July 21

July 21
One Year Bible Readings:
2 Chronicles 4:1-6:11
Romans 7:1-13
Psalm 17:1-15
Proverbs 19:22-23
Supplemental Reading for The One Year Bible.
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog.

2 Chronicles:
Today in Second Chronicles we read about the furnishings for the Temple, including the completion of the Sea in chapter 4 verses 4 & 5 - "The Sea rested on a base of twelve bronze oxen, all facing outward. Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east. The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a lily blossom. It could hold about 16,500 gallons of water." The Sea was used by the priests for their ceremonial washings. Interestingly, the New Testament views these washing rituals as a foreshadowing of the cleansing provided to us by Jesus, as we will read later this year in Hebrews chapter 9 verses 11-14.
Q: Has Jesus cleansed you of your sins? When? How?

Romans:

Great writings by Paul in Romans 7 today about the Law! I love how he wraps up today's readings in verses 12 & 13 by saying: "But still, the law itself is holy and right and good. But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my doom? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God's good commandment for its own evil purposes." Great theology in this chapter today! Indeed - the law itself is holy and right and good. But, we couldn't keep the law and sin tempted us to break the law. And thanks to Jesus, Paul tells us in verse 6 today: "But now we have been released from the law, for we died with Christ, and we are no longer captive to its power. Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit." We now serve God by the Spirit! We are free indeed!
Q: How are you living your life in the Spirit? How do you recognize the Spirit in your life today?

Psalm:

In Psalm 17 David appeals to God as Judge when he is being attacked by foes. Verse 7 is a great prayer and comfort! "Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies."
Q: Do you seek refuge with God from whatever might attacking you? Do you believe that God will show you his unfailing love in wonderful ways? Have you been saved by God's strength? Have you sought refuge with God from your "enemies"?

Proverbs:

I like Proverbs 19 verse 22 today! "Loyalty makes a person attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest." It is an interesting combination of proverbs in one verse. I do agree that loyalty is an attractive quality in people.  
Q: How are you loyal to God? And I wholeheartedly agree that it is better to be poor than dishonest. Dishonestly is a sin that breeds so many other sins and wrong-thinkings in our life. It's to be avoided - even if it means being materially poor. You will be wealthy in God's eyes because of your honesty!

Copyright © 2004-2012 One Year Bible Blog

No Comments