January 2

January 2
One Year Bible Readings:
Genesis 3:1-4:26
 Matthew 2:13-3:6
 Psalm 2:1-12
 Proverbs 1:7-9

Supplemental Reading For The One Year Bible
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog

Old Testament
Today in Genesis chapter 3 we read about The Fall.  Chapter 3 is a foundational chapter of the Bible to understand.  From this chapter our history goes forward with sin passed on to every man and woman through the seed of Adam.  This sets the stage for God's pursuit of men and women in Genesis, followed by the Exodus from Egypt, the Laws, the judges, the kings, the prophets - and ultimately the final solution to the Fall: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Q: What is your reaction to reading about The Fall in Genesis today?

New Testament
In Matthew today we read about The Escape to Egypt.  Two things stand out about Joseph's behavior in today's readings.  In verse 13 an angel tells Joseph to "get up and flee to Egypt" - and Joseph responds by leaving THAT NIGHT with the family, as we see in verse 14.  That's beautiful obedience.  Then, in verse 21 we see Joseph respond similarly when he is told by an angel to return to Israel - he leaves with the family "immediately."  I like this - Joseph is acting obediently to God's will in his life - and he is acting pronto!  He's not sitting around worrying or fretting or thinking that he'll get to it tomorrow.  He goes that night!  He returns immediately!  
Q: Can we learn from Joseph's amazing obedience in these readings? Is God calling you to do something in your life that you are hemming and hawing about? Is God calling you to forgive someone? To love someone? To serve someone? To encourage someone? Will you be like Joseph and obey God's call for your life immediately? Do you have obedience like this when it comes to God's will for your life?

Psalm:
Psalm 2 today is a prophetic and Messianic Psalm. This Psalm is frequently quoted in the New Testament in reference to Jesus as God's Anointed and the great son of King David.  The word "Messiah" comes from the Hebrew word for "anointed one."  And the word "Christ" comes from the Greek word for "anointed one."  (as we read Anointed One in verse 2 of this Psalm today) Verses 11 & 12 in this Psalm are encouraging and also a strong warning for us at the same time: "Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Submit to God's royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of your pursuits--for his anger can flare up in an instant. But what joy for all who find protection in him!"  The closing sentence should be a huge encouragement to us.  If we are seeking to love God and Jesus and other people with all of our hearts, mind, strength and souls - God knows it.  And he will provide eternal protection for us.  Yes, there will be suffering in this life - but joy can be found in knowing that we will have an eternity to spend with God and his royal son!

Proverbs:

Proverbs chapter 1 verse 7 is basically the mission statement for the entire book of Proverbs! "Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline."  
Q: What does this proverb say to you?  Do you believe we should fear God?  Bible commentaries define this fear of God as "a loving reverence for God that includes submission to his Lordship and to the commands of his words."  Do you believe that fear of God is the beginning of knowledge in our lives?  Will you embrace wisdom and discipline in your life?  Will you make wisdom and discipline top priorities in your life in this new year?

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