Thanks to the From Knowledge To Wisdom blog, who has collected a list of One Year Bible Bloggers. I've been thinking about adding an OYB blogroll. This list will help motivate me to do so!

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 39, Genesis 40, Genesis 41:1-16
NT: Matthew 12:46-50, Matthew 13:1-23
Ps: Psalm 17
Pr: Proverbs 3:33-35

Today´s notable verse:

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.

Matthew 12:50 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day - Based on my comments above related to our readings in Genesis about God blessing Potiphar for Joseph's sake - I wonder - does God intervene and bless our work lives? I think he does. I'd love to get your opinions on this - do you pray about your work life regularly? Do you think God blesses your work life? And like Joseph, does God maybe bless those around you, even if they aren't necessarily in relationship with God? And maybe does he do this for your sake?

I think that God does bless us, so that we may bless others, and so that God may be glorified. When I seek to glorify God in my work - or in whatever I do - God blesses that work. I think God blesses us because He loves us, and wants to bless us, but the ultimate purpose of such blessing is, again, to reciprocate that blessing, and to glorify God.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 37, Genesis 38
NT: Matthew 12:22-45
Ps: Psalm 16
Pr: Proverbs 3:27-32

Today´s notable verse:

I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:8 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

My first question I had was whether Joseph should have shared these dreams with his family? And I asked this question because I wonder if sometimes we also maybe get an insight or what we believe to be a word from God - and if we should share these things with others? Or keep them between God and ourselves? I don't have an easy answer on this one... If you have some thoughts on this, please post up in the "Comments" section below. The other thing that came to mind for me here is what role do dreams play for us today? Does God still communicate to people via dreams today?

Hard to say, whether or not Joseph should have shared his dreams with his family. Most of the OT prophets were given visions, or a word, and then told to go tell someone; in most cases, the "going" involved several days' (or months', or years') travel - time spent meditating on the Word given them. Perhaps Joseph should have done the same. On the other hand, Joseph was a boy at the time, and would not have had the wisdom of a more mature adult. If God gave him these dreams at this point in his life, then it is reasonable to assume that God would extend him grace to account for such lack of wisdom. Perhaps God's plan would have worked out differently, had Joseph acted differently; regardless, God - who had fore-knowledge of the events about to transpire - used what happened to accomplish his will.

I think that we do still hear from God today. God has not changed, so why would His means of communication change? However, circumstances have changed. The Word of the OT prophets was the literal Word of God. They spoke with the authority of the literal Word of God, at the risk of death. Today, we have the complete and written Word of God, in the form of the Bible. This Word is the standard by which we are to judge any Word from God that we hear, or that others hear. I believe that God established the five-fold ministry in the New Testament - Apostles, Prophets, Preachers, Teachers, and Evangelists - and that this five-fold ministry is still at work today. However, the prophetic ministry is under the authority and constraint of the established Word of God - that is, the Bible. Why should God not still speak to His people through visions and dreams? I see nothing scripturally that indicates that certain workings or forms of communication that were in place in NT times have ceased. Food for thought - what does this mean: "...For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Rev. 19:10 NIV)

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 35, Genesis 36
NT: Matthew 12:1-21
Ps: Psalm 15
Pr: Proverbs 3:21-26

Today´s notable verse:

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew 12:8 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

The other thing that these Proverbs verses remind me of is one of my favorite three word quotes - "Habits determine success." I've spoken about this in some of my weekly emails in regards to reading the One Year Bible each day. It takes some planning and insight for us to figure out when we will realistically read the Bible for 15 minutes every day. After this planning and insight and after a week or two we've suddenly built up a great habit. A habit that will determine our success in reading the Bible in a year.

Actually, as I understand it, a behavior takes about 21 consecutive days to form a "habit". Regardless, the point is the same. That's why I set my alarm an hour earlier, to be sure I have time to read and write each morning. (Establishing the complimentary habit - getting to bed an hour earlier - has been more difficult.)

Comments from you & Question of the Day - Based on my reflections in Proverbs above, how do you go about planning things in your life? In what ways do you invite God into the process of planning your life? And in what ways, or at what times, do you simply make decisions based on your own knowledge or common sense? What is the foundation of your own knowledge or common sense? Is it the Bible? Is it God? Do you suppose with the foundation of God and the Bible in our lives, that we may not need to take every single decision throughout our day to God in prayer because we are operating (generally speaking) from a biblical godly worldview? How do you balance taking things to God for guidance and making decisions on your own?

Wow, if only you knew just how impactful those questions have been in my life recently... We should always seek God when we make decisions. It is wise to take major decisions to God in prayer, and to seek the counsel of godly men and women. For the day-to-day life decisions, I think we need to have God's Word stored up inside of us, so that we can apply it. It is never wrong to seek wisdom from God directly, but I think we can become spiritually "lazy" by not using His Word, that He has already given us, to prepare us to make such decisions. Bear in mind also that God's wisdom usually turns worldly wisdom on its head, and that the right decision is seldom the easy one. God's principles seem exactly opposite to worldly common sense: to become a leader, serve? To become great, become the least? To live, die? Repay evil with kindness, and pray for those who persecute you? To the world, what nonsense! To us, however, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God! (I Corinthians 1:18-31)

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 32:13-20, Genesis 33, Genesis 34
NT: Matthew 11:7-30
Ps: Psalm 14
Pr: Proverbs 3:19-20

Today´s notable verse:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day - Based on my last question in the Proverbs section above, have you been keeping up with all of the news and issues of the day surrounding intelligent design / creationism / evolution? I have only kept up at a high level. Are there any websites or books or resources you can recommend to further study intelligent design & creationism? Can anyone offer up a good definition or distinction between intelligent design & creationism - if there is a difference? Do you think it is possible to believe in both intelligent design and evolution - if God's hand was guiding evolution - or no?

I'll have to find the time to write at length on this subject, as it is of interest to me. I think the whole ID-vs-evolution debate is based on bad premises. To answer your question, intelligent design (ID) is simply the alternative to evolution. (Here's my problem with the opposition to ID as scientific theory: if evolution is "sound" science, then it must be - one of the purported arguments against ID - falsifiable. So, if it's a falsifiable theory, then something else must be true. Evolution simply states that random chance produced life as we know it. The alternative to random chance is some non-random event/events. The theory that life came from non-random events is a perfectly valid definition of ID theory.) Creationism, on the other hand, introduces philosophical/moral/religious ideas on top of ID. ID theory itself does not discuss, per se, how or why or by whom or what. Using the term Creationism invokes these issues (in my opinion).

NOTE: The use of the term "evolution" here applies to macro-evolution - speciation - the theory of one species of live evolving through genetic mutuation into a distinct species. The theory of this form of evolution has never been observable nor reproducible: two other fundamental requirements for a theory being considered "sound" science. Micro-evolution, on the other hand - genetic mutation resulting in changes within a species - does happen. No one credibly argues against it.

Note also that evolution is not intended nor is it adequate for answering questions of origin. I think, to ask if evolution can be consistent with the Genesis creation story as a whole would be to invoke questions of origin, and therefore not really appropriate. However, I don't think that evolutionary theory is consistent with the Genesis story for the creation of man. Genesis states that man was a new and unique creation, from the dust of the earth.

I'll write more coherently, and more at length, on this subject in the future.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 31:17-55, Genesis 32:1-12
NT: Matthew 10:26-42, Matthew 11:1-6
Ps: Psalm 13
Pr: Proverbs 3:16-18

Today´s notable verse:

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day - In our Matthew chapter 10 readings today we read this teaching from Jesus in verses 24 & 25 - ""A student is not greater than the teacher. A servant is not greater than the master. The student shares the teacher's fate. The servant shares the master's fate. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, how much more will it happen to you, the members of the household!" Do you believe these teachings of Jesus are true? Do we, as students of Jesus, share his fate? What was Jesus' fate? What then is our fate? Have you ever been persecuted or called names because of your faith in Jesus? Should we be surprised when this happens?

Here is part of the fate we share with Christ:

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:9-15 (NIV)

(See also: Ephesians 2:1-5)

As for persecution, we are truly blessed to live in a country in which the worst form of persecution we face is a twisted mis-interpretation of the meaning of "separation of church and state." I am reminded that this One Year Bible Blog group consists of people from all over the world - people some of whom know what real persecution means.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 30, Genesis 31:1-16
NT: Matthew 10:1-23
Ps: Psalm 12
Pr: Proverbs 3:13-15

Today´s notable verse:

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 10:16 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Matthew 10 verse 16 stands out - "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wary as snakes and harmless as doves." This is good advice for us today as well. Jesus is still sending us out today as his followers. And I do think this teaching is wise - for us to be wary and harmless at the same time. It's an interesting line to walk, but I believe a wise one. I believe the only way to really walk this line well is through the blessing of the Holy Spirit. I don't think we can do it on our own...

I chose this verse as today's notable verse as well. Though, the connotation of the NIV's translation as "shrewd as snakes" seems to have more emphasis than the NLT's translation as "wary as snakes." The ESV and Youngs Literal Translation translate this phrase as "wise as serpents", Darby translates as "prudent as serpents", Wycliffe translates as "sly as serpents." The original Greek word used here is phronimos, which means "practically wise, sensible" and is derived from phroneo, which means "to have understanding, to think." Perhaps this understanding brings much more clarity, eh? Jesus is telling his disciples to think and to understand; to be wise, practical, and sensible with respect to the world around them, and the people with whom they interact. The term in, but not of applies here, since Jesus also tells his disciples to be "blameless as doves." Indeed, it is a fine line to walk - to learn enough of the world and of people to understand them, yet to keep ourselves set apart from the world, and from worldly people. If we separate ourselves from the world, we don't risk being influenced by the world - but we also have no opportunity to influence the world for Christ, as salt and light. I would rather face my own failure to set myself apart from the world and risk sinning than isolate myself from the world and risk the opportunity to help one who is lost in the world to find Christ. You know what, either way, I'm going to sin. I do, every day! But on the one hand, God can use me; on the other, I am useless. I would much rather be a useful sinner than useless sinner. Either way, my salvation is secure; but, oh, that I would hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"

Comments from you & Question of the Day - Based on my discussion of "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant above, are there other Biblical fiction books that you have read that you would recommend? The Red Tent is the first Biblical fiction book I have read, and I'd like to read some more. Please post up in the Comments section below any other Biblical fiction books you'd recommend?

I know it's probably not exactly what you are looking for, but Eli by Bill Myers was a great read. It is a parallel-universe "what-if" book based on the premise that the Gospel story happens in the present-day United States. (Bill Myers' Fire of Heaven trilogy is great as well, but it is apocalyptic Christian fiction, and definitely outside the scope of the question. His best book may be Face of God.)
 
 
 
 
 

UPDATE:

Bald Man Blogging poses this question:

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” And suddenly they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don't tell anyone about this.” But instead, they spread his fame all over the region.

Curious why Jesus didn't want them to say anything. As a result of their testimony, legions of sick were brought to Jesus wherever he went. Was he hoping to escape the crowds and get on to something else? Was this great healing ministry a “sidetrack” to Jesus' real purpose? Again, I don't have answers; just questions.

I can think of several reasons Jesus may have given the erstwhile blind men such a command (and he does so elsewhere, as well) - reasons consistent with what we know of Christ. Perhaps it was a matter of timing? Even with Jesus, his ministry had a specific timing in which he was to carry it out - just as we today see the element of timing in God's plan for our lives. Perhaps it was important the Jesus' ministry that those who sought him for healing did so because of their belief in who he claimed to be, rather than their belief in the testimony of those whom he had already healed. Perhaps these men (and others to whom he gave the same command) needed some element of personal/spiritual growth that could only be accomplished through their subsequent experience with living healed yet unable to explain how or by whom. All of the above? None? This question is perhaps one of those for which we won't know the answer until Christ's return.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 28, Genesis 29
NT: Matthew 9:18-38
Ps: Psalm 11
Pr: Proverbs 3:11-12

Today´s notable verses:

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, for the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Verses 37 & 38 are so powerful in today's readings - "He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields."" I think each of us can reflect on this teaching from Jesus. Do you agree with Jesus that the harvest is so great? And the workers are few? Will you pray to God for more workers for his kingdom work? Are you one of God's workers in his kingdom work?

I think the key to this kind of perspective comes from the previous verse - and something for which I pray: Christ's compassion. When we see the harassed and helpless crowds through Christ's eyes, and with his love and compassion, then we cannot help but to understand how great the harvest, and how few the workers. Here Christ commands us to pray that God would send workers, but when we pray out of the same compassion he felt, we cannot help but to be convicted that we, too, are to be workers in the field.

Comments from you & Question of the Day - Based on our Proverbs reading today, do you believe there is such a thing as godly discipline? Do you believe that God corrects those that he loves? Can you think of any areas or times of your life where God has corrected you? Is there perhaps an area of your life today where God is correcting you? Will you not ignore this correction and will you not allow yourself to get discouraged?

Absolutely, godly discipline exists; and it is vital for our maturation as adults, and in our faith. God disciplines through those in authority over us - which, until we are adults, are our parents. God disciplines us through the principle of action-reaction/decision-consequence as applied in all circumstances of our lives. Bear in mind that "discipline" does not mean simply "punishment", but also teaching, training, rebuke, and admonishment. God uses each, as appropriate.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 26:17-XX, Genesis 27
NT: Matthew 9:1-17
Ps: Psalm 10:16-18
Pr: Proverbs 3:9-10

Today´s notable verse:

But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

Matthew 9:13 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

How do you find yourself operating in your own life - more often out of the scarcity mentality or the abundance mentality? Do you see the risk of the scarcity mentality? And the blessing of the abundance mentality? Do you believe that there is Room Enough?

The concept of abundance versus scarcity mentality is related to self- versus Christ- or other-centered thinking. If I believe that God is able to provide more than enough (abundance), then I am freed to consider the needs of others, and rely upon God to take care of my own. If, however, I fear that due to scarcity I must fend for myself, I will first take care of my own needs, to the exclusion of others. Abundance mentality results from faith; scarcity mentality from fear. Abundance mentality results from believing that God is able to provide immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 4:20), and that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Borrowing again from Steven Covey's Seven Habits, abundance mentality leads to "Win-Win" thinking - if God can provide more than enough, then I can concentrate on meeting the needs of others (they "win") while believing that God will provide for me as well (I "win"). The key is to be able to concentrate on meeting the needs of others even to the risk of our own, temporary loss. But I can attest that God is faithful; I have never gone through an experience in which I sacrificed my own needs to meet another's, and God did not, in the end, see that my own needs were also met.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 24:52-66, Genesis 25, Genesis 26:1-16
NT: Matthew 8:18-34
Ps: Psalm 10:1-15
Pr: Proverbs 3:7-8

Today´s notable verse:

[Jesus] replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Matthew 8:26 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

The question is this - Are you willing to die for your faith? (again... I said this is heavy....) This would be the ultimate cost in this life for any of us. Our life. And it may well be that this cost will never be asked of you. But - for many in our world today, they are indeed paying this cost of their lives for their faith in Jesus. There have been martyrs throughout the centuries, and there still countless martyrs are in our world today. Certainly, as we proceed through this gospel of Matthew we will see that Jesus is willing to die for his faith. So, again, it's a tough question - but are you willing to die for your faith?

To a Christian, death holds no fear. The manner of death, perhaps - but not death itself. What happens when we die? We meet our Savior face-to-face, and enter into our eternal reward. I am reminded of The Return of the King, when Aragorn says, "I do not fear death!" and when Gandalf muses, "End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path... One that we all must take." I think the more difficult question is this: am I willing to lay down my life each day for Christ? Am I willing to sacrifice my self-interest, my confort, and my desires in order to serve Christ? I honestly believe that this choice is much more difficult that the one of literal life or death. Will I allow myself to be hurt in order that my brother or sister may be strengthened? Will I allow myself to be dishonored that Christ may be honored? These questions we face every day - and every day we fail, in one way or another, be it minor or spectacular. Thank God for His grace to carry us through!