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Thu, Nov 20: Ezekiel 40-42

The Lord God showed Ezekiel a detailed vision of the measurements for a temple to be built later in Jerusalem. If it helps you to visualize this information, there are several web sites with models or more details.

Ezekiel's Temple, by Lambert Dolphin
Model of Ezekiel's Temple (Millennial Temple), by Paul Jablonowski
Model of Ezekiel's Temple by John W. Schmitt
Ezekiel's Temple, by Mark Alvis
Ezekiel's Temple: comparisons of heights & Jewish worship centers, by Ken Bowles
Ezekiel's Temple, by Jan Willem van der Hoeven, International Christian Zionist Center
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem, research listed by Lambert Dolphin

Wed, Nov 19: Ezekiel 37-39

[Thank you to today's guest commentator, Ted Wade. Ted is the author of the web site, BibleExplained.com, which grew out of his earlier web commentary on the book of "Revelation".]

Kids in Sunday School have sung about Ezekiel's vision of dry bones without understanding it was a vision or what it may mean. No problem -- the same kids flip the light switch without understanding how electricity works.

Check "The Bible Explained" website for notes on the dry bones vision in Chapter 37, about idolatry and the result of national sin.

Then check Chapter 38 and Chapter 39, presenting a prophesy against Gog, with details both of things to come soon for Ezekiel's people as well as later after the Messiah came, and in the end times.

Tue, Nov 18: Ezekiel 34-36

The Levite males, descendants of Levi, had been set aside as a group to make atonement for sin on behalf of the Israelites at the Tent of Meeting, so no plagues would strike the people approaching the sanctuary. (Numbers 8:5-26) Over the centuries, they took advantace of their job security, and rather than shepherding the people of Israel, they ignored the heart of their job description, ignored their accountability to God for the people, and focused upon all the rewards of the job, like quality food and clothing.

The rest of Chapter 34 has Jesus' fingerprints all over it. He declares that He will take on the responsibilities of shepherding Israel, and these chapters are worth reading and re-reading. At the least readers will be reminded of His asking Peter three times if he loved Him, and if so, "Feed my sheep". Moreover, the focus here is on the Messiah-Shepherd promising a new covenant. And forget about judging this by appearance. It will be a dark day, the Lord says, when he rescues the scattered flock from all the places they have wandered.

The people of Edom wanted to judge current events by appearance. When Jerusalem fell, it looked to them like a perfect ending to cleaning up the neighborhood. How they hated those Israelites! So what a great opportunity it seemed to be to take over Israel and Judah as Edom's possession. Like the Levites, Edom confused ambition with fact. The truth was, if you hate Israel you hate their God. Edom had no idea how powerful Israel's God is. He hears all the boasting and hatred expressed against Him and Israel all around the world. When He punishes Israel like a son, He isn't disinheriting Israel by a long shot. Learn to learn from Israel's mistakes like you would learn from your parents disciplining your own brother or sister. Their expectations apply to you, too.

Israel didn't deserve the Lord's giving them back the promised land, but He would for the sake of His holy name. Another chapter worth reading over and over, some of Chapter 36 has happened, and some hasn't. It reminded me of the explanation of 2 Peter 3:9 that God is not slow in keeping his promises, but is patient, not wanting any one to perish.

In the meantime, some people in the spirit of Edom and others continue to hate and kill the Jews. (News on the weekend synagogue bombings in Turkey)

Mon, Nov 17: Ezekiel 32-33

Check me out here, but Chapter 32 seems very timely. The lament God gives Ezekiel for Pharoah predicts the end of Egypt's strength and pride. God has given Babylon, "mighty men - the most ruthless of all nations", permission to put an end to all the Pharoah took pride in.

What happens to terrorists like Egypt was? They seem to go to a particular section after death according to the cause of their death. In this case, Egypt would join Assyria, Elam, Meshech, Tubal, Edom, all the princes of the north, and Sidonia who had used their power as terrorists in the land of the living.

And what was their reward for terrorism? They would die and then, too late, they would see they were with all the other uncircumcised terrorists. Too late, they would be ashamed realizing they were receiving punishment for sins, not reward for terrorism. "They went down with the slain in disgrace despite the terror caused by their power."

Pharoah will not be oblivious in death. He will see all the other terrorists in the afterlife, and in some sort of "misery likes company" way (this is Donald Stamps idea) he will be
consoled. God had allowed the terrorism, but punishment would follow.

Furthermore, in Chapter 33, God plainly states that he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He sends warnings, as through Ezekiel, that are meant to be delivered either to individuals or to groups as God directs. God explains accountability and repentance. If a righteous man starts to trust in his own righteousness, rather than in God, he can't rely on his past right relationship with God. (So much for trusting in the date of the day I was saved??) A wicked man or woman who turns from sin, trusts God, and does restitution will live. (This explains the two men on the crosses beside Jesus.)

Somewhat like the gulls in the movie "Nemo", the people left in the ruins of Israel were saying "Mine, mine, mine" because the land had been given to Abraham as a possession. God told Ezekiel to tell them that they didn't obey as Abraham had obeyed. Israel had taken pride in their own strength, but God would make the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable things Israel had done.

After the Israel exiles saw that Ezekiel's prophesies came true, his popularity increased. How entertaining he was! But so far hearing his revelations hadn't changed what the people did. So far talking about what Ezekiel was saying hadn't made God's word the object of their affections. They still just didn't get it.

Sun, Nov 16: Ezekiel 28-31

I know that this section of Ezekiel is often seen to be describing Satan, and that is referenced below. But what strikes me in this reading is the sin of pride that so easily besets us - ok, me.

Things were going just great for the king of Tyre. His trade routes were expanding. His expertise in merchandising was increasing. He could hire the best in any number of fields related to his city's export-import business. Life was good, and the ruler of Tyre (what was   his name, anyway???) felt great.

How smart he was!
How beautiful was Tyre!
Problems? He had the answers!
Resistance? He had the power!

After all, he wasn't one of those ruthless conquerors like Assyria or like Nebuchadnezzar over in Babylon. OK, so Tyre had to get a little rough and overcharge and swindle -- but, hey, sometimes that's necessary. You know, the end justifies the means. And in this economy, ultimately it helps everyone to be part of Tyre's international world trade system.

Anyway, Tyre wasn't the only one full of pride. Just look south to Egypt! Pharoah thought he was so cool with the Nile running through his country. Even God's Chosen People had run there for help and protection.

It's just that eventually, God had enough.

* He had enough of Tyre reminding Him of Satan.

* He had enough of Sidon and the malicious neighbors of Israel and Judah.

* He had enough of Eqypt reminding Him of the people of Israel's sin.

* He had enough of Pharoah taking credit for the Nile.

* He had enough of ALL sources of pride throughout the whole world.

I wish I understood the "trees of the field" better. God described Assyria - which had been defeated by Babylon - as a cedar tree in Lebanon. "The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it." But for all it's advancement and improvements, that tree fell when God handed it over to Babylon, to deal with Assyria's wickedness. "No other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high... they are all destined for death... among mortal men, with those who go down to the pit."

Lord help me, that when I'm proud of some achievement or accomplishment, YOU get the credit. Then I will know that YOU are the Lord.

- - - - - -
More information on Satan, from jcsm.org
More about the trees of the field with scripture references

* Sun, Nov 16: Ezekiel 28-31 * Mon, Nov 17: Ezekiel 32-33 * Tue, Nov 18: Ezekiel 34-36 * Wed, Nov 19: Ezekiel 37-39 * Thu, Nov 20: Ezekiel 40-42 * Fri, Nov 21: Ezekiel 43-46 * Sat, Nov 22: Ezekiel 47-48

Sat, Nov 15: Ezekiel 25-27

The Lord's prophecy against Tyre was one of several against areas that had delighted in Jerusalem's fall. (He made other prophecies to countries that had taken revenge on Judah.)

Having no interest in the God of Judah, these areas weren't warned to lament Jerusalem's fall. They didn't understand the concept, "Love your enemies." (Who did? Jonah didn't love the people of Ninevah, and resisted obeying God to warn them.) Tyre saw the elimination of an economic competitor in the hard times of Jerusalem, and was delighted at the judgement against Judah.

The economy of Tyre was based upon trade routes both on land and on sea. With many products and great wealth of goods, Tyre bartered for raw materials and the best products from other trading countries. Tyre attracted skilled craftsmen, carpenters, shipwrights, seamen, merchants, and soldiers to work with them.

All this would come to a horrible end. Like today's boom boxes, offensively noisy songs had blared out of Tyre long enough, and God promised to put an end to their music industry as well.

Wealth won't save a country. External beauty won't fool God. Commercial centers aren't indespensible. Fear of terrorism isn't the same as coming to and trusting the Lord. Mourn for all who trust in their goods, their services, their raw materials to save them.

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More on the history and current status of Tyre. The Phoenician and Canaanite levels of Tyre are gone.

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Fri, Nov 14: Ezekiel 23-24

[Thanks to today's guest commentator, Don Sween. Don maintains several Bible reading options on his site Today's Bible.]

23:2 Two Daughters -- Israel and Judah

23:5-9 Engaged in Prostitution
   Entering into alliances with the pagan nations of Assyria and Egypt instead of trusting in God alone for their protection.

23:49 "Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD."
   Sometimes it takes punishment and chastisement before people understand in their "hearts" that Jesus is Lord.

24:2 This Date

   This date was January 15, 588 BC, the same day the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem began.

24:3-12 Put on the Cooking Pot
   Jerusalem would be like a cooking pot and its inhabitants like pieces of meat and choice bones.

24:15-17 Ezekiel's Wife Dies

24:18 I Did As I Was Commanded
   A stunning example of obedience and love. Jesus said, "He who loves me keeps my commandments." Being faithful to God can be very costly.

Thu, Nov 13: Ezekiel 21-22

[Thanks to today's guest commentator, Donald C. Stamps. Donald was a missionary in Brazil who wrote notes and articles on Scripture which became the "Full Life Study Bible" after his death from cancer in 1991.]

"22:2-12 BY SHEDDING BLOOD. Jerusalem had become a city of violence and all sorts of wickedness. There was no longer any respect for holy things, family, or the poor and needy. Sexual immorality was rampant, and cheating and bribery were commonplace. All this happened because the people had turned from God and his word. Therefore, God was giving the city over to severe judgment and destruction.
Today the social and spiritual condition of cities throughout the world is similar to that of ancient Jerusalem. Unless these cities repent, they will perish just as Jerusalem did. Nations, cities, and people cannot despise God and his ways without ultimately reaping the consequences."

"22:25-28 HER PRIESTS. Instead of being loyal to God and to their holy calling, the people's spiritual leaders used their offices for personal financial gain and gave themselves to sinful gratificaiton. Some so-called Christian leaders today are guilty of the same sins, bringing incalculable harm to the church."

"22:28 HER PROPHETS WHITEWASH. As a result of this whitewashing by the prophets, the people did not fear God or his judgment as they persisted in sin.

Today some ministers comfort people in their sins by assuring them that:
(1) everyone sins that way;
(2) we live in an age when it is impossible to live above sin and immorality because of a tidal wave of evil;
(3) we are only human and cannot expect to live up to God's holy standards;
(4) God loves us just the way we are, no matter what we do, so that there is no reason to fear him or his judgment; and
(5) God does not see our sin if we are believers, for he sees only Christ's righteousness."

"22:30 I LOOKED FOR A MAN. Corruption among leaders (vv. 22:25-28) and the people (v. 29) was so widespread in Judah that God could not find even one person who would attempt to lead the people back to God. It is a tragedy when some churches are so gripped by worldliness and spiritual compromise that God can find no one in the congregation who is willing to intercede by building up the wall and standing "in the gap" of the collapsing situation, no one to cry out against spiritual and moral decay, no one to lead the way in humble prayer, true repentance and an earnest seeking of God for revival (cf. 2Ch 7:14). All too often many good people remain silent out of a spirit of fear or compromise rather than risk becoming fervent intercessors for revival and for turning away God's wrath and judgment."

Wed, Nov 12: Ezekiel 18:14-20:49

One time that I decided to clean out my purse, my husband happened to be in the room with me. He found it hilarious that all I found to throw out was an old kleenex.

This attempt to clean up comes to mind as I read this section of Ezekiel. For some reason, God chose to reveal himself and his ways to Israel. They weren't particularly a loveable people or easy to get along with - God had other reasons for choosing them. But he expected Israel to grasp what a great advantage it was to a people to have access to the living God. Apparently Israel didn't want this responsibility of being chosen. It was too hard ... too different ... too much to ask of a people. They wanted to be like their neighbors in the world, who serve wood and stone.

God told them through Ezekiel that this would never happen. Israel had a choice, but this was not part of it. What they needed to do was to clean up their lives, to throw out all idols, to focus on what's important, to get rid of the rest. They must learn to be self-disciplined, because "the righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him." (18:20b)

The people argued that God was unjust to judge them as a people. God declared that he would judge each individual, and even - if there was a change in one's life from wicked to righteous- to judge individuals by the change in their lives, even if that meant a righteous one who changed to wicked ways. So it remained the people whose ways were unjust.

God pointed out the advantages of cleaning themselves up. "Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!" (18:30-32)

God had already told them how. "Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." (20:7) It is possible, God said, for "a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things." (18:14)

So the Lord God is calling every person who follows Him to clean up their own lives and focus on what He defines as righteousness. It's time to do a much more serious clean-up job than Israel did in today's reading, or than I ever did with a purse.

Thank you, veterans.

Tue, Nov 11: Ezekiel 16:24-18:13

[Thanks to today's guest commentator, George Ertel. George is author of the blog Christ at Work, where he thinks through issues on being a Christian in the workplace today.]

"In this passage we continue to read of God's displeasure with Israel during the time of its captivity by Iraq, around 600 BC. It is good for us to see how God has dealt with his favorite people when they have ignored His expectations. Of course, for this to be of more than academic value, we should work to see how it might teach us something personally - something that might improve our own relationships with Him.

As I have read the passage, I am drawn to Ezekiel's reference to Sodom. Today, the popular understanding of Sodom comes from Genesis 18 and (especially) 19, in which we can read about the attempted homosexual rape by some men of Sodom. This incident has given rise to our current term sodomy for unnatural sex. However, Ezekiel reports that God had a different image of Sodom (and remember, God was going to destroy Sodom even before the rape was threatened).

God was angered by Sodom's "exceedingly grave" sin. What was this sin? According to Ezek 16.49-50: " 'Now this was the sin of . Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.' "

Sodom was arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned. The people did not help the poor and needy. God was angered by this.

Today, many people believe God has given salvation to anyone who asks to be saved. They believe He loves them so much He is indifferent to whether or not they love Him. They believe His salvation is simply a free gift with no strings attached. Since works are useless for salvation, why not just enjoy what we have? After all, we have His promise.

Sodom was arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned. The people did not help the poor and needy. God was angered by this then, and He is angered by this now (see Matt 25.31-46).

Have we believed Christ if we do not follow Christ?"

Mon, Nov 10: Ezekiel 13-16:23

[Thank you to today's guest commentator, Doug McHone. Doug is reading through the Bible chronologically on his site, CoffeeSwirls.com, from which he offers weekly commentary on the daily readings.]

"At one time, the people of Israel had a chance to delay their destruction, possibly even to avert it altogether. By now, God was thoroughly fed up. Three great examples of Godly men are mentioned here. God is using them to say that even if they were in the city, the city wouldn't be spared. When you stop to think about these men, this statement becomes more and more profound. Noah was singled out from the population of the world as the only one worth saving! Job was noticed by Satan as God's "flagship" of sorts because of his righteousness. Daniel had the faith to challenge the wishes of the most powerful king in the world at that time while he was nothing more than an exiled refugee."

(Week 33, Day 7: Ezekiel 14:1-16:63)

Sun, Nov 9: Ezekiel 9-12

Up until now in our reading, the glory of God was still present in the Temple in Jerusalem, even though the people still living there were convinced that God had spared - but forsaken - them and no longer saw or cared what they were doing. Many of the leaders were loyal to idols made of silver and gold and even brought these things into the Temple, worshiping them there only somewhat secretly. Their evil of ignoring the God of their fathers with arrogance, terrorism, violence, murders, distain for justice, false visions, and flattering divinations increased.

So God sent angels throughout Jerusalem from the Temple out to supernaturally mark the foreheads of anyone who was visably upset and grieving over the detestable things currently going on. Unmarked people were going to die according to what they had done, conforming to the standards of neighboring nations.

And then the glory of God gradually left the Temple. He was still available as a sanctuary to people who had been taken from Israel and scattered in other countries. And God would spare a few of them so they could make their guilty treatment of God public knowledge in far off countries.

The same God who had always been so patient with the rebels now told "son of man" Ezekiel to tell them it was time for every vision to happen. "No way," they would say.

"Way" was the reply. "Then they will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel timeline Reading for November 9-15: Sun, Nov 9: Ezekiel 9-12 | Mon, Nov 10: Ezekiel 13-16:23 | Tue, Nov 11: Ezekiel 16:24-18:13 | Wed, Nov 12: Ezekiel 18:14-20:49 | Thu, Nov 13: Ezekiel 21-22 | Fri, Nov 14: Ezekiel 23-24 | Sat, Nov 15: Ezekiel 25-27

Sat, Nov 8: Ezekiel 5-8

Ezekiel, described in Clavis Biblica:
"This prophet was one of the Jews who were carried captive to Babylon, with Jehoiakim, king of Judah. He began to prophesy in Chaldea, about the fifth year of the captivity, before Christ five hundred and ninety-five years; and continued about twenty-five years. He preached against the iniquities of the Jews; and foretold the destruction of several neighboring nations, enemies to the Jews. He was chiefly sent for the edification of the poor captives in Babylon. He foretold the calling of the Gentiles, and the glorious state of the church of God, under the similitude of a temple, the parts of which he very minutely describes. He is on the whole very obscure."

Obscure or not, today's reading describes the long term cause and effect of a nation's disobedience to God's laws. Add to that the results of God finally having enough of the rebellious people, and withdrawing His favor from them. What they trusted in fails them, and the One who was trustworthy is angry with them and will no longer listen.

"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." (Romans 1:28)

We also need to think about the fact that God has planned a future day of wrath, too. See Romans 2:1-16 Have you joined God's side in the current spiritual war?

Prayer request:
Melody Green, from Last Days Ministries, is speaking today in Kansas City MO at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) for a Women's Conference on Prophecy. Please pray for her, for increased energy and anointing. Since having a stroke, this is her first speaking project, I think. She speaks at 9 am Central Daylight Savings time.

Fri, Nov 7: Ezekiel 1-4

Once, when asked how we witness about our faith, a lady in a Sunday School class answered that she shared God with other people by smiling at them. Ezekiel wouldn't have understood this approach.

As we begin reading Ezekiel today, you might want to check out several sites that comment on the book.

Ezekiel Introduction, NAB
Introduction to Ezekiel, Bible.org
Ezekiel introduction, Bible Basics
An Argument on the book of Ezekiel, Bible.org
Lesson on Ezekiel, Bible.org
Ezekiel study resources, iTanakh
Ezekiel resources, Old Testament Gateway
Ezekiel in Hebrew, Hareidi.org

Thought for the day - is
Wrong to Illegal
the same as
Sin to Not believing God?

Thu, Nov 6: Lamentations 2-5

The Lord God's favorite people had gotten hung up on themselves. They thought they could do no wrong - perhaps that God would follow THEM. They thought and acted as though their God was irrelevant.

Justice for others? Not interested.
Peace and luxury? Bring it on.
Immorality and sleeping around? If it feels good do it.
Homosexuality? Abortion? Who are you to judge?

Jeremiah wept. Having warned the chosen people of God's extreme displeasure, after God removed His protection and Jerusalem fell, Jeremiah wrote these five grief-filled poems.

Stamps' "Full Life Study Bible" explains the relevance of the book of Lamentations. "Like Romans 1:18-3:20, these five chapters call believers to reflect on the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine judgment. At the same time, they remind us that because of the compassion and mercy of the Lord, salvation is available for those who repent of their sins and turn to him. Furthermore, the prophet's tears call to mind the tears of Jesus Christ, who wept over the sins of Jerusalem as he foresaw its coming destruction at the hands of the Romans (Mt 23:37-38; Lk 13:34-35; 19:41-44)"

Possible memory verse:
"The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
(Lam 3:25-26)

Wed., Nov 5: John 20-21 and Lamentations 1

Lamentations is not mentioned in the New Testament, and yet the theme of the first lament (chapter 1) is over the destruction of Jerusalem, about 585 BC. Jerusalem had rebelled against God, not considering her future.

We have just read in John how Jerusalem's religious leaders, i.e. "the Jews", had not considered their future. They did not understood how God's promises about the Messiah in the past, plus their current rejection of the Messiah, would equal a future destruction of Jerusalem within a few decades of Jesus' crucifixion.

The ending of the book of John is a first hand witness about Jesus' appearances to His disciples after His death and resurrection. Scared and hiding, the disciples come to believe that Jesus is alive. Overjoyed, some of the disciples received the Holy Spirit at this time as Jesus breathed on them.

Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan once taught about different approaches to God's forgiveness. The Pharisees took God's love for granted without asking for forgiveness. Judas thought his sin was stronger than God's forgiveness. Peter repented and was renewed through the Lord's forgiveness. How do I see and access God's forgiveness?

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Tues, Nov 4: John 18-19

What a hard reading to comment upon - Jesus' arrest by Jewish leaders, quick trial before Pilate, and the crucifixion.

Toward the end of his contact with Pilate, Jesus said, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore, the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." (19:11)

Who does He mean, the Jewish leaders? Judas, son of Simon? Or even the lawyers who used the Old Testament law against Jesus? I've heard people blame the Jews for Jesus' death, but never heard the blame go to lawyers.

Chuck Smith's commentary for Chapter 19 starts: "Pilate was caught in a political vise and had to lay aside his own principles. He knew that Jesus was innocent, and he tried to avoid making a decision he knew was wrong (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 27 4; Luke 23:41). A historian of that time recorded that Pilate ultimately committed suicide (Matthew 16:25). The purpose of scourging was to make prisoners confess their crimes (Acts 22:24)." Chuck Smith

Praying the NEWS: Changes in Sudan

Mon, Nov 3: John 14:22-17:26

Guest commentator, Katie (from her blog, Nov 1)

John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5 NKJV).

Other versions of this text use the word remain instead of abide. I like the NKJV because the word abide just seems like a deeper word. So, I looked abide up in the Strongs Complete Dictionary of Bible Words and found some Hebrew words for it. Here are the results of my findings:

Meno: to stay, remain.

Parameno: to be permanent, persevere.

Prosmeno: to remain: to adhere to.

As Christians we have the promise of the Holy Spirit living in us. "You, however are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" (Romans 8:9 NIV).

The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ is the Spirit that abides in us....permanantly. He remains there, and so we must adhere to, and remain in Him...permanantly. (This is easier said than done when we have a mind and soul that is constantly pulling us in another direction.) That's why we have to focus and let His Spirit have control of our life... not our mind, not our fleshly desires, not our emotions. So, when life is overwhelming and it seems that nothing positive is happening and there is no light at the end ot the tunnel....search for the Light that shines from within. Focus on Him.

For the Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

Child of God, do you have any strongholds stealing your joy?
Are you in a downward spiral that you can't seem to break free from?

Focus on the Spirit that lives in you...Abide in Him! It's a daily and sometimes a momentary thing that you have to do but if you keep your focus there, He will take care of the rest.

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105)

The lamp is to our feet and a light to our path....at our feet. It only shines far enough for us to see where we are going...as far as we need to see to get to the next step. So we should focus on getting to the next step and trust God to get us to the destination...one step at a time. He knows the way.

"Don't worry about tomorrow. Today has enough trouble of its own" (Matt 6:34).

"Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28)

"Praise be to the Lord God our Savior who daily bears our burdens!" (Ps. 68:19).

:: Katie

Sun, Nov 2: John 12-14:21

Commentary for today is "Bible Explained - An Interactive Commentary" for John 12, 13, and 14

Get up and follow:
"The primary thing that we're dealing with is that God is doing something. It's not just that He exists, it's that He's doing something. That's why we say we believe in the Holy Spirit, because we believe He is doing something. If God is doing something, the most important thing I can do is look for it, watch for it, and respond to it. All this charging into the fray and "doing something for Jesus" is getting in the way. We are distracting people from what God is doing. I don't think I'm a quietist in any way, where I'm encouraging people to be spectators. In fact, it's very energizing when you start responding to it. It's also very freeing because you're not from anxiety, you're working from grace."
A Conversation with Eugene Peterson, 1995

NEXT WEEK'S READINGS: Sun, Nov 2: John 12-14:21 Mon, Nov 3: John 14:22-17:26 Tue, Nov 4: John 18-19 Wed, Nov 5: John 20-21 + Lamentations 1 Thu, Nov 6: Lamentations 2-5 Fri, Nov 7: Ezekiel 1-4 Sat, Nov 8: Ezekiel 5-8

In memory of youth pastor Mike Yarconelli (1942-2003), of Youth Specialties, with a couple of his articles:

On John 21: Where's Jesus? plus Disciple Abuse

Sat Nov 1: John 10-11

Today's reading covers "The Shepherd and His Flock", "The Unbelief of the Jews", "The Death of Lazarus", "Jesus Comforts the Sisters", "Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead", and "The Plot to Kill Jesus".

One thing I wonder about in this reading is John's use of the word "Jews" as separate from individual Jewish people, the crowd, the Pharisees, and the Sadduces. Notes in my Bible always refer back to John 1:19, indicating these were the Jews of Jerusalem.

The Good News Bible defines "Jews" as
"Jewish authorities ... when the context implies that a limited group of leaders are in view. 'Jewish authorities' refers primarily to the priestly leaders of Judaism during Jesus' lifetime, when Rome held effective political control."

Jesus' miracles, teachings, and self-awareness divided people. In yesterday's reading it was the Pharasees divided over the source of Jesus' ability to restore sight to a man, blind from birth. In today's reading, the "Jews" say, "Just TELL us if you are the Christ!" but want to stone him to death for his answer. When they hear about Lazareth, the chief priests and Pharisees realize the ultimate danger to their status (11:47-48) and put out a contract to arrest Jesus. These seem to be the ones John means when he says "Jew", without meaning a whole nation or people.

Controversies still follow the mention of Jesus. Publicity for the current film The Gospel of John is mostly positive, but publicity for Mel Gibson's upcoming movie The Passion has used words like "Jew hating" in its
promos. Actually, Mr. Gibson is agreeing with the terminology John used throughout his Gospel about the Jews, separating the chief priests and Pharisees from the people of Israel.

Clarkes' Commentary on Chapters 10 and 11.