Isaiah 10:1-11:16 ~ 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 ~ Psalm 56:1-13 ~ Proverbs 23:6-8
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Old Testament - Isaiah chapter 11 in today's readings is an incredible Messianic chapter of the Old Testament!  Check out a webpage outlining the Messianic prophecies from Isaiah chapter 11 and then their fulfillment in the New Testament at this link .  The life and character of Jesus is so clear in chapter 1 verses 1 through 5 today: "Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot--yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will never judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay. He will defend the poor and the exploited. He will rule against the wicked and destroy them with the breath of his mouth. He will be clothed with fairness and truth."  Does this sound like anyone you personally know?  I pray so.

Then, verses 6 through 9 are such a beautiful reflection on the peace and safety of the coming Messianic age when Jesus returns: "In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard and the goat will be at peace. Calves and yearlings will be safe among lions, and a little child will lead them all. The cattle will graze among bears. Cubs and calves will lie down together. And lions will eat grass as the livestock do. Babies will crawl safely among poisonous snakes. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes and pull it out unharmed. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain. And as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD."  Can you imagine all of this?  Can you imagine all of this ever taking place, apart from Jesus coming into our world?  Do you look forward to experiencing the day of the lion and the lamb living together in peace!  (Or as I heard a pastor quip once, the dog and the cat eating out of the same bowl! :)

New Testament - Paul's words in Second Corinthians chapter 12 verses 20 and 21 were written for the church in Corinth.  But, imagine if you will that these words were written to you and me today... "For I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won't like what I find, and then you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, and disorderly behavior. Yes, I am afraid that when I come, God will humble me again because of you. And I will have to grieve because many of you who sinned earlier have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure."  What would Paul find if he came to visit our lives today?  Would he find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, or disorderly behavior?  Impurity?  Sexual immorality?  Eagerness for lustful pleasure?  Or - instead, would Paul find peace, joy, love, giving, and purity in our lives?  Would we grieve Paul or make him joyful?  Better yet, let us reflect upon what Jesus would find in our lives if He came back today?  Would our lives grieve Jesus in any way?

Bible.org's commentary on today and tomorrow's readings in Second Corinthians titled "Paul's Closing Argument, Appeal, and Blessing" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 56 verse 10 makes a One Year Bible blogger quite happy :) "O God, I praise your word. Yes, LORD, I praise your word."  Does this verse make you happy?  Do you praise God for the gift of the Bible?  Do you praise God's very Word, the Bible?

Proverbs - Today's Proverbs 23 verses 6 through 8 teach us: "Don't eat with people who are stingy; don't desire their delicacies. "Eat and drink," they say, but they don't mean it. They are always thinking about how much it costs. You will vomit up the delicious food they serve, and you will have to take back your words of appreciation for their "kindness."" This is a great teaching on not eating with people who are stingy.  I hope in turn we can reflect upon whether or not we ourselves are stingy?  If so, God is instructing people not to eat with us!  :)

Worship God: Today's readings in Isaiah 11 reminded me of Brandon Heath's song "Your Love:"

Do you need God's Love? Click here for Love!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" Psalm 56:4 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you praise God for his Word, the Bible. Pray that you trust God. Pray that you are not afraid of mortal men, because of your saving and eternal relationship with Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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