Monday, August 5, 2019: Ezra 1:1-2:70, 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, Psalm 27:7-14, Proverbs 20:22-23

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 1:1-2:70, 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, Psalm 27:7-14, Proverbs 20:22-23

Scripture:
Ezra 1:1
In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:

1 Corinthians 1:19

19 As the Scriptures say,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
    and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”

10 Psalm 27:10

Even if my father and mother abandon me,
    the Lord will hold me close.

23 Proverbs 20:23

The Lord detests double standards;
    he is not pleased by dishonest scales.


Observation: The Lord keeps His promises.

Application: Whether it is immediate or after many years, God always comes through. Whether it is a prophecy or a spoken promise, God always come through. Whether good (obedience) or bad (punishment) God always comes through. Whether it is in this lifetime or in Heaven, God always comes through. I was reminded this week that God's timing is not our timing. If we think that our time on earth is but a vapour, then even waiting for God's fulfillment of his promise is just a moment for Him and yet it could be years for us to see the answer to prayer or fulfillment of His promises. What an encouragement it is to know God always keeps his word.

Prayer: Creator God, thank you for being faithful. We can trust in You. We know You always keep your promises. Lord, we fall short and we demand answers and we want immediate gratification. Give us patience and endurance as we wait on Your timing and not on our timing.  Amen.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 3:1-4:23, 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4, Psalm 28:1-9, Proverbs 20:24-25 

Friday, December 7th: Ezra 9-10; Revelation 9:1-12 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 9-10; Revelation 9:1-12

“For we were slaves, but in his unfailing love our God did not abandon us in our slavery.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭9:9‬a

Just like God did not abandon His people in their slavery, He will not abandon us in our troubled times either. We fully deserve the hard times we go through, and we deserve even worse. But in His unfailing love, though we don’t deserve it, God walks with us through our trials, and saves us from them, like He did for His people in this passage.

What a merciful and loving God we serve, let’s take a moment to thank Him for all He has done for us, today. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Nehemiah 1-3; Revelation 9:13-21

Thursday, December 6th: Ezra 7-8, Revelation 8 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 7-8, Revelation 8

Ezra 8: 22-23
I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him .” [23] So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Ezra 8:31
On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way. 

What stood out to me from today's reading was the faith the Israelites had that God would protect them. They thought about asking the king for help but remembered that they had told the king that God would protect - and God did keep them safe on their journey!

Do we have faith that God will look out for us too? Do we ask Him for help and then trust Him? It may not be the way we think or want, but God knows best and will take care of us. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 9-10, Revelation 9:1-12

Saturday, November 24th: Ezra 4-6; Revelation 2:12-17 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 4-6; Revelation 2:12-17

As Ezra tells of the struggle the Israelites had with rebuilding the wall, and all the opposition that came with it, it reminds me of a few things.

First - few good things in life come easy.  Generally, things are worth a lot are not just handed to us on a silver platter.  We have to work for them.

Second - when we are doing God's work, we will be opposed.  There will be hardship, it will not be smooth sailing.  This isn't God closing a door, it's a call to perseverance. It's a call to remain faithful despite the difficulty.  It's a call to rely on God's strength instead of our own to complete the work.

Third - God will send encouragement and reinforcements.

Fourth - if God will it, it will succeed, no matter the opposition.  

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Haggai 1-2, Revelation 2:18-29

Friday, November 23rd: Ezra 1-3; Revelation 2:8-11 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 1-3; Revelation 2:8-11

Reading through the reading today, it was hard for me to pick something that stood out to me. But I realized that as I was slightly skimming over all of these names and numbers, just how many there actually were. 

“So a total of 42,360 people returned to Judah,”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭2:64‬

That’s how many people God returned from exile - that’s a lot!

It’s a good reminder of God’s faithfulness, and how He keeps His promises. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 4-6; Revelation 2:12-17

Wednesday, June 14th: Ezra 9-10, Acts 1 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 9-10; Acts 1

In our reading from Ezra today, we read about how the Israelites inter married with foreign women, which was against what God wanted. Both chapters in today's old testament reading talk about this, Ezra gets on his knees and talks about how good God has been to the Israelites,

Ezra 9:8
“But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and little relief in our bondage

God was good to the Israelites, and they fell back and continued to sin. God is good to us, even through we continue to sin. Do we see our sin - and ask for forgiveness, then try our best to not repeat our sins?

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Interesting that in Ezra 10: 18-44, the bible lists all who sinned in this way. Not often we read a list of names of those guilty.

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Acts 1:9
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

What an amazing sight this must have been! Jesus physically left, but we know that He will return one day. He completed what He came to do.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Nehemiah 1-3; Acts 2:1-21

Tuesday, June 13: Ezra 6-8; John 21 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Ezra 6-8; John 21

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

I read the following in the Bible Commentary found here and thought it a great description of what's going on here between Jesus and Peter:

John Montgomery Boice (source of the "title" above) has a superb, practical introduction to this concluding section of John's Gospel… 

If each of us knew how sinful we really are, we would not be so shocked or subdued by our failures. But most of us do not know the depths of our own depravity. So we are shocked, particularly by a fall into serious moral sin or by our surprising ability to deny Jesus Christ. When we sin in such ways, it is a tactic of the devil to argue that, having sinned, we have forfeited our chance for a successful and happy Christian life and that we might as well go on sinning. Like most of the devil’s statements this is untrue. Though we sin, we have nevertheless not forfeited our chances for a full Christian life, nor dare we go on sinning. Instead, the Christian way is that of repentance and restoration. This is the point of the story of Peter’s restoration by Jesus in John 21. Peter had failed the Lord in his hour of apparent need. He had abandoned him and had compounded his cowardice by a threefold denial that he had ever known him. Yet Jesus loved Peter, and Peter knew that he loved Jesus.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:Ezra 9-10; Acts 1

Monday, June 12th: Ezra 3-5; John 20 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 3-5; John 20

"Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed." John 20:8

"Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." John 20:25

"Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."" John 20:29

Sometimes it's easy to focus too much on physical proof. The cameras caught a picture of your vehicle running through a red light, proof you committed a crime. Your loved one surprises you by doing your least favourite chore, proof they love you. You earn a certificate when you graduate, proof you completed the course.

Jesus explains how much more valuable it is to have a faith that you don't even need physical proof to believe.

God doesn't just work in physical ways. Yes, Jesus did preform many miracles, but a lot of the work God does can't be seen. God gave us five different senses, and He can reveal Himself not just through sights, but other ways too. The phrase "a change of heart" is not meant literally, but rather as a symbol of God working through you.

So why then do we rely on God to "show himself" to us, in order for us to believe? Why should our loving, caring, and amazing Creator have to prove Himself?



Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 6-8; John 21

Sunday, June 11th: Ezra 1-2; John 19:23-42 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 1-2; John 19:23-42

What a wonderful gift we received from God, His only Son.

This is the story on which our faith is built. This is the story that reminds us that God is faithful. This is the story that gives us hope. The amount of torture Jesus went through for us is unimaginable. And to think He would've done that for me, even if I was the only person on earth. He is truly an all-powerful, all-loving, all-forgiving, beautiful God.

Thank you, God, for your unfathomable love and sacrifice. Help us to never forget all that You have done for us.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 3-5; John 20

Wednesday, September 28th: Ezra 4:7-23, Ezra 7-10 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Ezra 4:7-23, Ezra 7-10

Our reading today in Ezra 4:7-23 reminded me of how those who don't know God, and are against Christians, have some fear in them and respect for God's power, demonstrated in their hatred for God.

Here Rehum wrote to Artaxerxes the king about how the Jews (early use of the term "Jews" here, mostly men of Judah) came back to work on and rebuild Jerusalem, and how he wanted them to stop now before they got too far, because the Jews would go on their own then and have no need for King Artaxerxes.

King Artaxerxes followed through and wanted the work to stop, before the Jews grew powerful again.

Even those that don't live for Christ can see His power at times, and are fearful of Him. This complaining from Rehum was really fear and therefore respect of God's power. He thought they should stop it now, because it would get out of his control.

Do we realize and respect the power God has and uses? Is there anything that can stop God? He is in control at all times.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ezra shows that he is a man of God, and leads the Israelites back, with King Artaxerxes blessing. Two things stood out to me about Ezra, and how he humbly trusted in God for protection as he lead the Israelites away. They normally would have needed armed guards for protection as they crossed dangerous territory, but Ezra was ashamed to ask for help from King Artaxerxes, and God still protected Ezra.

The second thing was how ashamed Ezra was at the sin the Israelites returned to, shortly after getting a huge break in King Artaxerxes allowing them to leave for their homeland. The Israelite men then gave up their foreign wives and children, which couldn't have been easy, but showed a commitment to God.

Ezra's story reminded me in some ways of Moses story. Both men weren't perfect, but lead God's people to a better land, and had to deal with followers that couldn't help themselves and sinned along the way to a better place.

A good reminder of how Jesus sticks with us sinners along the way of life, we are far from perfect, but He forgives. Makes me thankful for a wonderful saviour.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Nehemiah 1-4

Sunay, September 25th: Zechariah 12-14, Ezra 6:15-22, Ezra 4:6 ~ Jay

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is:Zechariah 12-14, Ezra 6:15-22, Ezra 4:6 

As I was reading through today's passages I tried to picture myself listening to the prophet back when this was written. Prophets, including Zechariah were tasked with communicating God's message that could apply to current aspects of their intended audience's faith that needed to be corrected or encouraged, descriptions of near term future events (Temple being re-built), medium term events (Christ's coming), and long term promises that even today have not yet been fulfilled.  We have the ability to look back at the Bible and history to see the fulfillment of the short and medium term promises, which provides assurance of the promises yet to be fulfilled.  We can be assured that just as God delivered on His short and medium term promises...there are many yet to come and He is faithful to His commitments.

Zechariah 14:1-   "A day of the Lord is coming," This is one of the key long term promises that we must keep in mind every day.  Do we truly believe this? There are many references in scripture to the day of Christ's return...."Thief in the Night...", "No man knows the hour or the day..." I challenge myself to bear this in mind and if I began each day with this thought around Christ's return (today could be the day)....how differently would I prioritize and conduct myself?

The other key thought I took away from today's reading was around the fact that God can change the hearts and thoughts of even His fiercest enemies to fulfill His promises. In Ezra 6:22- "For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread,because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel."   We cannot fully comprehend the power of God's Spirit, and we must remain faithful even in the midst of fierce opposition ...as God is faithful to His promises and demands that same faithfulness from us. Strong individuals who oppose us are no match for a God who has the ability to change people's hearts, to accomplish His will.

Prayer- Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and commitment to fulfill your promises in spite of our inconsistency. May we be reminded every day, that this could be the day of Your return and live accordingly.    

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:

Saturday, September 24th: Ezra 5:3-17, Ezra 6:1-14, Zechariah 7-11 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 5:3-17, Ezra 6:1-14, Zechariah 7-11

The portion of our passage that stood out to me today was Zechariah 11, the section about the good and evil shepherds.

Zechariah acting out the role of shepherd demonstrated how God would reject His people because they rejected him, and how God would let them fall into the clutches of evil shepherds.   The shepherd staff named "Favor" was broken to show that God's covenant with His people was broken, and the staff named "Union" was broken to show that the unity between Judah and Israel was broken. It wasn't long after this that the Jews began to divide into many different groups - Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Herodians, and Zealots - a broken union indeed!

I appreciated the prophetic significance of v12-13.

v12 speaks about paying the shepherd 30 pieces of silver - which was insulting.  It's the same price paid to an owner for a slave gored by an ox (Exodus 21:32), but it's also the same amount of money Judas received for betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:3-10).  As my Life Application Bible says: The priceless Messiah was sold for the price of a slave.   

In v13 the 30 coins are thrown to the potter in the Temple of the Lord. In Matthew 27, Judas' 30 coins were returned to the temple and used to buy a potter's field.

And, of course, this passage reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and that He is the one we should follow.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Zechariah 12-14, Ezra 6:15-22, Ezra 4:6

Friday, September 23rd: Ezra 5:2, Haggai 2:20-23, Zechariah 1:7-6:15 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Ezra 5:2, Haggai 2:20-23, Zechariah 1:7-6:15

"The angel said to those who were standing before him, 'Take off his filthy clothes.'  Then he said to Joshua, 'See, I have taken away your sin, and I put fine garments on you.'"  Zechariah 3:4

How often do we judge someone by the way they are dressed and the clothes they are wearing?  I remember when I first started to work in retail sales, I was encouraged to try to see what kind of vehicle the customer drives and to take note of the clothes and jewellery they wear, and to just overall take note of how well they took care of themselves.

I can also recall a time when I was in junior high and someone in my class would tuck in their shirt only in the place that exposed the expensive brand name of the jeans they were wearing.

Quite often the clothes we wear can change how we psychologically feel about ourselves.  For us, clothing is something we wear and typically provides a perception for which social status group we belong to.

Clothing in the Bible is often more than something to wear.  For example, Joseph's coat of many colours was pictured as a "favoured" place in the family.  Even priests would wear special garments to perform their duties.  Kings would wear purple robes to display their wealth and power.  People even tore their robes and sometimes put on sackcloth to express grief.

Clothing in the bible is symbolic.  One of the most important pictures for God's forgiveness and salvation is that of putting on new, clean clothes.  To believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving Him, is like putting Him on as a garment.

We like to dress to impress, but who are we impressing?  Are we dressing with brand names so we can impress friends, family or strangers?  Or are we dressed with the Holy Spirit so we can impress our God and Saviour?


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 5:3-17, Ezra 6:1-14, Zechariah 7-11

Wednesday, September 21: Ezra 3:1-4:5, Daniel 10-11 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 3:1-4:5, Daniel 10-11

Two verses spoke to me today. Each different & yet common in that we need to keep our focus on God. When things don't go as planned, when we get impatient or when we think that maybe God isn't even listening, we need to be confident in Him & in the work he has set out for us.  We need to pray harder, never ceasing & trust that when we are within His will, no matter what comes at us, He will help us to succeed.


Ezra 4:4-5-
Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah & make them afraid to go on building. They hired counsellors to work against them & frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia & down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

There were people specifically hired to cause problems for the people of Israel as they worked to rebuild the temple. I can't imagine the frustration! Not just for a day or two, or even a week, month or year. They worked to frustrate their plans for likely 30+ years. I don't know about you, but I think I would have given up well before even a year was up!

Satan works to bring down God’s children & his work. We can even expect this.  However, we need to keep our focus on why we are doing what we are doing & keep pressing on. I think, as believers, this is also a great example of how we need to work together towards the common goal & encourage each other. The Israelites didn't give up & just like them, when the going gets hard (even if it's for 30 years), we can't just pack it in, but rather dig in our heels, roll up our sleeves & tough it out.


Daniel 10:12-14-
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding & to humble yourself before God, your words were heard, & I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

We live in a culture that is so instant & so self-gratifying. We get upset if we can't get/do something right away, when we want it & how we want it. This is in such contrast to how God works. He knows the right timing. When we feel frustrated that we don't get an answer right away, it's not that he hasn't heard us.

The imagery in these verses of the battles going on in the unseen world fills me with awe. It makes me feel small; not in a bad way, but to recognize who I am (& what I think is important) in the grand scheme of things.  It makes me recognize the importance to pray faithfully & earnestly until we receive our answer & to expect an answer from God, but in his time not mine.


God doesn't promise us that everything we do (even if it's for Him) will be easy, but we need to keep going. That doesn't necessarily sit well. In fact, it goes against everything this world tells us. But God hears us & knows what we need. He will provide for us, enable us, & give us His strength to keep going, even if it comes only in the amount we need just to get through each day. God is always faithful.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Daniel 12, Ezra 4:24-5:1, Haggai 1:1-2:9, Zechariah 1:1-6, Haggai 2:10-19

Tuesday, September 20th: 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1-2, Psalm 126, Psalm 147 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1-2, Psalm 126, Psalm 147

Scripture
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. Psalm 126:5

Observation
In my Bible, this verse has a little cross beside it which points me to a different passage (Galatians 6:9) which reads: So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.
Application
When life isn't going our way, and the answer to our prayers seems so distant, we need to not give up. We need to keep doing what is right and honourable in God's eyes. As my wise mother told me once, you can either be a slave to fear, or a slave to Christ. One brings hopelessness and destruction, the other brings love and hope. We may not get our reward here on earth, but we can be sure that if we do what God would find right and honouring to His Name, we will get our reward in Heaven.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to never lose sight of Your love. Help us to trust in You, the Author of our stories, even when we can't see anything but the troubles around us. Help us to always hope, always trust, and always persevere. Help us to remember that You are good all the time. Bless us today as we walk in a world that does not follow you, and help us to never forget the joy that is coming for the ones who fear You. Amen.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezra 3:1-4:5, Daniel 10-11

Tuesday, November 10th: Ezra 9-10, 2 Timothy 4 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 9-10, 2 Timothy 4

In Ezra 9 the writer (Ezra) is devastated that the people of Israel keep on disobeying God by not separating themselves from other nations who do not worship and honour God. Ezra is devastated because the Israelites were severely punished and lost everything for years and years of sinning against God. They were taken out of the promised land and made slaves. Finally God gave them another chance and they were blowing this one too!

To make matters worse,  it was the leaders of the people of Israel who were leading in this sin. In Ezra's devastated state he says in 9:10

“But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commands"

It was embarrassing for Ezra and I'm sure he felt exhausted and considered giving up. But the Israelites who were guilty of this sin responded by weeping bitterly and truly wanted forgiveness.

How many times is God frustrated with us at our repeated sins?  We need to also be truly ashamed for our sins and be more desperate for forgiveness,  which only God can give through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  I don't think I take my sin seriously enough at times, I pray that I realize that it is serious and needs to be cleaned up.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage:  1 Chronicles 1-3; Jude

Monday, November 9th: Ezra 6-8, 2 Timothy 3 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 6-8, 2 Timothy 3

Ezra chapter 6 begins with Darius' reply to the Persian governor's letter in regards to the Jews having authority to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple.  His reply was a pretty strong yes.  Not only did they have the authority to rebuild it, but he also commanded that the project be funded from the royal treasury.  If there was any thought of someone wishing to prevent this from happening, verse 11 would take care of that notion - "I decree that if anyone changes this edict, a beam is to be pulled from his house and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it.  And for this crime his house is to be made a pile of rubble."  Certainly a strong punishment for attempting to stall the rebuilding process.

Despite strong words of likely punishments, typically people don't like to be told what to do, especially if it does not fit into our own agenda.  If in a situation like that, our backs would be arched like a cat and our tails would be puffed out to twice the size.  In this particular situation, God had his hand in it.  "the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel." (verse 22b)

This verse reminded me of the power that God has in His ability to change others and His ability to soften their hearts.  Do I give God access to all areas of my life when facing trials?  Or do I leave Him on the bench and attempt to accomplish things on my own?

I liked Ezra 7:10 - "For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel."  Ezra illustrates some important aspects of a true follower of God.  He was devoted not to himself, but to the Law of the Lord.  Something we should strive for and I believe we all are by participating in this blog.

What I enjoyed reading in Ezra chapter 8 was not so much the genealogy, but that Ezra was a normal human too.  Despite his devotion to God, he still had some fear in regards to their journey to Jerusalem.  Verse 22 says, " I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king. "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him."

Even though Ezra had a strong faith in God and was devoted to Him, it does not mean that he did not feel the need to handle difficult situations on his own.  He did, however, show his ability in looking past his fear and realizing where his strength comes from.  Ezra relied on his faith in God and made things right with Him by fasting and praying for three days calling upon Him to protect their journey.

Today's reading in Ezra showed me that God is a caring God, who will accomplish His will in spite of opposition, and whose protection in our daily lives is all we need to make it through each day.

In our NT reading, Paul tells us in verse 16 that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,".

Through prophets and apostles, God interprets past events and accurately predicts future ones.  This makes the Bible trustworthy, eternally fixed, perfect and complete, and a sure guide for life, as it makes us wise for salvation!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Ezra 9-10; 2 Timothy 4

Sunday, November 8th: Ezra 3-5, 2 Timothy 2 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 3-5; 2 Timothy 2

The section that stood out to me in our Ezra passage was how the young people rejoiced in the rebuilding, but the older people wept because they saw the difference between the original, glorious temple, and the newer, rebuilt one.  It's true that the beauty of the building is not as important go God as the attitudes of the builders and worshipers, but my Life Application Bible has this insight as well....
The celebration after laying the temple foundation was marked by contrasts of emotion - shouts of joy and sounds of weeping. Both were appropriate. The Holy Spirit can stimulate us both to rejoice over the goodness of his grace and to grieve over the sins that required him to correct us. When we come into the presence of Almighty God, we may feel full of joy and thanksgiving, yet at the same time feel sobered by our shortcomings.

Just as the workers did, we can expect opposition when we do God's work.  There may be compromising alliances, discouragements, intimidation, or unjust accusations. When we go into it expecting opposition, it is easier to stay the course.  We must continue to move ahead, trusting that God will show us how to overcome any obstacles that may be thrown our way.  After all, the right thing is seldom the easy thing.

We also need to be leery of those who claim to be Christians, but whose actions clearly reveal that they are only using Christianity to serve their own interests and further their own agendas.  Saying you're a Christian doesn't make you one.  Which is why we too, must be sure that walk the talk, and prove our faith genuine by our deeds.

This verse stood out to me in our NT passage....

2 Timothy 2:13  if we are faithless, he remains faithful

So thankful for that truth!



 Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage:  Ezra 6-8; 2 Timothy 3

Saturday, November 7th: Ezra 1-2, 2 Timothy 1 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 1-2; 2 Timothy 1

Once again we see a display of God's sovereignty.  Cyrus was not a Jew, was not a believer, and yet God moved him and worked through him to fulfill prophecy and return the exiled Jews to their homeland. And not only did he allow their return, he provided them with protection, money, and the temple articles that had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar.  God's power is not limited to our resources. He can use anyone to accomplish His plans.

I wonder about the Jews who chose to remain in Babylon.  The journey back to Jerusalem was definitely difficult, dangerous, expensive, and long.  How often do we miss out on God's best for us because we're not willing to do the work or make the sacrifice that God asks of us?  Are comfort, security, and material possessions our priorities, or is it serving God in whatever capacity He asks of us?

In our NT passage, I love Paul's reference to Timothy's mother and grandmother.  It implies that Timothy's father was not a believer, or was not around.  What hope this gives to single parents or those married to unbelievers.  Your faith can still have an impact on your children or your grandchildren!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Ezra 3-5; 2 Timothy 2

Saturday, December 24-guest post by Pamela

Today's reading from the Chronological OT/NT Reading Plan is Ezra 8-10; Revelation 16.

Scripture: Ezra 10:2

² And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. ³Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law.

Observation: Even when we have turned away from God this is still hope and we can make a plan to begin restitution with Him.

Application:

My thoughts on verse 2: Temptation can overtake us very quickly. It doesn't help with you are surrounded by others who are succumbing to the same temptation to act in a way that is against God's plan. When it seems like "everyone's doing it", it can be very easy to justify it as acceptable. When the Israelites married these foreign women, it became a slow fade into accepting their wives beliefs, and the worship of pagan gods, and making them their own. So, in actuality, it doesn't seem like the intermarriages themselves are the problem, but rather what happens to the Israelites' relationship with God as a result. However, regardless of how far the Israelites have moved away from God, "even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this". This is encouraging because sometimes people can feel that they are just too far away and that the separation from God is just too great...but there is hope.

Now I understand this adoption of foreign practices and beliefs as a problem but I am actually confused by verse 3: Why is it acceptable to "put away all the wives and children"? How can that be God's plan? For women to be abandoned...for children to grow up without being influenced by their father's guidance...for families to be torn apart?? How can this be? Is God saying -in this circumstance-that divorce is necessary and acceptable?

Maybe I am just hyper sensitive about divorce, as unfortunately it has affected people in my family, but I firmly believe that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) and that when you make the choice to marry someone-EVEN if it turns out to be the wrong person-you need to stay married to them. That's a tough thing to admit because I seem to be alone in that belief. The saturation of divorce in Christian circles has, I think, diluted our ability to recognize it as wrong. Maybe just like the foreign marriages of the Israelites just became "normal" because everyone was doing it and it the same way divorce has become "normal" because we know so many people who are doing it.

We, as Christians, are called to be different-to stand out, to be an example, to bring others to Christ. How can we do that when we openly adopt the ways of the culture around us. We are called to be in the world, not of the world and to "not conform to the pattern of this world" (Romans 12:2). To be different is to reconcile, to forgive, to demonstrate commitment and to wait on God to work in hearts to change. Again, my opinion is biased based on situations in my own family but I don't believe divorce is right and I know I could never do it.

What did happen to these abandoned wives and children? Did they continue worshipping their pagan gods because they were never given the opportunity to share in the faith of their husbands? Did they become angry at their Israelite husbands who served a God that would want them to be "put away"? Wouldn't it have been better for the Israelite husband to abandon all pagan worship in his house, lead his family in the way of God, and instruct his children to follow in his footsteps. Maybe I'm too much of an optimist.

Prayer: Lord, the Christmas Season is upon us and we are so thankful and grateful that you allowed Jesus to come to earth as a part of your rescue plan. We fall short of your plan so often and take matters into our own hands. We make mistakes, we fall, we hurt ourselves and others in the process. Thank you for the hope You gave through Jesus and that no matter how many times we fall, You gave us hope to get back up. Lord, be with all of the abandoned people this season and help them to see that You are hope for the hopeless. Be with the children of broken homes and help them to understand that this was not what You had planned for them. Lord, You own the perfect plan and when we stray from it, there are consequences. Help us to see those consequences before they hurt us and others and guide us to make better choices.

Tomorrow's passage: Nehemiah 1-3 - Matthew 1 - Luke 2