Zechariah 8:1-23 + Revelation 16:1-21 + Psalm 144:1-15 + Proverbs 30:29-31
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Merry Christmas! Busy week with Christmas – full posts will be back on December 26th.
Old Testament – Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Zechariah titled “Oracles Concerning Hypocritical Fasting” is at this link.
New Testament – Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Revelation chapter 16 titled “The Bowl Judgments” is at this link. Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith’s “The Seven Bowl Judgments” and “The Plagues of the Seven Bowls:
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.
Psalms – Psalm 144 verses 3 & 4 are fairly well known: “O LORD, what are mortals that you should notice us, mere humans that you should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow.” If our days are like a passing shadow, how then should we be spending our days? What types of things should we be investing our time & money into? What should we be investing our very hearts and minds into? Are you wisely spending your passing days in godly ways?
Merry Christmas! – I will close out this Christmas day blog entry with a quick reflection here on A Charlie Brown Christmas. 🙂
I think sometimes many of us wonder the same things that Charlie Brown did during this time of year. “What is the meaning of Christmas?” Well, I’ll leave you will Linus’ wonderful answer to Charlie and the Peanuts gang straight from Luke 2:8-14 (King James Version):
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Video: Here’s Linus in Charlie Brown’s Christmas reciting the verses from Luke per above:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eff0cqYefYY
Do you know the true meaning of Christmas? Click here to meet CHRISTmas!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.” Psalm 144:3-4 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that the Lord cares for you and thinks about you. Pray in thanksgiving that the Father sent his son, Jesus, to dwell with us as a baby in a manger.
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 Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
======= Jenny:
Wow! I definately dont wanna be here during the Great Trib…i know i wont. I have pics of the Valley of Armageddon (Megeddo) from my Israel trip i will send…seeing that valley in real life…knowing the future events that will occur there….”wow” doesnt suffice!
Does the Charlie Brown Christmas still come on? do they edit out that part of it yet? I’d be shocked to see that on tv in this evil day and age. sad sad sad :(((
Yes, i agree, life is short and everything here will pass away except for the things of the Lord. lets remember that in all we do, our decisions in day to day life, our time, money, investments. Lets keep our eyes on the prize!! =)
I love the Ps. He refers to God as his rock, fortress, deliverer, stronghold, shield, refuge. God is all this and more!!! The further down the narrow road i go, the more i see God as each and every one of these to me. Its so awesome, how God is so personal to us. Ppl may think He is far…well He is for those that dont know Him (but He’s a prayer away), but once you have Him in life, indwelling you…He is a personal, loving God that knows us so intimately. A love like no other!!!
Thank u Lord!!!
Jenny
======= David:
Merry Christmas!!
It is unfortunate that we have reached this part of Revelations on Christmas Day. What struck me most is that even though they went through all these plagues the people did not repent. It struck me but did not surprise me because people have very fragile minds and generally not very smart. We are capable of being more intuitive but we generally choose not to be. There is a kind of sick pleasure that one gets when one is suffering. People who are depressed are comfortable feeling bad and if they feel good they feel uncomfortable. They do not do or want to do anything to get out of that state.
Any way, today is a day to remember the gift of Jesus and to be exhilarated about it! In fact everyday should remind us of his gift. We live because of Jesus. There are so many levels to this statement that I don’t have the time to get into it now. We need Jesus all the time.
David
======= Mae:
Psalm 144:3-4 stood out for me: “O LORD, what are mortals that you should notice us, mere humans that you should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow.”
I really try the best I can to invest wisely into Gods ways. And I have to say that it really helps me to invest in my relationship with God. I emmidiatly know when I’m ‘off path’ so to speak. It not necerally means that I’m doing godless and sinfull things, but I kind of ‘fade away’ for a bit and then there’s moment that I think “God, where are you?”. But I realize that He’s always there, but I’m the one that turns away for a bit. I’m not going to say what I think other people should invest into, I just know for myself what I have to invest into, to feel that I’m living 100%. I need to invest in my relationship with God, that’s what keeps me going. Just like investing in my relationship with my husband and my son. It’s a 24/7 ‘job’. Got to be working on it all the time to make it work. But I get soooooooooooo much in return …
Mae
======= Betty:
Merry Christmas!
Enjoy the quality time with your family and friends.
Remember the real reason for the season, the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
God Bless and Merry Christmas!
Betty
======= Bob:
Great blog and merry christmas!!! Charlie Brown is such a great show! I remember watching it when I was young !!!
God bless!
Bob
======= Lily:
Merry Christmas Mike, to your family and to all. Thank you. This is my first year and already I am looking for next year.
Although it is hard to read Revelations, especially on Christmas Day, today is a reminder of God reaching us with His peace, love, mercy and compassion, waiting for us to embrace Him.
Luke 2: 13
“Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests”.
Lily
======= Frederick:
Thank you Mike! I love the Charlie Brown’s Christmas cartoon!
Frederick
======= Rob:
Hi Mike and Ramona, This is my 3rd year reading the bible through in a year and my first year with your blog. The first 2 years I got behind in the reading by more than a month and had to rush to catch up. With the blog I never got behind by more than a day. It has really added a great deal to the experience for me. I love both of your perspectives as well as the art and all the links for extra info. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and God Bless you both! sincerely,
Rob
======== Alan:
Amen David, Merry Christmas to all.Zech. 8:23 really touched me this morning, “Let us go with you…Amen
Alan
======= Joyce:
Merry Christmas Mike and everyone!
It’s a blessing ever since I came across this One Year Bible Blog couple of years ago.
Every morning coming to this blog is an important accountability and encouragement for me to seek God and His Word first in my day.
Thank you Mike! Thank you all of you who travel along God’s Word here!
Mike,
may our Heavenly Father continue to bless you with spiritual wisdom and understanding,
may He continue to encourage you as you serve in this blog,
may He use this blog to bring His Truth to the far corners of the earth! amen.
Psalm 144:15 NASB
How blessed are the people who are so situated;
How blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
God bless!
Joyce
======= Jill:
LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.” Psalm 144:3-4 (NIV)
Oh do I wonder how God could love us unconditionally when we often turn away from him. And He is always there for us. Thank God for the gift
Of life
I want to start every day with a spirit of gratitude for all God has given me. Merry Christmas to all!
Jill
======= Susan:
Thank you FATHER for your amazing love. May your WORD be praised and fill us with
hope and faith to witness boldly for your glory. Lord Jesus come! Merry Christmas !
Susan
======= Dee:
The emphasis in Zechariah is, “Do Not Fear.”
God will prosperity your work..2nd promise..
God will turn fasting into feasting..3rd promise
Jesus came to bring joy not sorrow.
V8 love it..they will be my people and I their God.
God’s judgements do not change the heart of men. You would think sinners would connect the dots..but not..they grow harder. Christ is coming soon. Watch eagerly walk carefully.
Accept God’s discipline by faith! Happy are those whose God is the Lord!
4 things that go comely: A lion, a he goat, a greyhound and a king. Amen
Dee
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