May 4

May 4
One Year Bible Readings:
Judges 19:1-20:48
John 3:22-4:3
Psalm 104:24-35
Proverbs 14:22-24
Supplemental Reading for The One Year Bible.
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog.

Judges:
Hmmm... notice the similarities between Judges chapter 19 and Genesis chapter 19?  In Genesis chapter 19 two angels arrived in Sodom in the evening and they planned to spend the night in the town square.  But Lot insisted they go with him and spend the night at his house.  Then, in the middle of the night the men of Sodom came to Lot's house to have sex with the two angels.  Lot offered his two virgin daughters instead...   see the unfortunate similarities?  Social protocol of the time - protecting a house guest at any cost - unfortunately carried more authority in Judges chapter 19 than God's law and moral convictions.  Obviously this is an extreme case in Judges chapter 19....
Q: yet, is it possible that in today's world social protocol of our time can sometimes carry more authority than moral convictions?  How do we stand tall today and protect someone when this is the case?  How have you stood up for moral convictions over social protocol today?

John:
Wow... I love John the Baptist's words about Jesus in John chapter 3 today!  Great stuff.  Please read these verses again and meditate upon them in your life today.  The verse that really stood out to me today was verse 30 when John said this about Jesus - "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." How very true and how very applicable to our lives today.  We must let Jesus become greater and greater in our lives, hearts, and actions, and our individualism / selfishness must become less and less.  
Q: How are you doing on this?  How are you allowing Jesus to become greater and greater in your life and are "you" becoming less and less?

Psalm:
Today we finish up Psalm 104, which we started yesterday. I mentioned in yesterday's post, that this is a great Psalm of praising God's creation. And indeed it is. What I didn't realize yesterday, but I picked up today, is that this Psalm overall goes through Genesis 1 and the story of creation. Not quite in the same order of creation, or the same details. But, essentially this Psalm is a retelling of Genesis 1. I love Psalm 104 verse 33 today - "I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!"  I so pray that this verse will be true for both you and me.  I pray we will sing to God as long as we live.  I pray we will praise God to our very last breath.  And in particular at our very last breath I pray we are praising God!
Q: How are you singing to God in your life today? What are some new ways you are praising God these days?

Proverbs:
Proverbs verse 14 chapter 22 is awesome - "If you plan good, you will be granted unfailing love and faithfulness."  Great stuff!  And so true.  
Q: Do you plan good in your life?  Do you consciously think of ways you can bless others?  Do you love others well?  Do you surprise others with grace?  Often?  Do you believe that if you plan good, you will be granted unfailing love and faithfulness?

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