Category: thought for the day

October 31, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we read the second chapter of James and one chapter of Ezekiel.

October 31: James 2, Ezekiel 27 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

James 2. Do not show favoritism, especially to wealthy or famous people! It goes on to show that faith without works is dead. The example is Abraham. The apostle Paul used the same example to show that Abraham was justified apart from works in Romans 4:2-3 “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” This seeming contradiction is solved in Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Ezekiel 27 is a lament for Tyre.

 

October 30, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we read the first chapter of James and one chapter of Ezekiel.

October 30: James 1, Ezekiel 26 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

James 1 is more than any letter a bridge between the Old and the New Testament. It starts out with a greeting to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. It encourages to meet trials with joy, demands the rich to do good, love God under trials,  to be swift to hear and slow to wrath, and above all. be doers and not hearers only of the word, for that is true religion – faith in action.

Ezekiel 26 is a devastating prophecy against Tyre.

 

October 29, read through the Bible in a year.

In between the letter to the Hebrews  and James we read two Psalms and three chapters of Ezekiel.

October 29: Psalm 133, Psalm 134, Ezekiel 23, Ezekiel 24, Ezekiel 25 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 133, a Song of Ascents, of David. This Psalm has only three verses, and the point of it is that it is good to dwell in unity.

Psalm 134 is the last of the song of ascents. 3 verses short and to the point. Bless the Lord and He will bless you from Zion.

Ezekiel 23 tells in some length of two harlot sisters, the one is Samaria,  the other Jerusalem. God will execute judgment on both Jerusalem and Samaria.

Ezekiel 24, God tells Ezekiel to put on a cooking Pot, fill it with water and the parts from the best animal, boil it dry, let the kettle burn up the meat completely and char the bones. So shall it be done with the city of bloodshed. Then Ezekiel’s wife dies. Put up a stiff upper lip, Ezekiel!

Ezekiel 25 gives prophecies against Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia.

October 28, read through the Bible in a year.

In between the letter to the Hebrews  and James we read two Psalms and two chapters of Ezekiel.

October 28: Psalm 131, Psalm 132, Ezekiel 21, Ezekiel 22 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 131, This is the shortest of the song of ascents, only 3 verses. David shows his contentment in hoping in the Lord.

Psalm 131, This is the longest of the song of ascents, 18 verses.Remember God’s promise to David, to Israel and to the future Messiah.

Ezekiel 21. Babylon has been chosen as the sword of God for judgement, a sword against Judah and the Ammonites.

Ezekiel 22.  Jerusalem had become a morally, ethically and spiritually bankrupt city, God found no righteous people, much less leaders, so He was going to destroy it, with drought and fire.

 

October 27, read through the Bible in a year.

In between the letter to the Hebrews  and James we read pne chapter of Proverbs and one chapter of Ezekiel.

October 27: Proverbs 19, Ezekiel 20 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Proverbs 19, Proverbs of Solomon. There is wisdom in getting along with others, but do not give in to the wicked ones, a prudent wife is a gift is from the Lord, but a foolish son is his fathers ruin.

Ezekiel 20, Though Israel pleaded with God, He would not listen because of their rebellious idol worship. God through Ezekiel then retold the history of Israel and their idolatry and blasphemy, Israel will be severely punished, but in the en  , God will restore Israel. The chapter ends with a  prophecy against the South, God will destroy the Southern forests.

October 26, read through the Bible in a year.

In between the letter to the Hebrews  and James we read two Psalms and two chapters of Ezekiel.

October 26: Psalm 129, Psalm 130, Ezekiel 18, Ezekiel 19 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 129, a Song of Ascents. In spite of many afflictions, Israel prevails thanks to the blessing of the Lord.

Psalm 130, a Song of Ascents. “Out of the depths” God helps and forgives. Wait for the Lord in hope, and He will redeem Israel.

Ezekiel 18. “The soul who sins will die”. By this statement an old proverb is refuted. Instead of the fathers sins are visited on the children it is the individual’s responsibility to turn to God and Live.

Ezekiel 19 is a lament about Israel’s princes degraded, and a second lament about the fruitful vine withering.

October 25, read through the Bible in a year.

In between the letter to the Hebrews  and James we read two Psalms and two chapters of Ezekiel.

October 25: Psalm 127, Psalm 128, Ezekiel 16, Ezekiel 17 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 127, a Song of Ascents. This Psalm is of Solomon, and tells that God is the real builder of houses, cities and families.

Psalm 128, a Song of Ascents. It states that the fear of the Lord gives blessings to families, it will go well with them, and they get to live to see their grandchildren.

Ezekiel 16. in spite of everything God still loves Jerusalem and its Harlotry, Adultery and its lovers abuse of her. This is more wicked than what happened in Samaria and Sodom.

Ezekiel 17. God gives a parable about two eagles and a vine. Then the parable is explained. Babylon will eventually fall and Israel will be exalted.

October 24, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we read the last chapter of the letter to the Hebrews and one chapter of Ezekiel.

October 24: Hebrews 13, Ezekiel 15 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Hebrews 13. Show love for each other, be hospitable, practice outreach, honor marriage and be content. But the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.  Remember, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, and we have a heavenly altar, not made with hands, and our sacrifices are sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, doing good and with joy. This was the last two of the “let us” in the book of Hebrews for a total of fourteen. The theology part ends with “ Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” This covenant was instituted before time began, that is why modern translations call it the eternal covenant. Finally, I add my personal thoughts on who the author of the book of Hebrews is.

Ezekiel 15. Jerusalem is a useless vine.

October 23, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we read the twelfth chapter of the letter to the Hebrews and one chapter of Ezekiel.

October 23: Hebrews 12, Ezekiel 14 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Hebrews 12. Let us fix our eyes to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. This and four other “let us” in the book of Hebrews bring us to a total of twelve, all intended to teach us how to live and bring us closer to Jesus and in so doing we get disciplined by God for our benefit. But it also comes with the fifth and final warning to us: “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven”

Ezekiel 14. The idolatry is to be punished, judgment on their unfaithfulness is inescapable.

October 22, read through the Bible in a year.

Today, back to normal. We read the eleventh chapter of the letter to the Hebrews and one chapter of Ezekiel.

October 22: Hebrews 11, Ezekiel 13 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Hebrews 11, the great faith chapter. “Without faith it is impossible to please God“. In the faith hall of fame the people recorded are in order, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’ parents, Moses, the people crossing the Red Sea, the fall of the walls of Jericho and the innkeeper Rahab. Then the author ran out of time to mention Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets. “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

Ezekiel 13 proclaims woe to the false prophets.