4-5
NT: Mark 2:13-28, Mark 3:1-6
Ps: Psalm 36
Pr: Proverbs 10:1-2

Today´s notable verse:

⁵ Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

Psalm 36:5-6 (NIV)

One of my favorite bands of all time is Third Day. While they were originally known for their rock/southern-rock style, they have some powerful worship – both in their recordings and in concert. Much of their worship songs come straight from Psalms such as this one. It’s pretty amazing worshipping alone with psalms like these – and much more so, when thousands are all singing together in concert! As soon as I read these two verses, I heard the music in my mind; and the song will likely be stuck in my head all afternoon. (Not that I’m complaining!)

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you and Question of the Day – Psalm 36 verse 1 is a sobering verse – “Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God to restrain them.” This reminds me of an old U2 lyric from their song Acrobat – “If you just close your eyes, you can feel the enemy.” Have you ever felt sin whispering to you? Do you think that sin can indeed whisper to our hearts? Can it whisper from within our hearts? Do we need more that just fear of God to restrain us from sin? Has Jesus freed you from the whisper of sin within your heart?

The imagery of sin whispering to the heart reminds me of this passage:

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1:13-15 (NIV)

Yes, sin can “whisper to our hearts” – but only because we let it! When we allow the Holy Spirit within us to take control of our own inherent, evil desires, then those desires never have an opportunity to conceive or to give birth to temptation and sin. The evil desires exist within us, and Satan tempts us with/according to those desires. But when we “take captive every thought, and make it obedient to Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5), we short-circuit the entire process that leads to sin. When we choose not to “conform…to the patterns of this world”, but rather allow ourselves, through the Spirit, to “be transformed, by the renewing of [our] minds” (Romans 12:2), we silence the whisper of sin in our hearts.

Mike’s One Year Bible Blog has been added to the OYB blogroll. Welcome!

Today´s reading:
OT: Leviticus 1-3
NT: Mark 1:29-45, Mark 2:1-28
Ps: Psalm 35:17-28
Pr: Proverbs 9:13-18

Today´s notable verses:

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Mark 1:35 (NIV)

The Secret Place: here Jesus demonstrates for us the secret-place lifestyle. How much more focused and better grounded would we be if we followed this example?

My tongue will speak of your righteousness
and of your praises all day long.

Psalm 35:28 (NIV)

With respect to controlling the tongue, this verse reminds me of the holiness versus not-sinning mentality. Rather than focus on what he should avoid (the line between sin and righteousness), David pursues instead holiness: proclaiming God’s righteousness and praises. If we pursue the same thing in how we use our own tongues, would we really even have to worry about “slips” of the tongue?

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – The image of the boy crying that I posted up in the Psalms section made me wonder this – are you comfortable crying before God? Have you ever cried before God? Do you think it’s okay for us to cry before / to God? I just wonder if sometimes we hold back our emotions from God or try to prove to Him (and others?) that we really have it all together – when really we don’t? Why do you think that we sometimes try to hide our emotions or hide things from God?

I am absolutely comfortable crying before God. I’ve probably cried more before Him than anyone else. Why would it not be okay for us to cry before God? One of the most foolish things we can do is to think that we can hide anything from God. He searches and knows our hearts. He reveals what is hidden. He wants us to reveal to Him the innermost parts of our thoughts and emotions.

Of course, I’m one of those people with no ability whatsoever to have a “poker face”. I just can’t put on a facade. To some, it would be a curse; to me, it’s a blessing. People who know me know that what they see is what they get; what they see is who I am. While I reserve sharing certain intimate details with close friends with whom I have established deep levels of trust in the relationship, I never hide my emotions.

Corollary to that transparency is that, by personality and by choice, I am not driven by emotion – mine or others. Recognizing my emotions is an important part of analyzing them and their impact on a given circumstance or decision. In other words, being transparent with my emotions enables me not to allow them to control me; instead, I can recognize and understand what I am feeling, but choose to think and to act independent of those feelings.

Such separation is important when striving to live a life emulating Christ. (Remember Christ in Gethsemane: “Lord if you are willing, let this cup pass from me; yet not my will but yours be done.” Christ’s emotions compelled him NOT to go through with it, but He chose contrary to his emotions, instead choosing according to God’s will.) And the first step in mastering our emotions – and our response to them – is transparency with respect to those emotions. We must be transparent to ourselves first, and we must be transparent to God and to others as well.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 39-40
NT: Mark 1:1-28
Ps: Psalm 35:1-16
Pr: Proverbs 9:11-12

Today´s notable verse:

¹⁰ As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Mark 1:10-11 (NIV)

Father, Son, and Spirit, uniquely manifest and present together – the Godhead, Three in One, the Trinity – beautifully portrayed at Christ’s baptism.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – What are some things about the book of Exodus, which we are wrapping up today, or the Gospel of Matthew that we wrapped up yesterday, that stood out to you this year? What new thing did you learn about God and his people in Exodus this year? What new thing did you learn about Jesus and his teachings in Matthew this year?

I’d have to think about this one… both of these books are ones that I have studied extensively (in fact, memorized) in the past, so I’ll have to go back over my thoughts posted on them, to see what new insight or revelation this study has brought.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 37, Exodus 38
NT: Matthew 28
Ps: Psalm 34:11-22
Pr: Proverbs 9:9-10

Today´s notable verse:

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Matthew 20:5-10 (NIV)

For some reason, as I read this passage today, I was struck with the thought of just how controversial – or, at least, unorthodox – it must have been for Christ to give the honor of his first appearance after His resurrection, not to mention, the honor of announcing His resurrection, to women. Such a stark contrast to other cultures or religions, in Christianity women are held to be equal in worth, value, and merit to men. Women have an equal place and calling in the work of the body of Christ. Now, we can debate the nature of leadership and Spiritual appointments – and that debate is a valid one – but even thse few verses demonstrate just how radical Christianity was (and continues to be) compared to contemporary culture and opinion.

⁹ Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
¹⁰ “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:9-10 (NIV)

Just a thought reminding me of yesterday’s notes on Proverbs, that humility, rather than pride, is the root of the wise receiving instruction and the righteous receiving learning to their benefit.

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – How are you participating in Jesus’ Great Commission today in your life? Are you in some way helping make disciples? Are you in some way helping to baptize? Are you teaching people to obey Jesus’ commands?

I have known since middle school that I have a calling to missions. God has not yet released me to full-time mission work, but I have had the opportunity to participate in several short-term mission projects. Lord willing, I will be going to Mexico this summer for the fourth time (I have also been to Canada and England, but have always had a heart for central/South America – especially Mexico). I think my calling is less as an evangelist, and more as a teacher. I love teaching children, and would (I think) enjoy teaching and sending out local pastors to start or shepherd churches in their own country. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me when he releases me from the temporary position into which He has led me.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 35:10-35, Exodus 36
NT: Matthew 27:32-66
Ps: Psalm 34:1-10
Pr: Proverbs 9:7-8

Today´s notable verses:

All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded…

Exodus 35:10 (NIV)

Two things come to mind in this verse, two points of view on the same idea, really: first, that when God commands for us to do something, He gives us the ability to accomplish that which He commands of us. He doesn’t leave us to our own means, but provides everything we need. Second, that when God gives us skill, ability, resources, opportunities, etc., we have an obligation to demonstrate good stewardship of that with which He has entrusted us. God does not provide to us merely for our own edification or enjoyment (though He does wish both of those for every one of us!), but so that He may use us as willing participants in carrying out His will.

⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.

Psalm 10:4-5 (NIV)

For some reason, the idea of seeking the Lord, and Him answering, really sticks out to me. Jesus reiterates this principle for us in the New Testament (Matthew 7:7-8). The second verse reminds me of our OYB reading yesterday, of Moses’ radiance after spending time in the Presence of God.

Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

Proverbs 9:8 (NIV)

I think the primary difference between the wise man and the mocker is pride versus arrogance. A wise man accepts rebuke in humility, recognizing his own imperfection, and desiring every opportunity to conform more fully to pefection. The mocker despises rebuke, because in his pride he does not want his imperfection to be exposed, lest others think less highly of him.

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on this Proverb above, do you ever rebuke anyone? …When do you feel it is appropriate to rebuke someone? Is it based on a relationship? Is it based on if they ask your opinion on a matter? Will you ever rebuke someone even if not asked an opinion on the matter? Are you careful to not rebuke mockers or the wicked, but only to rebuke the wise? How do you discern who is wise and able to receive a rebuke? Conversely, have you ever been rebuked by someone else? Have you ultimately loved that person for the rebuke? Even if the rebuke stung at the time, were you ultimately appreciative of receiving the rebuke?

The answer, really, is, “it depends.” If I am given a role of spiritual authority in someone’s life, part of that role is to give rebuke when it is needed. Parents are responsible for rebuking their children, for example; or, if I am serving another as a mentor, I have a similar responsibility. In such situations, offering rebuke is an act of love, and must be handled accordingly. Such a rebuke is an expression of the desire to help someone conform more and more to the standard to which God has called us.

In these examples, I am referring to a rebuke of a person. Another form of rebuke applies to ideas. I think we are much less restricted in rebuking an idea espoused by someone than we are to rebuke that person’s character. For example, I have never had a problem debating a doctrinal matter with a teacher or other superior/elder if I believe that person to be teaching incorrect doctrine; however, I would likely never dream of rebuking that same person for some perceived character issue or sin. In such a situation, Jesus’ teaching on caring for the plank in my own eye, before helping another with the speck in his eye, applies.

I think I am good at receiving rebuke; at least, I try to be. Generally, discerning between rebuke given in love, and rebuke given otherwise is pretty easy. I am thankful that a brother or sister would love me enough to rebuke me lovingly that, even if I don’t agree with the rebuke, will make every effort to receive it graciously, and keep the disagreement to myself – taking it instead later to the Lord in prayer.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 34, Exodus 35:1-9
NT: Matthew 27:15-31
Ps: Psalm 33:12-22
Pr: Proverbs 9:1-6

Today´s notable verse:

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

Psalm 33:12 (NIV)

David here is talking about the nation of Israel specifically – and also prophetically, about we who are grafted into the nation of God, through our identification with Christ. However, I cannot help but think how blessed my own country has been in its few short centuries of existence, because its founders established it on a firm belief in the providence of God. Take, for example, this quote from Thomas Jefferson, which I have chosen as the tagline for this blog: “And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?” Let us never waiver in that belief!

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – I love all of our Proverbs readings about wisdom these days. And obviously I think most of us would agree that we are finding wisdom in the Bible. My question for today is this – can we find wisdom outside of the Bible? …How about you? Do you think you get wisdom in places outside of the Bible today? Where are those places?

The great thing about Godly wisdom is that it works whether it is applied by a believer or a non-believer. I know of some very wise non-believers, who are applying Biblical wisdom and principles without even knowing it. I don’t know if Steven Covey is a Christian, but his works certainly espouse Biblical wisdom and principles. The Bible is my primary source for seeking wisdom; if I’m seeking wisdom concerning something, I go to the Bible. However, I can recognize and appreciate Biblical wisdom when I see it elsewhere.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 32-33
NT: Matthew 26:69-75, Matthew 27:1-14
Ps: Psalm 33:1-11
Pr: Proverbs 8:33-36

Today´s notable verses:

The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.

Exodus 32:16 (NIV)

What a unique and miraculous blessing to the Israelites: the very Word of God, inscribed by God Himself! Thw points come to mind: first, that the Israelites squandered such a precious gift by inciting the anger of Moses and provoking him to throw down the tablets in his rage. Second, that even this precious gift was but a pale reflection of God’s later work:

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

II Corinthians 2:3 (NIV)

God has made each one of us more precious than those stone tablets, since He Himself ascended and shattered Himself on the Cross for our sake, and has engraved His Spirit on our hearts, and in so doing has given us His perfect Law and made it so integral to our lives that our very lives are now identified in it, and in it alone.

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Exodus 33:11 (NIV)

I once heard a teaching concerning Joshua in this verse, that his later accomplishments originated, in part, in this verse. He was with Moses in the tent of meeting, and he stayed. He sought the same intimacy with the Lord that Moses had. He stayed in the place of meeting with the Lord. He longed for the presence and glory of the Lord.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – The Golden Calf readings… Are we so different from the Israelites? Do we make our own versions of “golden calves” today? Do we have idols that we worship? Money? Career? Popularity? Relationships? Addictions? Our Intelligence? Technology? Do these idols stand in the way of our worship of God? Do they stand in the way of our relationship with God? Do these idols defile us?

What amazes me about this incident is that the Israelites turned to Aaron for guidance, and he failed them miserably; yet God still ordained Aaron to be His High Priest – another example of God, in His grace, using people for His purposes despite (and through) their failures.

I think the real sin here was the Israelites’ lack of faith, and their willingness to put their trust in something so obviously man-made, while the Presence of the Lord yet remained on the mountain with Moses. Perhaps their actions resulted from taking their eyes off of the mountain, looking to the desert and wilderness, rather than staying focused on God’s Presence?

And we are still the same today. Our faith still falters. We still put our trust in all those things mentioned, especially when we take our eyes off of our Lord. And just as Peter, walking on water, began to sink when he took his eyes off of Jesus, so too do we begin to become overwhelmed by the world when we take our eyes off of Him.