November 7

Today's Reading

Ezekiel. What does it do to you when you read God's promise to someday restore the fortunes of Sodom? Do you remember how wicked that place was? On the other hand, have you considered how great your sin is before God? I have looked in that mirror and it's pretty ugly. So I rejoice that God will one day restore Sodom's fortunes. Because, if Sodom has no hope, neither do I!

Hebrews. "If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it." Remember what Jesus said at The Supper: "This cup is a new covenant in My blood." What does that new covenant change? "10 But this is the new covenant I will make
with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds,
and I will write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people." The Law is no longer speaking to us from the outside in; it is speaking from within our own hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Psalms. In Hebrews, we have been talking about how Israel missed their destiny and were doomed to die in the wilderness. Here's the way the Psalmist put it: "24 The people refused to enter the pleasant land,
for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them.
25 Instead, they grumbled in their tents
and refused to obey the Lord.
26 Therefore, he solemnly swore
that he would kill them in the wilderness..." Certainly you and I must be careful to not be held back by our own unbelief. I have known people who clearly professed Christ, but who lived lives of bitterness and complaining. I believe that they went to heaven, but they surely lived below their privileges here on earth.

Proverbs today contains three very unique verses. Which one speaks the most to you?

What else is God saying to you?

November 6

Today's Reading

Ezekiel was reminded that even three very righteous men couldn't stop the judgment coming upon Jerusalem. We read today about just how detestable Jerusalem's sins were to the Bridegroom who loved her. By the way, the New Testament picks up this imagery with Christ identified as the Bridegroom. Now, though, the bride is more clearly seen as those who have received a new heart through the cleansing of Christ's blood and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews. We have a Priest. His name is Jesus! 1 Timothy 2 told us that "there is one Mediator between God and man...Christ Jesus." How do we get to God? Through Jesus. Not through another person or through a saint. We come to God through Jesus because He paid the full price of our sins on the cross.

Psalms. This picture of Israel being saved through the water of the Red Sea reminds me of something one of our Dominican teams observed. They were there on an Easter Sunday and a number of the mission churches gathered at the main church for services and baptism. They baptized about 40 people that morning. When one lady was baptized, her body went rigid and our team was concerned she was having a seizure. A few of the mission pastors gathered around her and prayed for her; she was immediately okay. When a team member asked one of the leaders what had happened, he replied, "Whatever was in her couldn't stand whatever was in the water." In other words, they interpreted it (probably correctly) as demonic. They dealt with it and went on. She was delivered through the water. The one tormenting her was destroyed in the water. Sometimes the truth is simpler than big theological arguments.

Proverbs. Wounds and rebukes hurt. But they are a huge benefit to those who will learn from them. May God keep my heart open to correction.

What speaks to you today?

November 5

Today's Reading

Ezekiel saw a nation of false leaders, false preachers (prophets) and false security. I learned long ago how people would paint over the rusted parts of cars without fully removing the rust. It looked good -- until the rust ate back through. I don't want my life to be like that; do you?

Hebrews. I believe that Melchizedek was what we call a "Theophany" or a "Christophany." In other words, an appearance of God in human form in the Old Testament. We have seen several of those in our reading this year. He was "King of Salem", meaning "King of Peace" and Jesus was called "Prince of Peace." Salem was ancient Jerusalem. This passage shows the Melchizedek was greater than Abraham, but it also teaches us something very important about the oriental understanding of life. It says that Levi (the Patriarch of the priestly tribe in Israel and the great-grandson of Abraham) was "in" Abraham when he paid tithes so Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek. You and I can grow from this understanding when we realize that we were "in" Adam when he sinned in the garden. This doesn't mean that we were pre-existing, but that our life was wrapped up in him. When we become a Christian, we are now "in Christ Jesus." Our life is now wrapped up in Christ.

Psalms. God's love is so generous! If only we would respond by drawing near to Him. What we often do is take Him for granted. I know that I sometimes do!

Proverbs. I watched this recently. Someone's foolish actions caused resentment in the person's friends. Just like today's verse says!

What do you notice today?

November 4

Today's Reading

In Ezekiel today, God used a vision to transport the prophet back to Jerusalem. Ezekiel was in exile in Babylon. There, the Lord showed Ezekiel how sinful the attitudes of the people were. Then God promised a day would come when the exiles would return and God would change their hearts. That prophecy will ultimately be fulfilled with Christ's return. However, it was partially fulfilled in the day of Ezra and Nehemiah, which we have already read this year.

Hebrews today is one of the difficult New Testament passages to interpret. Is God saying that we can be "enlightened", then lose our salvation? Some interpret the passage that way, but they have a difficulty with it. The Christians who believe we can lose our salvation tend to believe we can get it back again by repenting and this passage seems to say the opposite. These difficult verses are one reason I believe that the letter was written to a group of believers who were in danger of missing their destiny. They would be like the generation of Israel who died in the wilderness. They weren't far from the Promised Land (the abundant life God promises), but they missed it because they wouldn't believe God and take the Land by faith.

Psalms today reviews a key part of Israel's history. How do you keep your family's history alive?

Proverbs. If it's good, it's from God. If it's bad, I messed it up. 

What speaks to you today?

November 3

Today's Reading


Ezekiel. It's easy to see results of God's judgment and say, "How can He call Himself a loving God? Look at what He did to all those innocent people." Perhaps we need to see what He sees, as happened to Ezekiel in chapter 8. Chapter 9 made me ask myself if I would be "marked" as someone who has wept over the sins of my people. What about you?

Hebrews. If the Son of God learned obedience through sufferings, how about you and me? We are tempted to think that there must be some other way to learn, but our trials are intended to bring the impurities (dross) of our lives to the surface. We can then confess those things a yield our life to God who loves us.

Psalms. "8 He always stands by his covenant—
the commitment he made to a thousand generations." Amen!

Proverbs. When we lie, there's some hatred at the root. Even if it's self-hatred.

What did you notice today?

November 2

Today's Reading



Ezekiel. God made it clear that Ezekiel had the role of Watchman for Israel. How do you think that assignment relates to you and me in our day? When people are rebelling against God, they don't necessarily like the truth. When they hear it, they tend to lash out in criticism of the truth-teller. That doesn't alleviate our responsibility to be watchmen for this generation, however. We never know how God might use use in this role; maybe we can be a part of turning a nation back to Him.

Hebrews. Entering God's rest. He's not talking about the grave and He's not discussing Sunday naps (even though I love mine). He's talking about that place in which we completely yield our entire life to Him and trust Him with it. No matter what happens to us, He is in charge. He will provide what we need. He loves us. We rest from trying to be in control. We rest from trying to please God in our own strength. "14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

Psalms. Oh, how God loves you and me. May we be pleasing to Him!

Proverbs. Or, "What goes around comes around."
What speaks to you today?

November 1

Today's Reading

Only two months to go, Climbing Companions! We are moving to the "downhill slide" of the holidays. I encourage you to do your best and carve out time in your schedule for the upcoming busy season.

Ezekiel begins today with a view into the heavenlies. Much of what Ezekiel saw is very mystical and difficult to interpret. Some of what happened, though, is quite practical. For instance, "8 But look, I have made you as obstinate and hard-hearted as they are. 9 I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock!" Sometimes God has to give a spiritual leader a hard head to be able to stand against a hard-headed church. I have seen it and am amazed at how God can use it.

Hebrews today includes what I believe is the core truth in the book. It takes us back to the way Israel hardened their hearts against God and had to die in the wilderness. Then it says, "13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still 'today,' so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God."

Psalms. "In the beginning, God..." We are His workmanship. This is His creation. He set it in order and He is in charge. It is overwhelming that He wants a relationship with us.

Proverbs. The slick words of the treacherous are ultimately found out. I sometimes pray for the truth to come out when I sense that someone is lying.

How do today's passages affect you?