• Isaiah 10:1-11:16
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    Isaiah chapter 11 in today’s readings is an incredible Messianic chapter of the Old Testament! The life and character of Jesus is so clear in chapter 1 verses 1 through 5 today: “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot–yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him–the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will never judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay. He will defend the poor and the exploited. He will rule against the wicked and destroy them with the breath of his mouth. He will be clothed with fairness and truth.”  Does this sound like anyone you personally know?  I pray so.

    Jesus_king_2

    Then, verses 6 through 9 are such a beautiful reflection on the peace and safety of the coming Messianic age when Jesus returns: “In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard and the goat will be at peace. Calves and yearlings will be safe among lions, and a little child will lead them all. The cattle will graze among bears. Cubs and calves will lie down together. And lions will eat grass as the livestock do. Babies will crawl safely among poisonous snakes. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes and pull it out unharmed. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain. And as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.”  Can you imagine all of this?  Can you imagine all of this ever taking place, apart from Jesus coming into our world?  Do you look forward to experiencing the day of the lion and the lamb living together in peace!  (Or as I heard a pastor quip once, the dog and the cat eating out of the same bowl! 🙂

    Lion_lamb_

    Worship Video: Today’s readings in Isaiah 11 reminded me of Brandon Heath’s song “Your Love:”


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74HXKSYyPKg

    Do you need God’s Love? Click here for Love!

    Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up in the “Comments” 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!

  • Isaiah 8:1-9:21
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    I got chills today when reading Isaiah chapter 9 about the hope in our Messiah, Jesus Christ!  Keep in mind that the book of the prophet Isaiah was written in the 8th century B.C….  800 years before Jesus walked this earth!  Verses 1 & 2 start off this chapter in such a beautiful way:  “Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will soon be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light–a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow.”  Compare these verses to the Gospel of Matthew chapter 4 verses 12 through 17 at this link when Jesus begins his public ministry.  Amazing eh?  Jesus Christ is the great light!  The light of the world!  And indeed, a light to the Gentiles!

    Verses 6 & 7 continued the chills for me as I read them – and reminded me of an incredibly beautiful song that is sung at my parent’s church every Christmas: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!”  Do you believe that these verses were prophesying the coming of Jesus Christ 800 years later?  Do you believe that Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor?  Mighty God?  Prince of Peace?  Do you believe that Jesus rules forever with fairness and justice?  Praise God for this prophecy in Isaiah that a child would be born to us!  Though we are a few months out from Christmas, now feels like a good time for all of us to reflect upon these words below from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2 verses 8-14 (from the King James Version):

    And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

    And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

    And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

    For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

    And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

    And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

    Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

    Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Isaiah chapter 9 titled “The Glorious Messiah and the Messianic Age” is at this link.  Below is a great image for Isaiah chapter 9 verse 2 from today’s readings:

    Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Britt Nicole’s song “Walk on The Water:”


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wddc8UzNiG8

    Do you want to walk on the water? Click here and Walk On!

    Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up in the “Comments” 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!

  • Isaiah 6:1-7:25
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    Wonderful readings today in Isaiah chapter 6 as Isaiah is commissioned as a prophet by the Lord!  Great stuff!

    The seraphim mentioned in this chapter are not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible by name, though they do seem similar to the “living creatures” described in Revelation 4:6-9.  It is intriguing to note that even the seraphim with two of their wings “covered their faces” (verse 2) before God.  No wonder Isaiah got very scared in verse 5 because he saw the Lord with his own eyes in this vision!  It is thought by some commentaries that this vision of Isaiah’s may have taken place in the Temple in Jerusalem.  Below are two pieces of artwork depicting the seraphim and verse 3: “In a great chorus they sang, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”” Amen…

    Seraphim__1
    Seraph

    In Isaiah chapter 7 today we read about the sign of Immanuel in verses 14 through 16!  “All right then, the Lord himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel–`God is with us.’ By the time this child is old enough to eat curds and honey, he will know enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong. But before he knows right from wrong, the two kings you fear so much–the kings of Israel and Aram–will both be dead.”  I don’t know about you, but when I read this today I immediately thought of the virgin Mary and Jesus.  With good reason, as we’ll recall from the gospel of Matthew chapter 1 verse 23: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” Commentaries suggest that yes, indeed, these passages in Isaiah are ultimately wholly fulfilled in Jesus, who truly is “God with us.”  But, commentaries also suggest that this prophecy in Isaiah had a double fulfillment – first in a young woman from the house of Ahaz who was not married, but would marry and then have a son – and by the time the son was the age 2, the two invading kings would be destroyed.  Then, the second fulfillment of this prophecy was indeed in the One we now celebrate as the true Immanuel, Jesus Christ, God with us!

    Worship Video: Today’s video was a slam-dunk with Isaiah 6:8 in today’s readings: “Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.””  Here’s Mercy Me’s great song “Here I Am” based on this verse:


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfU5ys2O7gA

    Are you in a relationship with God such that you could reply like Isaiah did, “Here I Am, Send Me?” Click here and get sent!

    Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 NIV

    Prayer Point: Pray that you will go wherever God calls you to go. Pray that you will serve wherever Jesus asks you to serve. Pray that you will be sent wherever the Holy Spirit sends you!

    Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up in the “Comments” 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!

  • Isaiah 3:1-5:30
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    Powerful readings in Isaiah today… The southern Kingdom of Judah is getting a stern warning from the prophet today!  A scary warning to the people of Judah for their disobedience comes at the end of our readings today in chapter 5 verses 26 through 30: “He will send a signal to the nations far away. He will whistle to those at the ends of the earth, and they will come racing toward Jerusalem. They will not get tired or stumble. They will run without stopping for rest or sleep. Not a belt will be loose, not a sandal thong broken. Their arrows will be sharp and their bows ready for battle. Sparks will fly from their horses’ hooves as the wheels of their chariots spin like the wind. Roaring like lions, they will pounce on their prey. They will seize my people and carry them off into captivity, and no one will be there to rescue them. The enemy nations will growl over their victims like the roaring of the sea. A cloud of darkness and sorrow will hover over Israel. The clouds will blot out the light.”  A random side note here, and definitely an indication of how much I’m swimming in our culture…  (as we all do to some extent – like fish surrounded by water – though, I think the Lord of the Rings has many redeeming values to it)  As I read these verses above, I thought of the orc armies from the Lord of the Rings running amuck over Middle Earth…

    This map below gives a good overview of the growth of the Assyrian empire between 824 B.C. and 640 B.C. and how it engulfs Judah during this time period.  The prophet Isaiah was preaching his stern warnings right in the middle of this time period!

    Assyria

    Isaiah chapter 5 verse 20 was directed at Judah in the 8th century B.C., but I wonder if this verse can have application to our world today? “Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.”  Can you think of any examples in our modern world where evil is portrayed as good and good is portrayed as evil?  I can think of far too many examples unfortunately.  This twisting of good and evil, light and dark, bitter and sweet did not make God happy back in eighth century B.C.   Think God is happy about this twisting of good and evil today?

    Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the terrific Josiah Queen song called “My Promised Land:”


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwz6dqE511k

    Is Jesus your Promised Land? Click here for your Promised Land!

    Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up in the “Comments” section 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!

  • Isaiah 1:1-2:22
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    Today we begin the book of the prophet Isaiah!  A powerful quote from Bible.org at this link about this book is: “The Book of Isaiah is one of the most important books of the Old Testament. While little is known of the personal life of the prophet, he is considered to be one of the greatest of them all. The book is a collection of oracles, prophecies, and reports; but the common theme is the message of salvation. There was, according to these writings, no hope in anything that was made by people… There would be a purging of the nation because God is holy. Before the nation could inherit the promises made to the fathers, it would have to be made holy.”

    ~ Isaiah ~
    Author: Isaiah
    Date: Eighth century B.C.
    Content: Isaiah’s long ministry lasted almost sixty years and covered the reigns of four kings, the last one being Hezekiah, the reformer. Isaiah was sent primarily to Judah, although his message concerns the northern kingdom of Israel as well. He lived through the awful days of the civil war between Israel and Judah in 734-732 B.C. and saw the destruction of Israel by Assyria in 722 B.C. the grim lesson taught by Israel’s fall was not lost on Isaiah, and he used it to encourage Hezekiah to trust in the Lord. The Lord delivered Judah from the mighty Assyrian army by sending a plague to destroy the camp. Isaiah also looked beyond his own time to the coming exile of Judah and the deliverance that God would provide.
    Theme: Isaiah was one of Jesus’ favorite books and he quoted it frequently, because the central them is salvation. God is seen as the Savior of his people, who redeemed them from Egypt, who will redeem them from their coming captivity, and who will send his beloved Servant to bear the sins of us all (Isaiah 53:6). God freely offers to pardon all who will turn to him in repentance and faith. The future kingdom of God on earth is also described in exquisite detail as a time when men will lay down their swords and, in peace, sing praises to God their King. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 11) More great commentary on the book of Isaiah is at this link.  Below is a portrait of the prophet Isaiah by artist Guy Rowe:

    Isaiah_prophet

    Today in Isaiah chapter 1 verses 2 and 3 we read these words of the prophet Isaiah: “Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” These words were spoken to the Israelites in the 8th century B.C., but do you suppose they can apply to our modern world today as well? Do we know God? Do we truly understand God? I do think that sometimes we can forget that God is our Father. We are his children. He has brought us up. And we have rebelled. Is an ox at times smarter than us in terms of knowing who its master is? Do we truly know who our master is? I’m afraid sometimes I live my life as if I am my own master. I am “master of my own destiny!” Well. . . am I really? What about you. Who is your master day in and day out? Do you know your Master? Do you understand?

    Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Michael W. Smith’s great song “A New Hallelujah!”


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBxOkruKpqI

    Do you want to sing a new Hallelujah? Click here and Sing!

    Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’” Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

    Prayer Point: Pray that your sins have been made white as snow and wool, through a saving faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

    Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up in the “Comments” section 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!

  • Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14
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    Today we finish up the Song of Solomon! Then – the next book snuck up on me – tomorrow we begin the book of the prophet Isaiah! Get ready for an incredible book. Get ready for many Eighth century B.C. prophecies of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ!  Tomorrow begins our readings of the Major Prophets:  Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel are before us.  Below is a quick re-cap of the 39 books in the Old Testament and their various categories:

    Old_testament

    Song of Solomon Chapter 8 verse 4 stood out to me today when the young woman says- “I want you to promise, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right.”  This is an interesting concept I think – of not awakening love until the time is right.  The reason I bring this up is because I know tons of people who are single.  And probably a lot of folks reading this blog are single.  And I’ve come to realize that single people can oftentimes stress out over being single…  as if they are never going to get married.  Which, perhaps for some, may be true.  I do honestly believe that some are called to live a life of singleness.  However, if you are single I think stressing about it does no good.  Trying to “awaken love before the time is right” does no good.  In fact, in can be very bad.  I know of some folks that have gotten themselves in bad dating situations, simply because I think these folks were trying to “awaken love before the time is right.”  My thought here is that the Young Woman from Song of Solomon is absolutely right.  If we are single, we need to remember that everything is in God’s hands.  If God has a plan for us to get married, then we really don’t need to stress about the timing of it all.  It will happen when it should happen.   When the time is right.  And to try to awaken love before the time is right typically does not work out well.  So, that’s my two cents today.  🙂  I just hope that if you are single and feel like you’ve been single for too long, don’t stress out about it!  God’s timing and God’s plans for your life are indeed a mystery – but a beautiful mystery.  He will awaken love when – and if – the time is right.  Let us always remember in all areas of our life to “Let go and Let God”…

    Let_go_let_god

    Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the fantastic song “Create in me a Clean Heart” performed here by Donnie McClurkin and a choir:


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILRjmPGvVB8

    Do you want a clean heart? Click here to be made clean!

    Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up in the “Comments” 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!

  • Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16
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    Today we begin the Song of Solomon! Now, for those of you that have not read Song of Solomon before, let me say this up front – this is a book for married folks y’all! 🙂 Well, yes, us single folks can read it, but we would do well to know that this book is all about the beauty of love and, yes, sex – within marriage.

    ~ Song of Solomon ~
    Author: Solomon
    Date: Tenth century B.C.
    Content: This book, about the love of Solomon and a Shulamite woman, consists of a series of lyrics or songs, hence the designation in the text: the Song of Songs. It is a simple but moving piece, describing the longing of two lovers for one another, of the struggles that need to be overcome, of the tender feelings that love awakens, and of the joy that the lovers find in being together. The young women of Jerusalem, who appear with Solomon and his beloved, add to the dramatic effect of the story by adding observations of their own.
    Theme: The most obvious meaning of this narrative is that human love, which was ordained by God, is good and holy when enjoyed in obedience to the commands of God. Many interpreters have found a symbolic meaning in the book, however, and point to the love of God for Israel or the love of Christ for his church. Seen in this way it underscores the teaching of the New Testament that God is love (
    1 John 4:8). (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 10-11) More great commentary on the Song of Solomon is at this link.

    Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Third Day’s great song “Show Me Your Glory!”  Here’s a live version:


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JbEQHmCEFU

    Do you want to see God’s Glory? Click here for Glory!

    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!

  • Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14
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    We finish up the book of Ecclesiastes today, and what a finish it is!  Song of Solomon begins tomorrow! I love Ecclesiastes chapter 10 today.  It’s basically a series of rapid Proverbs.  Great great stuff. I had forgotten about this gem of a chapter in the Bible.  This chapter is again a great reminder of why Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, wrote many of the Proverbs.  He had godly wisdom no doubt!  I love verse 1 in this chapter today – “Dead flies will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! Yes, an ounce of foolishness can outweigh a pound of wisdom and honor.”  This is a powerful truth for us to take to heart.  We can so often live our lives with wisdom and honor… and then, we let an ounce of foolishness seep into our lives and it outweighs all of our wisdom and honor!  This is so true…  I think this is particularly true if we are harboring any unchecked sin in our life.  We need to put that sin in check!  We need to repent and flee from that sin.  Otherwise we are harboring an ounce of foolishness in our lives that can outweigh our pounds of wisdom and honor…  and this is just as bad as a dead fly in a bottle of perfume!  What a great analogy by Solomon.  Think of unchecked sin in your life a dead fly in the perfume of your life…  it is a sad but true analogy…  Get that dead fly out of your life!

    Flydead

    I love verse 18 as well – “Laziness lets the roof leak, and soon the rafters begin to rot.”  This is so very true, of course.  Are there any areas of laziness in your life where you are letting some “roofs leak?”   Are there “rafters rotting” in your life?  Will you pray to God for freedom from your laziness in those areas of your life and will you simply go and fix the roof?

    Ecclesiastes chapter 12 verse 13 is the key verse in this entire book!  “Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person.”  Take a moment to meditate on this verse.  Do you agree with this teaching?  Do you fear God?  What does it mean to fear God?  (Bible.org has a good overview of fearing God at this link – scroll down on that page to the commentary on verses 11-22)  Are you obedient to God’s commands?  Do you believe this is your duty?

    Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the MercyMe song “So Long Self,” which has a fun video:


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJtKdjaH2nY

    Have you said So Long to your Self? Click here and say Goodbye!

    Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of every human being.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 TNIV

    Prayer Point: Pray that you have a godly fear and an everlasting love of God. Pray that you are able to daily move toward keeping his commandments through grace and a saving faith in His son Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.

    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!

  • Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18
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    Our readings in Ecclesiastes today reminded me of Solomon’s writings in Proverbs!  (It was likely the same author of both books – well, most of the Proverbs – hence the connection) It seemed like a series of Proverbs in today’s readings – albeit with a more pessimistic view than the typical Proverbs we read…  but still, overall great teachings and great reminders of how empty and vain life is apart from God.  I love Chapter 7 verse 20, which is something we all probably need to be reminded of: “There is not a single person in all the earth who is always good and never sins.”  And certainly that was true back then and now.  Jesus was the only one ever to walk the earth who never sinned.  Now, to go along with verse 20 we later read verse 28, which I’m thinking probably did not make women too happy to read: “Just one out of every thousand men I interviewed can be said to be upright, but not one woman!”  Now, first and foremost, keep in mind this is the author of Ecclesiastes’ opinion or experience – not God saying this.  Scripture does not declare anywhere that women are morally inferior to men.  The bottom line of this verse is that basically no one is upright – men or women.  The next verse 29 then says: “I discovered that God created people to be upright, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” This verse again reminds us that though we were created for righteousness, we are broken.  We are sinners.  We are in need of a Savior.  How about you?  Do you know anyone who is always good and never sins?  Anyone who does not need a Savior to forgive and heal them of their brokenness?  Do you believe God created people to be upright?  Without God and Jesus in our lives, do you think we are in severe danger of following our own downward path…

    Now, another verse that says “women” but that I think could just as well say “men” is chapter 7 verse 26 – “I discovered that a seductive woman is more bitter than death. Her passion is a trap, and her soft hands will bind you. Those who please God will escape from her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.”  This verse stood out to me as I read it, for one very modern and very dangerous reason:  internet pornography.  Now, I know I don’t need to tell anyone reading this that internet pornography is an incredibly serious problem affecting far too many people.  Many of whom are Christians.  The reason this verse stood out to me was the reminder that internet pornography is literally a snare that so many people are caught in.  They can’t escape it.  Well, they can, but it’s not easy on their own.  I have a hunch that someone reading this is addicted to internet pornography.  Or, maybe isn’t addicted – yet – but checks it out on occasion.  Let me warn anyone who ever goes to an internet pornography site – it is a snare!  A trap.  Like chapter 9 verse 12 in Ecclesiastes today says:  “Like fish in a net or birds in a snare, people are often caught by sudden tragedy.”  Visiting a pornography website even once is a sudden tragedy that has come to your doorstep.  You will then be like a fish in a net or a bird in a snare.  You will need much prayer and counseling to escape it’s lure.  I write this to warn folks too who have never visited an internet pornography site, but maybe someday in the future will be tempted to do so.  Don’t do it.  Ever.  Run from it.  Flee.  Actually, I’ve had to think about this because I know some of my friends (friends from many years ago – who I still try to witness to) watch pornographic movies on occasion.  I know it happens at bachelor parties, etc.  Honestly, I don’t go to bachelor parties at all these days – unless I know for sure there won’t be any of this nonsense.  But, I have a hunch someday I may be surprised at some gathering where a porn movie will be shown.  And guess what?  I will run.  Literally, I will flee that location of wherever that movie is being shown, and I won’t look back.  Why?  I won’t just sit there and let that stuff pollute my mind.  Pollute my very soul.  Pornography is exactly that – soul pollution.  It pollutes your soul!  I realize I’ve been typing way too long on this issue – but I do so because I know it’s a major issue for our society today.  It is a major issue for the church.  Please let me encourage you in that if you are ever in a situation with friends that pornography or strippers or anything like that appears that you literally run.  Flee.  And don’t look back.  And don’t fret about what your friends think.  Your soul is so much more important.  If anyone reading this is currently struggling with pornography, let me encourage you to talk to someone you trust about it immediately, and get help.  Today.  Go to counseling.  You cannot get out of the snare on your own.  You may succeed for short periods of time, but long-term you are going to need some help.  But, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and his precious blood poured out on the Cross for our sins, yes, indeed you can be freed of the snare of pornography.  You quickly need to run toward your freedom in Christ now; connect with pastors, friends & counselors who can keep you accountable and give you tools to beat this; and then please don’t ever look back to that which pollutes your very soul.  In Christ, my brothers and sisters, we are forgiven.  And Forgiveness will heal us. If we will let Him.

    Forgiven

    If you are struggling with pornography or any other sexual sin, Bible.org has some good essays and Q&A related to temptation (scroll down to the bottom of the page for the Q&A) at this link.  If anyone else has helpful resources (books, websites, etc.) that will help others be free of pornography addictions or other sexual sin, please share in the Comments section below? Thanks. 

    Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of Matt Redman’s song “The Heart of Worship:”


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4RUjGsTfks

    Do you know the heart of worship?  Click here and worship Him!

    Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens the face and changes its hard appearance.” Ecclesiastes 8:1 TNIV

    Prayer Point: Pray for godly wisdom in your life today and forevermore.

    Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post on the “Comments” 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!

  • Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12
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    I heard a good chunk of today’s readings in the book of Ecclesiastes at a wedding a few years ago.  And really, these verses work out quite nicely for a wedding if you think about it.  Chapter 4 verses 9 through 12: “Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”   Pretty good stuff for a wedding, eh?  The kicker is that last little bit about the triple-braided cord.  The pastor at the wedding I was at said that God is the third strand in the triple-braided cord in marriage.  I like that!  Two people come together in marriage, and it’s good.  But, throw God into the mix of the marriage, as I’m sure we would all want to do, and you’ve got a very strong triple braided cord!  Great stuff.  If you are married, is there a triple braided cord in your marriage?  Is God always part of your marriage?  Part of your every day life?

    Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Santcus Real’s awesome song “Lead Me:”


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBdFn4YgxPY

    Is God leading you? Click here to be led!

    Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If they fall down, they can help each other up. But pity those who fall and have no one to help them up! “ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 TNIV

    Prayer Point: Pray that you have at least one great friend, and that you in turn are a great friend to someone else. Pray that you will help out your friend if they fall, and that they in turn will help you out if you fall.

    Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up in the “Comments” 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!

Old Testament in a Year

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