Job 4:1-7:21
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Today in Job chapter 4 we read about Eliphaz the Temanite’s first response to Job, including these words in verses 3 through 6: “In the past you have encouraged many a troubled soul to trust in God; you have supported those who were weak. Your words have strengthened the fallen; you steadied those who wavered. But now when trouble strikes, you faint and are broken. Does your reverence for God give you no confidence? Shouldn’t you believe that God will care for those who are upright?” How do these words of Eliphaz’s speak to you?  Are these fair words for him to be saying to Job?  Are they fair words for us to consider in our own lives today as well?

Then in chapter 6 Job responds to Eliphaz as follows in verse 2 through 6: “If my sadness could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, they would be heavier than all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke so rashly. For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. He has sent his poisoned arrows deep within my spirit. All God’s terrors are arrayed against me. Don’t I have a right to complain? Wild donkeys bray when they find no green grass, and oxen low when they have no food. People complain when there is no salt in their food.”  How do these words of Job’s speak to you?  Are these fair words for him to be saying in reply to Eliphaz?  Are they fair words for us to consider in our own lives today as well?

Below is a powerful image for Job’s words in chapter 7 verse 11:

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Mountain People Worship’s song “My Heart Wants You:”

What does your heart want? Click here for your true desire!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Blessed are those whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” Job 5:17 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are blessed by the gift of God’s discipline. Pray for holy correction from God to make you more and more like Jesus each day.

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!

Job 1:1-3:26
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Yesterday we wrapped up Esther and today we begin Job! We are jumping back in time from 5th century B.C. (Esther) to 10th century B.C. (Job).  Below is an image of Job with his friends by artist Guy Rowe:

~ Job ~
Author: Unknown
Date: Tenth century B.C.
Content: This long narrative poem deals with one of the deepest problems of man: How do we explain sin and suffering, if there exists a God powerful enough to do something about them? The book begins with the suffering of Job being given three sets of speeches by some friends of his: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, each of whom tries to explain Job’s misery in a different way. A fourth man, Elihu, tries to summarize the situation, offering yet another explanation of why Job was suffering. Finally, the Lord himself speaks to Job, and Job recognizes that we do not so much need “answers” to life’s problems, as we need God himself. Job is then healed and given material and spiritual blessings far beyond his former state.
Theme: The mystery that surrounds human existence and the need to trust in God runs throughout the book. Mankind simply does not have enough knowledge to explain why things happen the way they do. It is possible to rise above our limitations by faith in God, however, because God does know why everything happens and will work good for those who love him. We may thus learn the profound truth that when we have nothing left but God, God is enough. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 9-10)  More commentary on Job titled “The Ideal of Submission” is at this link.  Below is an image from 15th century German artist Mittelalter of Job being smitten by sores by Satan from today’s readings and Job’s wife saying to him in chapter 2 verse 9: “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

Today Job has a very interesting chapter 1 discussion between God and Satan. Do you believe in the existence of Satan? Demons? Evil? In the introduction to the wonderful book, “The Screwtape Letters,” C.S. Lewis writes: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which the human race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.” I’ll be honest – in my early Christian walk, I did not really believe in the existence of Satan, demons, evil. I believed in God and Christ and Love, and thought that was enough – evil didn’t need to exist in my universe.  🙂  Unfortunately, I’ve heard another quote that: “Satan’s greatest trick is to convince a person that Satan does not exist.” I now could not agree more. If you don’t believe in Satan or evil’s existence then you are left open to subtle attacks, without even realizing it. God is so much more powerful than anything Satan can throw at you. But, keep in mind, Satan is throwing temptations at you. How do you combat the devil’s temptations? Read Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10-18 at this link. Do you believe in the existence of Satan? Demons? Evil?

Worship Video:  Yep, as we’re starting the book of Job it seems the most appropriate time to share with you Matt Redman’s “Blessed Be Your Name”.  Matt wrote this song just after September 11th when the world was in mourning for the U.S.  (Matt lives in England)  The song includes the line: “Blessed Be Your name, When I’m found in the desert place, Though I walk through the wilderness, Blessed Be Your name.”  I think we’ll find Job singing a similar song to God when we get to the very end of this powerful book we’re embarking on today… Below is this song performed live:

Is God’s name blessed to you? Click here for your true Blessings!

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!

Esther 8:1-10:3
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We wrap up the book of Esther today!  Job begins tomorrow!  Okay, somehow I forgot that the book of Esther ended with the Jewish holiday of Purim being instituted.  A good FAQ from a Jewish website about Purim is at this link.  In doing a google image search on Purim I quickly realized that folks dress up for this celebratory Jewish holiday!  Below is a modern day Purim mask:

There is also a device called the Purim “gragger”, which is a noisemaker.  When the Purim story is read aloud from the book of Esther everyone boos and shakes their graggers whenever Haman’s name is mentioned!  (I’m not kidding – it sounds like fun to me! 🙂  More on Purim graggers, including how you can make your own, is online here. Below is a picture of a gragger, and below that is a picture of a woman shaking a gragger at the sound of Haman’s name being read during Purim!

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of this beautiful song by Brandon Heath called “Love Never Fails:”

Are you experiencing love that never fails? Click here for true Love!

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!

Esther 4:1-7:10
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Today in Esther chapter 4 we read about Mordecai persuading Queen Esther to help save the Jews from Haman’s evil plot. In verse 14 we read these amazing words of Mordecai’s to Esther: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” For such a time as this. Powerful words to consider. You’ll recall similar words were used in the narrative of Joseph in Genesis – Joseph was sent ahead to Egypt by God to save his family from famine “for such a time as this.” Esther was married to the Persian King for such a time as this. And I believe that you and I have been placed on this earth this very day for such a time as this. Do you believe it is true that you really have been placed on this earth by God for such a time as this? Do you believe that there is a definite purpose for your life that God has called you to? Do you realize that you have the choice – as Esther had the choice – to move forward with God’s vision and plan for your life or to say no to God? Our time on this life is short. We can live our lives in accordance with God’s will and purpose for us or we can waste away our life with useless distractions. Trust me – the devil wants nothing more than to distract you from what God has called you to for such a time as this. So, what say you? Will you live your life wholly and purposefully for God for such a time as this? Will you leave the distractions behind?

Below is an amazing painting by Rembrandt from the year 1660 of Esther revealing the evil plans of Haman to King Xerxes at the banquet in chapter 7.  Check out how Haman is off in the left in the shadows… apropos!

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Esther titled “Esther’s Dilemma and Decision” is at this link and “Sleepless in Susa” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Third Day’s great song “Your Love Oh Lord!”

Do you know God’s love that reaches to the heavens? Click here to reach for faithfulness that reaches to the sky!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray for God to reveal to you why you are on the planet right now, for such a time as this. Pray for God’s perfect will in your life each and every day. Pray that you will stay in the center of God’s will for your life, for such a time as this.

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!

Esther 1:1-3:15
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Today we begin reading about Queen Esther! Hold on tight because Esther is an amazing book – and next week we launch into Job, which is incredible in its spiritual depth. We’re entering some amazing spiritual territory of the Old Testament. Don’t miss it!  Below is Esther:

~ Esther ~
Author: Unknown
Date: Fifth century B.C.
Content: The book of Esther deals with a momentous event that took place after the Persians had destroyed Babylon and while many Jews were still living in the land of their captivity. The story concerns a Jewess named Ester who had become the wife of the Persian King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). An evil advisor to the king, named Haman, sought the destruction of the Jews in order to gain control of their wealth, but Esther tactfully intervened and saved her people from this fate. Haman was executed, and after some civil strife things quieted down once more. The remarkable deliverance of the Jews was celebrated by a feast named Purim and it remains to this day.
Theme: The providence and power of God are the central points of this book. God was protecting his people even in their captivity and was working al things together for their good. God’s power is seen in the overthrow of Israel’s enemies. It is important to note that God used human beings to accomplish his purpose here, rather than doing it directly himself. We must be ready at all times to do God’s will when he so directs. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 9)  More commentary on the book of Esther is at this link.  Below is a fresco of “Queen Esther” from 1450 by Italian artist Andrea Del Castagno:

A map of the Persian empire at the time of the book of Esther in approximately 480 B.C. is below.  You can see the city of Susa, just above the Persian Gulf, where the book of Esther begins, as we read in verses 1 & 2 today: “This happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. At that time he ruled his empire from his throne at the fortress of Susa.”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Esther titled “Miss Persia” is at this link and “Hanging Out At the Gate” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Kutless’ “Sea of Faces:”

Are you lost in a sea of faces? Click here to be Found!

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!

Nehemiah 12:27-13:31
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We finish up the book of Nehemiah today!  Esther is up tomorrow!  Today in Nehemiah chapter 12 we read about the dedication of Jerusalem’s Wall, which is awesome to read about.  Verses 27 & 28 tell us – “During the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, the Levites throughout the land were asked to come to Jerusalem to assist in the ceremonies. They were to take part in the joyous occasion with their songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, lyres, and harps. The singers were brought together from Jerusalem and its surrounding villages and from the villages of the Netophathites.”

Below is a great image for Nehemiah chapter 12 verse 30 today:

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of the beautiful song “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus:”

Are your eyes looking at Jesus? Click here to turn your eyes toward Him!

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!

Nehemiah 11:1-12:26
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Today in Nehemiah chapter 11 we read about the people of Israel occupying Jerusalem – and not necessarily by their own choice!  Lots had to be thrown to determine which 1 out of every 10 people in rural areas would move to Jerusalem.  Verses 1 & 2 tell us: “Now the leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city, at this time. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were. And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem.”  I read an interesting commentary that speculated that some people did not want to move to Jerusalem from the countryside because it would mean they would have to more stringently follow God with their lives.  This would be due to social pressures of living in Jerusalem and proximity to the Temple.  And this made me wonder – are we like this in our lives today too?  Maybe we go through periods of time where we don’t go to church because it means we might have to actually start living our lives like Christians due to the community that church provides?  I am always worried when I get to points in my life where I don’t feel like going to church.  It is in those moments that I realize how desperately I need church – and yet how I’m trying to avoid going.  I don’t want to change some behavior.  I don’t want people to see me for who I really am.  I don’t want to be too close to the “Temple”…  How about you.  If you’re called to “move to Jerusalem” by God, will you move?  In the words of a famous Switchfoot song, “I dare you to move.” Below is a nice map of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s time:

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song, “Do Everything:”

Are you doing everything for God? Click here for Everything!

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!

Nehemiah 9:22-10:39
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Today in Nehemiah chapter 9 we wrap up the wonderful prayer of the Levites that began in yesterday’s readings!  This prayer is a fantastic overview of God’s grace and discipline to the Israelites.

Today in Nehemiah chapter 10 we read the vows of the people, including these in verses 30 & 31: “We promise not to let our daughters marry the pagan people of the land, nor to let our sons marry their daughters. We further promise that if the people of the land should bring any merchandise or grain to be sold on the Sabbath or on any other holy day, we will refuse to buy it. And we promise not to do any work every seventh year and to cancel the debts owed to us by other Jews.”  How are you doing with taking a Sabbath?

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminds me of the wonderful Selah video and song “You Raise Me Up:”

Has God raised you up? Click here for Resurrection!

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!

Nehemiah 7:73-9:21
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We have powerful readings in Nehemiah today!  Just to frame up for us the date of these readings, in chapter 8 verse 2 we are reading about October 8, 444 B.C.  Verses 2 & 3 today tell us: “So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the scroll of the law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people paid close attention to the Book of the Law.”

You’ll note in verse 2 that we read about Ezra for the first time in the book of Nehemiah.  And of course we just recently read the book of Ezra.  Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries.  Ezra was a priest and scribe – a religious leader – whereas Nehemiah was the governor – not a member of the religious establishment nor a prophet.  However, it’s important to note that Nehemiah was a layman who was very devoted to God!  Nehemiah pursued God’s will in a secular world.  Do you suppose that you and I could learn something for our lives today from Nehemiah’s devotion to God as a layperson?  As a layperson, are you living your life fully devoted to God and pursuing God’s will?  Let us live like Nehemiah encourages us to live in chapter 8 verse 10 today!  “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”  What do you think Nehemiah meant here by saying the joy of the Lord is your strength?  Today, in your life, is the joy of the Lord your strength?  If not, will you pray to know the joy of the Lord as your strength?

In Nehemiah chapter 9 verses 5 through 37 we read one of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible!  I love it.  Think you could ever pray a prayer like this one?  I definitely don’t believe all of our prayers need to be like this one at all – but it’s pretty amazing to think about perhaps writing out a prayer of praise like this to God.  Maybe even integrating in some of the amazing ways God has redeemed me.  I’ll admit I’ve never done a prayer like this.  But maybe someday I will.  Maybe someday will you?

Worship Video: Chris Tomlin does a nice job quoting from Nehemiah 8:10 – for the joy of the Lord is our strength! – in his song “Holy is the Lord”:

Is the joy of the Lord your strength? Click here for Strength!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray for joy in the Lord today. Pray that the joy of the Lord is your strength, today and forevermore!

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!

Nehemiah 5:14-7:73
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It is great to see Nehemiah’s strong character in today’s readings!  As governor, he could have taken full advantage of collecting food allotments from the people.  But he didn’t, as he knew these allotments would have been a burden on them.  Then, Nehemiah sticks to leading the people in the goal of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem – which was an incredible feat that was pulled off in less than 2 months through God’s grace.  And this is a wall that was down for 150 years! Is there anything you can apply to your life through today’s readings about Nehemiah?  Are there areas of your life where perhaps you are taking advantage of a situation you shouldn’t?  Is there a goal in your life that you’re not moving on that you should?  Will you pray to God like Nehemiah did in 6:9 – “But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.””

Below is an image of Nehemiah in chapter 6 verses 4 through 7: “Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, and this is what it said: “Geshem tells me that everywhere he goes he hears that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. He also reports that you have appointed prophets to prophesy about you in Jerusalem, saying, `Look! There is a king in Judah!’ You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.”

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the wonderful Crowder/Maverick City song “God Really Loves Us:”

Do you believe that God really loves you? Click here and receive God’s love!

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!