Hebrews chapter 5 verse 10 today tells us this about Jesus: “And God designated him to be a High Priest in the line of Melchizedek.” Who is Melchizedek? He first appeared in Scripture in Genesis 14:18-20: “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” Melchizedek was clearly important, as Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And Christ is a “High Priest in the line of Melchizedek.” The thing to keep in mind is that most Bible scholars do not believe that Melchizedek was literally Christ. So, for us today, it’s fine history to know. But, Christ is our High Priest, as this chapter of Hebrews makes clear.
Verses 11 – 14 today are a great reminder that as Christians we must learn to become “self-feeders.” We can’t rely only on pastors and teachers and mentors to provide us with spiritual nourishment. We must learn to grow our relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit through our own study and prayer as well. I submit that the One Year Bible is one great way to feed yourself spiritually daily! How else are you feeding yourself spiritually these days?
YouTube: Today’s readings remind me of the Casting Crowns song “Slow Fade,” which was in the movie Fireproof. Here’s the video for the song:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today:“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:12-14 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you are a self-feeder of God’s Word and Truth. Pray that you are not dependent on others to feed you, but that you are mature and can feed yourself, distinguishing good from evil.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 of course makes a One Year Bible blogger’s heart happy 🙂 – “For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.” Do you believe that the Word of God is full of power? Not just power, but Living power? Does it cut deep into your innermost thoughts and desires – and expose the condition of your heart? Does the Bible expose you for who you really are? Do you believe that the Word of God can do this? Will you let the Word of God do this?
This chapter opens up with a beautiful verse: “God’s promise of entering his place of rest still stands.” On a busy day, doesn’t God’s place of rest sound nice? I like that! God has promised us a place of eternal rest if we will simply have faith in his Son. His Son whom verse 14 today tells us: “That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him.” Are you clinging to Jesus as your High Priest? Do you trust Him? Are you longing for your eternal rest with Jesus?
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Hebrews 4 reminded me of the Third Day song “Lift Up Your Face:”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that God’s Word is living and active in your life! Pray that God words penetrates to your soul and spirit, joints and marrow. Pray that God’s Word judges the thoughts and attitudes of your heart each and every moment of your life!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Hebrews chapter 3 today is a great look at the lives of Moses and Jesus. The text today doesn’t really dive into this point, but something I heard recently that is worth remembering – Moses introduced to Israel the Old Covenant (testament) via the Ten Commandments and laws. Whereas, Jesus ushers in the New Covenant to Israel and all of the world. So, this chapter goes into why Jesus is greater than Moses. Probably this Old Cov v. New Cov point alone would prove this to be true – but, obviously Jesus is also God in the flesh. Moses was simply a man. (albeit a great man in many ways!)
Today in Hebrews 3:13 we read: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” When was the last time you encouraged someone in their walk of faith? Will you encourage someone today? How does encouragement help us avoid sin’s deceitfulness? Do you realize that sin is indeed deceitful? (sin sells you nothing but lies) Do you realize that sin can harden your heart? Do you realize that one of the best ways to be free of the bondage of sin and a hardened heart is through encouragement of others in your church community? Sin is too strong for us to battle on our own. We need Jesus. We need each other. We need to be actively involved in a church community each week. Don’t attempt to make a go of this life alone. . . it’s far too risky.
Verse 15 is repeated twice in today’s readings, so it probably is something important for us to remember – “But never forget the warning: “Today you must listen to his voice. Don’t harden your hearts against him as Israel did when they rebelled.”” Are you listening to God’s voice? How is the soil of your heart toward God? Will you let him plant new life within you? Will you let him pull the weeds that need to be pulled?
Worship Video: Hebrews 3:13 today reminds me of the Jonny Diaz song “A More Beautiful You.” Here’s his thought provoking video for the song:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you are an encourager to others in your life. Pray for encouragement in your life too, from a community of Believers, the church. Pray that your heart will never be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Hebrews chapter 2 starts strong with the first verse: "So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it." This is powerful. We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we’ll drift away from it. My thoughts here are that listening carefully in this sense also means listening often to the truth. Or reading often of the truth. Reading the Bible often. Say, every day? 🙂 I think our human nature is such that we’ll oftentimes hear something and it goes in one ear and out the other. We need repetition. We need a routine. We need the truth. Please don’t drift away from it! On this topic of drifting away from God, Tim Challies over at challies.com (a blog I read frequently) wrote up a very interesting post titled "The Folly of Solomon". This is a very interesting look at Tim’s thoughts on why Solomon drifted away from God in his later years and how you and I must be vigilant in our lives to not drift away – please read Tim’s post on this topic at this link.
Verse 12 is beautiful: "I will declare the wonder of your name to my brothers and sisters." Here Jesus calls those who believe in Him his "brothers and sisters." What a great thing! To be brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ! And in the gospels Jesus also calls those who believe in Him his "friends." This is incredible to consider. Who better is there to be your brother and your friend than Jesus? And verse 18 is a great reminder that "Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted." We all will go through temptations in this life. Don’t feel bad if you are "tempted." Jesus himself was tempted by the devil in the gospels. The problem comes when we give into temptation and commit the sin. However, when in the midst of temptation, this verse reminds us to turn our minds to Jesus when we are being tempted – and he will help us! He has been there – he has been tempted. Another great tool to combat temptation is bringing Scripture to mind. In fact – this is exactly what Jesus did with the devil in the desert. Each temptation the devil threw at Jesus, Jesus combated with Scripture. What a holy sword Scripture is in the midst of temptation! To help us in the midst of temptation, memorizing Scripture regularly is a very wise practice. Do you memorize Scripture? Do you think it would help you in the midst of temptation?
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the Casting Crowns song "East to West." Enjoy this live version of the song:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“Because he (Jesus) himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray immediately for Jesus’ help, whenever you are being tempted. Pray that Jesus will strengthen you in your sufferings and temptations and lead you to everlasting victory.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today we begin the book of Hebrews! What a wonderful book. I read somewhere that this book is a “letter of encouragement.” I do pray this book will encourage you. There is so much in this one! The author of the book of Hebrews is unknown. For many centuries, it was thought to be Paul. However, around the time of the Reformation it was thought that this letter was not from Paul, because the writing style is so different from his other letters – and because in all of his other letters, he identifies himself as the writer of the letter. Some now think that either Barnabas or Apollos were two of the potential writers of this letter. It was likely written before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70, because the temple is referred to as if it still exists in this letter. What I love about Hebrews is the multitudes of references back to Old Testament scriptures. As you read through Hebrews, I would encourage you to take note of how many OT scriptures this book is referring back to. Below is an image of Barnabas’ life – a potential candidate for authorship of Hebrews. You’ll see Barnabas caring for Paul on the left after Paul was stoned and you’ll see Barnabas on the right assisting Paul in his ministry.
~ Hebrews ~ Author: Uncertain Place: Uncertain Date: A.D. 60-69 Content: This important letter was written to Jewish Christians who were perhaps thinking of returning to their old ways in Judaism. It was designed to show that now because Christ has come, there remains nothing in Judaism for the believer. The time of fulfillment has arrived and it would be futile to return to the old life which was inherently inferior to the new life found in the Gospel. This is justified by showing that in every way Christ is better – he is superior to angels, to Moses, and to the Old Testament priest. He mediates a better covenant and offers a better sacrifice. The life of faith that the Christian lives is also better than the old life, proof of this coming from the lives of Old Testament saints who showed the way by their lives of faith. Theme: The overall superiority of Christ and the Christian life is the central theme of this book. Other religious systems have value, no doubt, but they cannot compare with the work that God has done in Christ. Not even Judaism, which has the Old Testament, can compare, great as it was. Christ is the very essence of God, who did God’s work on earth by dying for our sins. What God requires of us now is trust in him. If we have faith then we have entered into the promises of God – fullness of life now and eternal life to come. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 31) A great overview of the book of Hebrews by Daniel Wallace isat this link.
In Hebrews chapter 1, the first 3 verses set the stage incredibly well for this book – “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it. The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven.” Wow… great stuff. We have indeed been reading recently about God speaking through Jeremiah in our One Year Bible readings. And here we are reminded that God is now speaking to us through Jesus. How do these 3 verses above speak to your heart? Has Jesus cleansed you from the stain of sin?
The remaining verses in today’s reading refer to several OT scriptures that tell us Jesus is God. He is not an angel, but is God’s only Son who formed the earth and everything in it. One very amazing thing about our One Year Bible readings today is that we get some verses here in Hebrews 1:10-12 that correlate with our readings in Psalm 102:25-27: “Lord, in the beginning you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. Even they will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will roll them up like an old coat. They will fade away like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will never grow old.”
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the wonderful worship song “Great is Thy Faithfulness, ” sung here by Donnie McClurkin. This video is over 12 minutes long! But trust me, it is worth the time! Enjoy!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus has provided the purification for your sins and that He now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven! Worship Jesus for his radiance and glory! Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus sustains you by his powerful Word.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
~ Philemon ~ Author: Paul the apostle Place: Rome Date: A.D. 60 or 61 Content: A slave named Onesimus, who was owned by a Christian in Colosse named Philemon, had run away, ultimately making his way to Rome. Here he heard the gospel from Paul and became a believer. This letter was written by Paul to encourage Philemon to take Onesimus back, this time as more than a servant, indeed, as a Christian brother. There is a play on words in verse 11 where Paul says that now Onesimus (the word means “useful”) will in fact be Onesimus – useful both to Philemon and the ministry. Theme: This short book is quite important in many ways. Two things stand out. First, we see the way in which the gospel worked. No one is beyond the reach of God. If anyone will trust in Jesus, he will become a new person. Second, the ancient barriers of class hatred are being broken down by the gospel – Philemon and Onesimus are now Christian brothers. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 30-31) A great overview of the book of Philemon by Daniel B. Wallace isat this link.
Verse 4 stands out to me in Philemon today – “I always thank God when I pray for you, Philemon…” How often do we tell our family or friends that we thank God for them? How often do we tell them that we pray for them? How often do we actually do both of these things?
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the Paul Baloche song “Above All,” sung here by Michael W. Smith:
Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Today we also finish up Paul’s letter to Titus! The very short letter to Philemon begins tomorrow. The first couple verses of Titus chapter 3 are interesting to me – "Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone." Paul is reminding the church at that time to submit to governmental authority – to be obedient. And to do what is good. This reminds me of Jesus saying in the Gospels – "give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. And to God what is God." So, there does certainly seem to be a call to be good citizens of the communities we live in – as we strive to be good citizens of the kingdom of God simultaneously. Do you think these two can happen simultaneously? Or are there points where there may be a conflict between our obedience to God and obedience to the world’s civil laws & governments?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings titled "Instructions to Live as Good Citizens in the World" is at this link.
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Lincoln Brewster’s song "Today is the Day!" Here is a great live version of this song:
Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Titus chapter 2 today is full of great wisdom from Paul! Please let these verses sink in. Verse 14 stands out: "He (Jesus) gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right." Do you believe that Jesus gave his life to free you from every kind of sin? To cleanse you? And to make you his very own? Are you totally committed to doing what is right? Has Jesus’ life, death and resurrection freed you from sin?
In Titus 2:11 we read: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people.” Do you believe this? What does God’s grace mean to you? How have you experienced God’s grace in your life? Has God’s grace brought salvation to your life?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Titus titled "The Foundation, Means, and Motivation for godly Behavior" is at this link.
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the song “Your Name is Holy:”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
~ Titus ~ Author: Paul the apostle Place: Uncertain Date: A.D. 64 or 65 Content: Paul addressed this letter to an earlier associate of his whom he had left on the island of Crete to help strengthen the churches there. Titus’ task was to ordain elders and to instruct the believers in the basic doctrines of the faith. It was necessary for Paul to go into some detail regarding the qualifications for the office of elder, and to give instructions for others in the church as well. During the course of these instructions, Paul touches upon the problems that face the servant of God and how these problems may be met. Theme: The need for proper Christian living in the midst of the evil of the world is stressed by Paul in this letter. Around us we see the hostility and corruption of the world, but we must show by our lives what the grace of God can do. Such a life will have an impact, whereas mere words will do little or nothing. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 30) A wonderful commentary by J. Hampton Keathley, III on Paul’s letter to Titus is at this link. Below is an image for Titus chapter 1 verse 5 today as Paul wrote to Titus: “I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.”
The first two verses of this letter start so wonderfully! “This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began–and he cannot lie.” Do you believe everything in these two verses? Does the Truth give us the confidence of eternal life? Is this a promise of God’s that you’ve accepted? Do you believe Paul’s teaching here that God cannot lie? Do you know that Jesus cannot lie?
The next few verses are great instructions for whom should be elders in churches. A portion of verse 8 really stands out to me: “He must enjoy having guests in his home.” What a great verse! This really shows the importance of hospitality. Do you enjoy having guests in your home? When people invite you to be guests in their home, do you understand how incredible of an invitation this truly is? Do you allow them to share their hospitality with you?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Titus titled “Instruction Concerning Elders in the Church” is at this link.
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the song "Remembering You" by Steven Curtis Chapman:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” Titus 1:15 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray for purity in your life. Pray that you have been made pure by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
We wrap up Paul’s second letter to Timothy today! Titus begins tomorrow! Second Timothy chapter 4 verses 3 & 4 give a good warning for each of us today: "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths." Do we do this? Do we "look for" or "shop around for" teachers that we really like? Teachers that may only tell us what we want to hear? That may not challenge us with Truth? That may offer strange myths? (okay, so this animated teacher guy below is probably a solid teacher – I came across a scary image about false teachers with a wolf growling as one image option for below… but I just kind of liked this guy better for some reason today. Wow… here I am shopping around for my teacher! This guy below is probably telling me what I want to hear! 🙂 Okay, okay, I’ll put up the scary wolf image below too!)
In the close of this 2nd letter to Timothy, we are reading some of Paul’s final written words! They are amazing. It’s great to see some basic human needs in these closing words in verse 13: "When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers." It’s also sad to see how Paul’s been left pretty much alone and abandoned by many. Verse 22 are some beautiful closing words, and it’s my prayer for each of you as well: "May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all." Indeed. Grace…
Worship Video: I realize that I’m posting up 2 Chris Tomlin videos 2 days in a row. But today’s readings reminded me of his song "Indescribable", I want to share a live version of this song from The Netherlands Youth Day at a stadium. I don’t think I mentioned this in yesterday’s posting – but if you ever get a chance to see Chris Tomlin live, please take the opportunity! It is always a powerful worship experience!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you preach the Word in your life at all times – and use words when necessary. Pray that you are prepared in season and out of season to preach the Word. Pray that you will correct, rebuke and encourage others in your life with great patience and careful instruction.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy! Mike
p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
New Testament in a Year 