August 24th One Year Bible Readings
Job 12:1-15:35 ~ 1 Corinthians 15:29-58 ~ Psalm 39:1-13 ~ Proverbs 21:30-31
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TranslateOld Testament - I forgot how much trash-talking goes on here in the book of Job! It occurred to me that all of this bickering back and forth between Job and his friends keeps transpiring without Satan coming up in their comments at all. Meaning, no one seems to realize that Satan is the one who has afflicted Job! And I'm wondering if this happens in our lives today as well? Do we sometimes miss it when Satan is literally attacking us? Do we blame others? Blame ourselves? Maybe even blame God? When the blame should be directed at the Deceiver? I think Job and his friends could have used Michael the Archangel to come into the picture here and whoop up on Satan like he's doing in this painting below from the year 1518 by the Italian artist Raphael:
There are some great words of wisdom from Job in today's readings. I love the poetry of his words in chapter 14. A lot of it reminds me of the book of Ecclesiastes, which we'll read later this year. Below is an illustration of Job and his three friends from the Book of Hours of Etienne Chevalier by the 15th century French painter Jean Fouquet:
New Testament - Today in First Corinthians chapter 15 verses 42 through 44 and 49 we read: “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. . . And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.” Have you thought much about heaven? Have you considered life after death? Do you believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead? Do you believe that your body will be raised imperishable? That your body will raised in glory? In power? Do you believe that there is a spiritual body, just like we now know our earthly body? Are you looking forward to bearing the likeness of Jesus in heaven? On a side note, Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven" is a fantastic look at life after death for those whose lives have been surrendered to Jesus. Please please read this book if you haven't yet! It will change your perspective on heaven!
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in First Corinthians 15 titled "A Refresher Course on the Resurrection of the Dead" is at this link. Below is a great image for First Corinthians 15 verse 54:
Psalms - Today in Psalm 39 verse 5 we read – “My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath." This is a powerful verse for each of us to meditate upon. How does this verse speak to you? Do you feel like life moves fast sometimes? If so, how are you spending your time? Are you being intentional about how you invest your time? Are you being intentional about your work? Your friends? Your finances? Volunteering? Serving others? Loving others? Watching TV – or better yet, not watching TV? :) If life really is “but a breath” – are you spending your breath wisely? With your breath are you constantly loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself?
Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 21 verse 31 we read: “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.” How does this Proverb speak to you? For me it is a reminder that anything we do in our life is dependent on the Lord. If we want to be successful in life – in our jobs, ministries, marriages, friendships, anything – we will only be successful if the Lord is with us. So, how do we know if the Lord is with us? My first suggestion is prayer. I believe we should commit every thing we do to prayer. I will admit that lately my prayer life has not been very good. And I’ve noticed the effects of it. I want victory is so many areas of my life – but it seems like I am too often “saddling up” the horse without seeking the Lord’s guidance and wisdom and blessing. How is your prayer life these days? Are you committing everything you do to prayer? Are you earnestly seeking through prayer the Lord’s guidance, wisdom and blessing, knowing that victory rests only with the Lord?
Below is a great image for Proverbs 21:30 from today's readings:
Worship God: Our First Corinthians chapter 15 readings about Jesus' resurrection and our resurrection bodies have been amazing! They reminded me of the lyrics in the MercyMe song "Finally Home:"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw0ZdHprdjk
Are you looking forward to heaven as your home? Click here to find your way Home!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving and anticipation for the day you will be raised imperishable through a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Pray in thanksgiving for God's incredibly good gift of Heaven.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: 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
