November 16 Proverbs 27:23-27; 28:1-6 Hebrews 13 Ezekiel 30; 31
Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
- What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
- Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
- What should you do about that truth?
November 16 Proverbs 27:23-27; 28:1-6 Hebrews 13 Ezekiel 30; 31
Proverbs 27:23-27; 28:1-6
The wisdom that comes from a healthy relationship with God points us toward the good stewardship of our resources. This includes careful consideration and planning. Leaders who use these principles bring stability to their organizations and people. God our Creator has made it possible for us to earn money. We have resources of time, energy, and money. They are temporary. Our spirit will live forever. We are stewards of the resources God has provided. Healthy decisions make good use of those resources. Diligence, hard work, and healthy decisions show your eternal perspective and appreciation for all that God has provided you.
Hebrews 13
Inspired by the example of Jesus we can show love to others. Thankful for God’s forgiveness we can now live with a fresh commitment. This includes integrity and abandoning a “me-first” ethic in marriage and financial management. We can now draw spiritual strength from the grace of God (instead of by the measure of our past actions). Through Jesus, our God has made a way for us to be cleansed, forgiven, and brought into new spiritual life. In Hebrews 13:5 & Deuteronomy 31:6 we see that God has promised to never abandon us. Here we find confident hope in God our provider, a present help in times of need. For this reason, we should not fear what people may do to us. We are now able to live a lifestyle of love with courageous generosity to all people. We must be on the lookout for opportunities to serve someone we have just met, someone in need, someone in prison, and anyone who is being mistreated. Let us live a life focused on Jesus. May God give us the ability to live in this way.
Ezekiel 30; 31
God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel things that must have seemed impossible at the time. As a sign to all who would read it, God gave Ezekiel prophetic visions (which he wrote and distributed). These visions predicted specific events in the history of the nations of Babylon, Egypt, and Israel. Egypt’s defiant pride and evil power would be punished by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (whom God would enable). As these prophecies were fulfilled the relevant written history served as further proof of Yahweh God’s sovereign control of human history. The redemptive narrative of God’s story can be seen in the big picture.