Monday, November 11: Ezekiel 23:1-49, Hebrews 10:18-39, Psalm 109:1-31, Proverbs 27:13 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 23:1-49, Hebrews 10:18-39, Psalm 109:1-31, Proverbs 27:13 

Scripture:
Hebrews 10:18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

Observation: Our sins are completely covered when we have confessed and believe that God has redeemed us.

Application: When reading through this passage today, I immediately thought of the message our pastor preached yesterday in church. Here are my notes:

Our pastor talked about what is the church's "Brand Logo"? Outside of the church it tends to be the cross. The cross can be regarded symbol that Christ died for us. Our pastor suggested that inside the church, the "brand logo" should be the communion elements. The elements are symbols to Christ's willing sacrifice, the act of freely giving of his body and his blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Our sins have been forgiven, bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus.

Prayer: Creator God, we are sinful people so undeserving of your mercy and grace. We fall short every time. Yet, you have redeemed us by your sacrifice and paid for our sins with blood. Let us never forget that sin has a cost and that blood is shed to cover that sin. It was that way in the Garden of Eden and continues today. Help us to share that Your forgiveness of sins is for all of us no matter what we have done and no matter how badly we have messed up that You are ready and willing to forgive us. Amen.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 24:1-26:21, Hebrews 11:1-16, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 27:14 

Friday, November 8th: Ezekiel 18:1-19:14, Hebrews 9:1-10, Psalm 106:32-48, Proverbs 27:10 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Ezekiel 18:1-19:14, Hebrews 9:1-10, Psalm 106:32-48, Proverbs 27:10 

Ezekiel 18: ²⁰ The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness.

We are not responsible for other people's choices or sin.
We are responsible for our own choices and sin.

Sometimes we need to confront someone about their sin, but it is not our job to convict them or get them to repent.

Thankful that God is a just God!

Friday, November 16th: Ezekiel 40-42; 1 John 4 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 40-42; 1 John 4

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is such a comforting verse. God is bigger than our struggles, and our fears, and everything else in this world. We don’t need to be afraid because it is the same God who lives in us. We have victory over these struggles we have now because we have God on our side. We belong to the Winner of this war. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 43-45; 1 John 5

Thursday, November 15th: Ezekiel 37-39; 1 John 3 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 37-39; 1 John 3

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse is very encouraging in the way that we can find comfort in knowing we are God’s children, but we also need to not give up on our secular friends and neighbours. They belong to a very hopeless world. They aren’t adopted in God’s kingdom, so they don’t have the security that we do. Use that as fuel to keep pursuing those friendships, and wanting to share the hope we have in Christ. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 40-42; 1 John 4

Wednesday, November 7th: Ezekiel 16-18, John 18 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 16-18, John 18

Ezekiel 18: 30 “Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! 31 Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? 32 I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!
This passage clearly depicts God's perspective - He loves the people of Israel, confronts them with their sin, encouraging them to repent, warning them that sin will destroy them, offering them a new heart, demonstrating His desire that they choose life, that they choose Him.

And He does the very same with us today.

The call is clear.
Repent.
Turn from sin.
Turn to God for a new heart.
Choose life!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 19-21, John 19

Monday, November 5: Ezekiel 10-12, John 16~ by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 10-12, John 16

This stood out for me:

12 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.

We live in a rebellious house (society). We live in a world of grey instead of truth and lies (black and white). When you watch the news or hear of the ways that people are choosing to live in opposition to God it is easy to see that some people have had their eyes closed and the ears refuse to listen to the truth. We live in a rebellious house.

28 Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.”

You know how you eagerly wait for something.... the anticipation and the planning and the waiting. It seems like while you are waiting that it takes forever for it to come. Yet when the event is over, when you look back on the waiting it can seem so short. One day Jesus will return. He promised that He would and He keeps His promises. While we wait, the anticipation and the planning and the waiting seem to be taking a LONG time. However, I think that when Christ returns it will seem like it hasn't been that long.

I felt like this was a connection to the NT readings:

21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 

When a mother is waiting for her baby to arrive she waits with eager anticipation. During the labour, it may seem like this baby will never arrive! When it finally does, all the waiting, all the anticipation, and all the pain are worth it. We are waiting for Christ to return and some days are full of pain. However, one day all that will be worth it and we will experience a joy as never before. We know how the story ends:

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 13-15, John 17

Thurday, November 1st: Ezekiel 1-3, John 13 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 1-3, John 13

Ezekiel 2: 6-7
And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. [7] You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 

These verses stood out to me. Three times it is mentioned "Do not be afraid..."

A reminder to us today as well, "Do not be afraid" when things aren't going well or look gloomy. God is with us to the end, and will see us through difficult situations. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 4-6, John 14

Monday, December 4: Ezekiel 47-48; 1 John 3 ~ by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 47-48; 1 John 3

Two verses stuck out from today's readings in 1 John 3:

13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[b] if the world hates you. 

 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Verse 13 reminds me that as Christians we are constantly under attack by Satan. I think specifically of the court case right now before the Supreme Court of Canada concerning whether a Christian University can open a law school. The world can preach tolerance but hates truth. We are not surprised that our society is breaking and falling apart as they step away from God and His design. As a teacher at a private Christian school I wonder how this verdict will affect my job and my future and ability to teach what the Bible says.

However, just a few verses later we learn how to respond to the hate of the world. We are not to use merely our words but we are to act in love and in truth. May they know we are Christians by our love. May we continue to pray for a world that hates us. May we continue to love in our actions. May we always speak in, and seek, truth. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Daniel 1-2; 1 John 4

Sunday, December 3rd: Ezekiel 45-46; 1 John 2 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 45-46; 1 John 2

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” - ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15‬

Sometimes it seems like it would be a lot easier to love the world rather than the Father. But we know that it will bring us much more joy and peace to love God rather than the world. Jesus said it wouldn’t be easy being a Christian, and it might give us more trials than if we weren’t Christians. But with God, we have hope. We know that this life is so so short compared to the eternity we will live in joy with the Father. So when the world seems tempting, we need to trust that God has a plan, and it is far more rewarding than anything this world can offer.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 47-48; 1 John 3

Saturday, December 2nd: Ezekiel 42-44; 1 John 1 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 42-44; 1 John 1

1 John 1:6-7 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
We cannot have a relationship with God and dwell in sin/darkness at the same time.  It's impossible.  There is no darkness in God.  None.  And if we claim otherwise, we are liars.

From Verse by Verse Commentary.....

PRINCIPLE:

We cannot fellowship with a God of absolute perfection without confessing our sins.

APPLICATION:

Those who claim to fellowship with God but continue in sin without confessing their sin, just kid themselves. They are not in fellowship.

A crucial element to the Christian life is the recognition and acknowledgement of our sin. If we do not confess our sin, we walk in darkness. We reserve a dark side to our soul. Darkness is the absence of life. Walking in the light means that we are open to God. We are not afraid to expose any aspect of our lives to Him.
May we have the courage to expose the darkness in our hearts and to walk fully in the Light of His mercy and grace!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 45-46; 1 John 2

Thursday, November 30th: Ezekiel 37-39; 2 Peter 2 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 37-39; 2 Peter 2

25 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. 26 They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid. 27 When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations. 28 Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. 29 I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Truly, God's grace is amazing!

We, like the Israelites, have betrayed God time and time again.

Still, He offers us forgiveness.
Grace.
Mercy.
Compassion.
Slate wiped clean.
Righteousness.
Relationship with God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

All glory be to God for the great things He has done for us!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 40-41; 2 Peter 3

Wednesday, November 29th: Ezekiel 35 - 36, 2 Peter 1 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is:  Ezekiel 35-36; 2 Peter 1

2 Peter 1:16
For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Peter actually saw Jesus, and was an eyewitness, therefore he told us about Jesus and the importance of living for Him. This wasn't second hand information, but rather a first hand account.

2 Peter 1: 20-21
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. [21] For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit

Here we read that the Bible is God's word and interpretation, not man's. God used man to communicate His word to us. This is humbling, we are just people, but we are God's people and we are blessed to be able to know God and experience Him. I am also thankful for all He's done for me!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 37-39; 2 Peter 2

Tuesday, November 28th; Ezekiel 33-34; 1 Peter 5

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Ezekiel 33-34; 1 Peter 5

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

What stood out for me in this verse was "that he may lift you up in due time". I kind of always want him to lift me up in MY time! Ok God, I'm humbled before you, I'm waiting on you... is it time to be out of this yet?! This passage is a good reminder that in due time, he'll lift me out of it. He also doesn't say "don't be anxious while waiting" - he knows we will struggle with that and so gives us verse 7 instructing us what to do with that anxiety, because he cares for us!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 35-36; 2 Peter 1

Monday, November 27th: Ezekiel 30-32, 1 Peter 4 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 30-32; 1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithfulstewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
This verse was a good reminder to me that our gifts are not given to us to benefit only ourselves, but rather to benefit and serve others.  Our gifts are also not given to us in order for us to receive glory and praise, but instead those gifts are to glorify God.  This doesn't mean that we cannot accept a compliment about our gifts or a skill we have honed (as instructed to do elsewhere in God's Word), but we should not allow it to become a stumbling block of pride, forgetting to acknowledge that it is by God's grace that we have received the gift and the ability to improve our talent.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 33-34; 1 Peter 5

Sunday, November 26th: Ezekiel 27-29; 1 Peter 3 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 27-29; 1 Peter 3

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” - 1 Peter‬ ‭3:15‬

We need to be ready to answer the questions our friends, coworkers, and neighbours ask us about our faith. We need to read God’s Word, and have spiritual conversations with each other so that we never stop learning about God. If we do this, we will become closer with God, we will feel more confident in our faith, and we will be able to answer questions that nonbelievers might have. We need to be ready to answer their questions, and we need to act out what it looks like to have a relationship with God, because we might be the only Jesus that they will ever see.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 30-32; 1 Peter 4

Saturday, November 25th: Ezekiel 24-26; 1 Peter 2 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 24-26; 1 Peter 2

Ezekiel 24:15 The word of the Lord came to me: 16 “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. 17 Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners.”

18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.
Every time I read this passage it jumps out at me.  I mean, how can it not?!  Much has already been asked of Ezekiel in his role as God's prophet and mouthpiece to Israel.  But this....this just seems like it's too much to ask. 

And I think that's a very natural, human reaction. 

Yet God gives Ezekiel the strength and ability to see past the human viewpoint, and rather to grasp the eternal point of view.  We are so prone to grasp onto this life with desperation (and indeed, the will to live is a good thing!) but what we need is Ezekiel's perspective, and Paul's in Philippians 1 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain".  It's a difficult perspective when it comes to our own lives, but it's even more difficult when it comes to the lives of the ones we love.

Thankfully we don't have to understand in order to have faith.  And we don't need to rely on our own strength when it comes to faith, but rather rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 27-29; 1 Peter 3

Friday, November 24th: Ezekiel 22-23; 1 Peter 1 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Ezekiel 22-23; 1 Peter 1

"uses his power to shed blood"
"have treated father and mother with contempt"
"have oppressed the foreigner"
"mistreated the fatherless and the widow"
"have despised my holy things and desecrated my Sabbaths"
"eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts"
"dishonor their father’s bed"
"violate women during their period"
"commits a detestable offense with his neighbor’s wife"
"shamefully defiles his daughter-in-law"
"accept bribes to shed blood"
"take interest and make a profit from the poor"
"extort unjust gain from your neighbors"
"you have forgotten me"

The above quotes are all from Ezekiel 22.  These verses are describing how the people of Jerusalem have been behaving.  It's sad.  It's disheartening.  It's tragic.  It's hopeless.  It's detestable.  Unfortunately, this is us in 2017 too.  

Thankfully, we have our reading in the NT to follow the words from Ezekiel:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,"
1 Peter 1:3-4

Despite our fallen world, and within that our own personal failures, we have this hope that is found not in this world, but in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In the meantime, yes we live here, but we can also live in joy and peace knowing that one day we will be in Heaven with our Heavenly Father.  An inheritance that we do not have to check on to see if the value has risen or crashed, but rather one that will never fade.  What a glorious and powerful hope that belongs to us!                      

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 24-26; 1 Peter 2

Thursday, November 23rd: Ezekiel 20-21; James 5 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 20-21; James 5

Ezekiel 20:9 But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites.
Phrases similar to this appear multiple times in our passage.  To me this is a good reminder that God chose to save me, just like He chose to save the Israelites.  And He didn't choose me because there was anything special about me.  He didn't choose me because I'm any better than anyone else.  He chose me despite me.  He chose me in order to glorify His name.

Yes, He saves us because He loves us.  But He also saves us for the sake of His name.  And I am thankful, so thankful, for His saving grace.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 22-23; 1 Peter 1

Wednesday, November 22nd: Ezekiel 18-19, James 4 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Ezekiel 18-19; James 4


Ezekiel 18:23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

Ezekiel 18:32
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Does God take pleasure in us sinning and turning from Him? Absolutely not! Here it says, and God shows, that He wants us to turn from our sin and follow Him. He loves us and wants us to choose to follow Him.

James 4:8
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded

Again, an invitation to everyone to go to God. Clean up the sin in our lives by asking for forgiveness for it and trying our best to do better.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 20-21; James 5

Tuesday, November 21st: Ezekiel 16-17; James 3 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 16-17; James 3

James 3:9-10 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
I think we all need this reminder over and over again.  Words have the ability wound deeply.  Words also have the ability to build each other up, and to praise God.

How are we using our words?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 18-19; James 4