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DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-24T00:16:42Z

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

1 Corinthians 3:1-23: The apostle Paul was concerned that the Corinthians were not living as those who are led by God’s Spirit because they continued to argue with one another. He reminds them that they are God’s temple and that they are holy because God’s Spirit lives within them.

Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16

Surely you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you!

Today's Reading

¹ As a matter of fact, my friends, I could not talk to you as I talk to people who have the Spirit; I had to talk to you as though you belonged to this world, as children in the Christian faith. ² I had to feed you milk, not solid food, because you were not ready for it. And even now you are not ready for it, ³ because you still live as the people of this world live. When there is jealousy among you and you quarrel with one another, doesn't this prove that you belong to this world, living by its standards? ⁴ When one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos”—aren't you acting like worldly people? ⁵ After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do: ⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow. ⁷ The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow. ⁸ There is no difference between the one who plants and the one who waters; God will reward each one according to the work each has done. ⁹ For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field. You are also God's building. ¹⁰ Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build. ¹¹ For God has already placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation, and no other foundation can be laid. ¹² Some will use gold or silver or precious stones in building on the foundation; others will use wood or grass or straw. ¹³ And the quality of each person's work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it. For on that Day fire will reveal everyone's work; the fire will test it and show its real quality. ¹⁴ If what was built on the foundation survives the fire, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ But if your work is burnt up, then you will lose it; but you yourself will be saved, as if you had escaped through the fire. ¹⁶ Surely you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you! ¹⁷ God will destroy anyone who destroys God's temple. For God's temple is holy, and you yourselves are his temple. ¹⁸ You should not fool yourself. If any of you think that you are wise by this world's standards, you should become a fool, in order to be really wise. ¹⁹ For what this world considers to be wisdom is nonsense in God's sight. As the scripture says, “God traps the wise in their cleverness”; ²⁰ and another scripture says, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are worthless.” ²¹ No one, then, should boast about what human beings can do. Actually everything belongs to you: ²² Paul, Apollos, and Peter; this world, life and death, the present and the future—all these are yours, ²³ and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Reflect

Paul refers to Jesus Christ as “the one and only foundation” (verse 11). In what ways do you build your faith on this foundation? What does being “God’s temple” mean to you? Does such an understanding impact the way you live?

Pray

Lord God, remind me that I am your temple and that your Holy Spirit lives in me. Teach me to live according to your will so that all I say and do gives glory to you. In your holy name I pray. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Church architects

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-23T00:02:15Z

Romans 14:1-23 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Romans 14:1-23: Some of the followers in Rome believed that it was wrong to eat meat, and others were saying that certain foods should be eaten on certain days. Paul says that there will be differences among God’s people, but that all of the believers need to be accepting of one another and not judge each other.

Today's Scripture: Romans 14:17

For God’s Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.

Today's Reading

1 Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions. 2 Some people's faith allows them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in the faith eats only vegetables. 3 The person who will eat anything is not to despise the one who doesn't; while the one who eats only vegetables is not to pass judgment on the one who will eat anything; for God has accepted that person. 4 Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed. 5 Some people think that a certain day is more important than other days, while others think that all days are the same. We each should firmly make up our own minds. 6 Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honor of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honor of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honor of the Lord, and they give thanks to God. 7 We do not live for ourselves only, and we do not die for ourselves only. 8 If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For Christ died and rose to life in order to be the Lord of the living and of the dead. 10 You then, who eat only vegetables—why do you pass judgment on others? And you who eat anything—why do you despise other believers? All of us will stand before God to be judged by him. 11 For the scripture says, “As surely as I am the living God, says the Lord, everyone will kneel before me,and everyone will confess that I am God.” 12 Every one of us, then, will have to give an account to God. 13 So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin. 14 My union with the Lord Jesus makes me certain that no food is of itself ritually unclean; but if you believe that some food is unclean, then it becomes unclean for you. 15 If you hurt others because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died! 16 Do not let what you regard as good get a bad name. 17 For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives. 18 And when you serve Christ in this way, you please God and are approved by others. 19 So then, we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another. 20 Do not, because of food, destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin. 21 The right thing to do is to keep from eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that will make other believers fall. 22 Keep what you believe about this matter, then, between yourself and God. Happy are those who do not feel guilty when they do something they judge is right! 23 But if they have doubts about what they eat, God condemns them when they eat it, because their action is not based on faith. And anything that is not based on faith is sin.

Reflect

Paul seeks to make the believers respect each other’s customs and to stop disagreements about food from causing division among them. Within your community of faith, are there times when conflicts occur over various customs and traditions that people hold dear? How are such conflicts resolved?

Pray

Lord God, help me not to be quick to judge others and teach me to treat with respect those whose opinions differ from mine. May the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives guide my every thought and action. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Communities of faith experiencing divisiveness

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-23T00:02:11Z

Romans 14:1-23 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Today's Scripture: Romans 14:17

For God’s Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.

Today's Reading

Reflect

Pray

Prayer Concern

Communities of faith experiencing divisiveness

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-21T23:19:22Z

Romans 13:1-14 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Romans 13:1-14: The apostle Paul encourages Christians to obey state authorities, and he reminds believers of their duties toward one another and that the day of salvation is near.

Today's Scripture: Romans 13:10

If you love others, you will never do them wrong; to love, then, is to obey the whole Law.

Today's Reading

¹ Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. ² Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself. ³ For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority? Then do what is good, and they will praise you, ⁴ because they are God's servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real. They are God's servants and carry out God's punishment on those who do evil. ⁵ For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God's punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. ⁶ That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties. ⁷ Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them all. ⁸ Be under obligation to no one—the only obligation you have is to love one another. Whoever does this has obeyed the Law. ⁹ The commandments, “Do not commit adultery; do not commit murder; do not steal; do not desire what belongs to someone else”—all these, and any others besides, are summed up in the one command, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” ¹⁰ If you love others, you will never do them wrong; to love, then, is to obey the whole Law. ¹¹ You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over, day is almost here. Let us stop doing the things that belong to the dark, and let us take up weapons for fighting in the light. ¹³ Let us conduct ourselves properly, as people who live in the light of day—no orgies or drunkenness, no immorality or indecency, no fighting or jealousy. ¹⁴ But take up the weapons of the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop paying attention to your sinful nature and satisfying its desires.

Reflect

Reread verses 1-7. What are your thoughts concerning these verses? Paul says that God’s people should obey earthly authorities because they are God’s servants. Are there times when civil disobedience is justified? What is your understanding of Paul’s words when he says that, when we love others, we are obeying the whole Law?

Pray

Lord God, your love for me is steadfast and sure. Guide my thoughts, words, and deeds this day so that I reflect your love to others and honor you. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Government officials

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-20T18:21:59Z

Romans 12:1-21 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Romans 12:1-21: The apostle Paul says that God’s people no longer need to offer dead animals or make any other sacrifice in order to please God. Rather they are to offer their whole selves in living service to God. Such service involves using the gifts each has received in accordance with God’s grace.

Today's Scripture: Romans 12:2

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.’

Today's Reading

¹ So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. ² Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. ³ And because of God's gracious gift to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you. ⁴ We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions. ⁵ In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body. ⁶ So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak God's message, we should do it according to the faith that we have; ⁷ if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do it generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do it cheerfully. ⁹ Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another. ¹¹ Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. ¹² Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. ¹³ Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers. ¹⁴ Ask God to bless those who persecute you—yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise. ¹⁷ If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. ¹⁸ Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. ¹⁹ Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” ²⁰ Instead, as the scripture says: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame.” ²¹ Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.

Reflect

The words in verse 1 are derived from the consecration and killing of animals in temple sacrifice. Paul now says that we are to “offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him.” What is your understanding of these words? In what ways can you offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God? Reread verses 9-21. How does Paul describe life in community for God’s people?

Pray

Lord God, I offer myself as a living sacrifice, dedicated to a life of service that is pleasing to you. Transform me inwardly so that I may know and do your will. Teach me to share the gifts you have given me for the sake of building up your Kingdom and being an instrument of your love. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Community organizers

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-19T21:05:35Z

Romans 8:18-39 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Romans 8:18-39: The apostle Paul says that all creation longs to be set free from slavery and decay and that our current suffering cannot compare to the glory that will one day be revealed. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, and we are assured that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

Today's Scripture: Romans 8:39b

There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Today's Reading

¹⁸ I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal his children. ²⁰ For creation was condemned to lose its purpose, not of its own will, but because God willed it to be so. Yet there was the hope ²¹ that creation itself would one day be set free from its slavery to decay and would share the glorious freedom of the children of God. ²² For we know that up to the present time all of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth. ²³ But it is not just creation alone which groans; we who have the Spirit as the first of God's gifts also groan within ourselves as we wait for God to make us his children and set our whole being free. ²⁴ For it was by hope that we were saved; but if we see what we hope for, then it is not really hope. For who of us hopes for something we see? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. ²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express. ²⁷ And God, who sees into our hearts, knows what the thought of the Spirit is; because the Spirit pleads with God on behalf of his people and in accordance with his will. ²⁸ We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose. ²⁹ Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many believers. ³⁰ And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them. ³¹ In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own Son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his Son—will he not also freely give us all things? ³³ Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! ³⁴ Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us! ³⁵ Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? ³⁶ As the scripture says, “For your sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered.” ³⁷ No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! ³⁸ For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, ³⁹ neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflect

What is the hope that Paul talks about in verses 18-25? Have you ever found it hard to pray? How does the Holy Spirit help in such times? Reread verses 31-39. What questions does Paul ask? How does he answer them? What verses do you find especially meaningful?

Pray

Lord God, you know my weaknesses and my inmost thoughts. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that pleads on my behalf when I find it hard to pray. With a humble heart I thank you for assuring me that, through Christ Jesus, I can never be separated from your love. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those who find it hard to pray

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-18T23:20:41Z

Romans 8:1-17 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Romans 8:1-17: The apostle Paul says that living according to the Spirit and in union with Christ Jesus sets us free from sin and death. Being controlled by human nature is in opposition to being controlled by what the Spirit wants.

Today's Scripture: Romans 8:1

There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.

Today's Reading

¹ There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death. ³ What the Law could not do, because human nature was weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending his own Son, who came with a nature like our sinful nature, to do away with sin. ⁴ God did this so that the righteous demands of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature. ⁵ Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants. ⁶ To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. ⁷ And so people become enemies of God when they are controlled by their human nature; for they do not obey God's law, and in fact they cannot obey it. ⁸ Those who obey their human nature cannot please God. ⁹ But you do not live as your human nature tells you to; instead, you live as the Spirit tells you to—if, in fact, God's Spirit lives in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. ¹⁰ But if Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you because you have been put right with God, even though your bodies are going to die because of sin. ¹¹ If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you. ¹² So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. ¹³ For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. ¹⁴ Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. ¹⁵ For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!” ¹⁶ God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. ¹⁷ Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory.

Reflect

Describe the conflict Paul writes about with regard to being controlled by human nature vs. being controlled by the Spirit. How and when have you experienced this type of conflict? What words of hope does Paul offer?

Pray

Thank you, God, for calling me to be your child. Lead me by the power of your Spirit so that my thoughts, words, and actions are pleasing to you. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those experiencing inner turmoil

DAILY BIBLE DEVTION

2012-05-17T23:43:30Z

Acts 1:1-26 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Acts 1:1-26: Jesus tells his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until God gives them the Holy Spirit, empowering them to share the Gospel everywhere. Then he is taken up to heaven. The apostles keep their eyes on the skies until two angels jolt them into action. The apostles choose a successor to Judas and meet and pray with other believers.

Today's Scripture: Acts 1:8

“But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Today's Reading

¹ Dear Theophilus: In my first book I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work ² until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before he was taken up, he gave instructions by the power of the Holy Spirit to the men he had chosen as his apostles. ³ For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God. ⁴ And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. ⁵ John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. ” ⁶ When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time give the Kingdom back to Israel?” ⁷ Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father's own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. ⁸ But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ” ⁹ After saying this, he was taken up to heaven as they watched him, and a cloud hid him from their sight. ¹⁰ They still had their eyes fixed on the sky as he went away, when two men dressed in white suddenly stood beside them ¹¹ and said, “Galileans, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to heaven.” ¹² Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is about half a mile away from the city. ¹³ They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying: Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas son of James. ¹⁴ They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers. ¹⁵ A few days later there was a meeting of the believers, about a hundred and twenty in all, and Peter stood up to speak. ¹⁶ “My friends,” he said, “the scripture had to come true in which the Holy Spirit, speaking through David, made a prediction about Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ Judas was a member of our group, for he had been chosen to have a part in our work. ” ( ¹⁸ With the money that Judas got for his evil act he bought a field, where he fell to his death; he burst open and all his insides spilled out. ¹⁹ All the people living in Jerusalem heard about it, and so in their own language they call that field Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”) ²⁰ “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘May his house become empty; may no one live in it.’ It is also written, “May someone else take his place of service.” ^21-22 So then, someone must join us as a witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He must be one of the men who were in our group during the whole time that the Lord Jesus traveled about with us, beginning from the time John preached his message of baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us to heaven. ” ²³ So they proposed two men: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas (also known as Justus), and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed, “Lord, you know the thoughts of everyone, so show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to serve as an apostle in the place of Judas, who left to go to the place where he belongs. ” ²⁶ Then they drew lots to choose between the two men, and the one chosen was Matthias, who was added to the group of eleven apostles.

Reflect

What instructions did Jesus give his disciples? Today’s reading reminds us that, even as we lift our eyes to the heavens in prayer, we are called to focus our activity here on earth in order to help bring about God’s peace and justice in our time. In what ways can you be a witness for Jesus and share the good news of God’s love wherever you are today?

Pray

Dear God, keep my eyes focused on what you would have me do today. Empower me to be a witness for you and share the good news of Jesus Christ wherever I am. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Airline pilots and flight attendants

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-16T22:20:13Z

Ezekiel 48:1-35 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Ezekiel 48:1-35: In this final chapter, Ezekiel is told how the land of Israel will be divided among Israel’s tribes. A special section in the center of the land is designated for the location of the Temple. The chapter concludes with a description of the twelve entrance gates to the city of Jerusalem.

Today's Scripture: Ezekiel 48:35b

The name of the city from now on will be “The-LORD-Is-Here!”

Today's Reading

^1-7 The northern boundary of the land runs eastward from the Mediterranean Sea to the city of Hethlon, to Hamath Pass, to Enon City, to the boundary between the kingdoms of Damascus and Hamath. Each tribe is to receive one section of land extending from the eastern boundary west to the Mediterranean Sea, in the following order from north to south: DanAsherNaphtaliManassehEphraimReubenJudah ⁸ The next section of the land is to be set apart for special use. It is to be 10 miles wide from north to south, and the same length from east to west as the sections given to the tribes. The Temple will be located within this section. ⁹ In the center of this section, a special area 10 miles by 8 miles is to be dedicated to the LORD. ¹⁰ The priests are to have a portion of this holy area. From east to west their portion is to measure 10 miles, and from north to south, 4 miles. The Temple of the LORD is to be located in the middle of this area. ¹¹ This holy area is to be for the priests who are descendants of Zadok. They served me faithfully and did not join the rest of the Israelites in doing wrong, as the other members of the tribe of Levi did. ¹² So they are to have a special area next to the area belonging to the Levites, and it will be the holiest of all. ¹³ The Levites also are to have a special area, south of that of the priests. It too is to be 10 miles from east to west, by 4 miles from north to south. ¹⁴ The area dedicated to the LORD is the best part of all the land, and none of it may be sold or exchanged or transferred to anyone else. It is holy and belongs to the LORD. ¹⁵ The part of the special area that is left, 10 miles by 2 miles, is not holy, but is for the general use of the people. They may live there and use the land. The city is to be in the center of it, ¹⁶ and it will be a square, 2,520 yards on each side. ¹⁷ All around the city on each side there will be an open space 140 yards across. ¹⁸ The land that is left after the city has been built in the area immediately to the south of the holy area—4 miles by 2 miles on the east and 4 miles by 2 miles on the west—is to be used as farmland by the people who live in the city. ¹⁹ Anyone who lives in the city, no matter which tribe he comes from, may farm that land. ²⁰ And so the total area in the center of the section which was set apart will be a square measuring 10 miles on each side, and it will include the area occupied by the city. ^21-22 To the east and to the west of this area which contains the Temple, the priests' land, the Levites' land, and the city, the remaining land belongs to the ruling prince. It reaches east to the eastern boundary and west to the Mediterranean Sea, and is bounded on the north by the section belonging to Judah and on the south by the one belonging to Benjamin. ^23-27 South of this special section, each of the remaining tribes is to receive one section of land running from the eastern boundary west to the Mediterranean Sea, in the following order from north to south: BenjaminSimeonIssacharZebulunGad ²⁸ On the south side of the portion given to the tribe of Gad, the boundary runs southwest from Tamar to the oasis of Kadesh, and then northwest along the Egyptian border to the Mediterranean Sea. ²⁹ The Sovereign LORD said, “That is the way the land is to be divided into sections for the tribes of Israel to possess.” ^30-34 There are twelve entrances to the city of Jerusalem. Each of the four walls measures 2,520 yards and has three gates in it, each named for one of the tribes. The gates in the north wall are named for Reuben, Judah, and Levi; those in the east wall, for Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan; those in the south wall, for Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun; and those in the west wall are named for Gad, Asher, and Naphtali. ³⁵ The total length of the wall on all four sides of the city is 10,080 yards. The name of the city from now on will be “The- LORD-Is-Here! ”

Reflect

Reread verses 30-35. Twelve was considered a complete number, and the twelve gates, three on each side of Jerusalem’s four walls, were to be named for the twelve tribes of Israel. What is the significance of the city’s new name (verse 35)? Today’s reading is the concluding chapter to the book of Ezekiel. From the excerpts you have read these past eleven days, are there visions or images that are particularly meaningful to you? If so, why?

Pray

Holy God, you are here with me always. Open my eyes to your presence around me and to an awareness of your glory. In your sacred name I pray, Amen.

Prayer Concern

Civil engineers

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-15T23:18:02Z

Ezekiel 47:1-23 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Ezekiel 47:1-23: Ezekiel sees a vision of a life-giving stream flowing from the Temple across the land and emptying into the Dead Sea. Then he is told about the four boundaries for the land that is to be divided among the twelve tribes.

Today's Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1a

The man led me back to the entrance of the Temple. Water was coming out from under the entrance and flowing east, the direction the Temple faced.

Today's Reading

¹ The man led me back to the entrance of the Temple. Water was coming out from under the entrance and flowing east, the direction the Temple faced. It was flowing down from under the south part of the Temple past the south side of the altar. ² The man then took me out of the Temple area by way of the north gate and led me around to the gate that faces east. A small stream of water was flowing out at the south side of the gate. ³ With his measuring rod the man measured 560 yards downstream to the east and told me to wade through the stream there. The water came only to my ankles. ⁴ Then he measured another 560 yards, and the water came up to my knees. Another 560 yards farther down, the water was up to my waist. ⁵ He measured 560 yards more, and there the stream was so deep I could not wade through it. It was too deep to cross except by swimming. ⁶ He said to me, “Mortal man, note all this carefully.” Then the man took me back to the riverbank, ⁷ and when I got there, I saw that there were very many trees on each bank. ⁸ He said to me, “This water flows through the land to the east and down into the Jordan Valley and to the Dead Sea. When it flows into the Dead Sea, it replaces the salt water of that sea with fresh water. ⁹ Wherever the stream flows, there will be all kinds of animals and fish. The stream will make the water of the Dead Sea fresh, and wherever it flows, it will bring life. ¹⁰ From the Springs of Engedi all the way to the Springs of Eneglaim, there will be fishermen on the shore of the sea, and they will spread out their nets there to dry. There will be as many different kinds of fish there as there are in the Mediterranean Sea. ¹¹ But the water in the marshes and ponds along the shore will not be made fresh. They will remain there as a source of salt. ¹² On each bank of the stream all kinds of trees will grow to provide food. Their leaves will never wither, and they will never stop bearing fruit. They will have fresh fruit every month, because they are watered by the stream that flows from the Temple. The trees will provide food, and their leaves will be used for healing people. ” ¹³ The Sovereign LORD said, “These are the boundaries of the land that is to be divided among the twelve tribes, with the tribe of Joseph receiving two sections. ¹⁴ I solemnly promised your ancestors that I would give them possession of this land; now divide it equally among you. ¹⁵ The northern boundary runs eastward from the Mediterranean Sea to the city of Hethlon, to Hamath Pass, to the city of Zedad, ¹⁶ to the cities of Berothah and Sibraim (they are located between the territory of the kingdom of Damascus and that of the kingdom of Hamath), and to the city of Ticon (located by the border of the district of Hauran). ¹⁷ So the northern boundary runs from the Mediterranean eastward to Enon City, with the border regions of Damascus and Hamath to the north of it. ¹⁸ The eastern boundary runs south from a point between the territory of Damascus and that of Hauran, with the Jordan River forming the boundary between the land of Israel on the west and Gilead on the east, as far as Tamar on the Dead Sea. ¹⁹ The southern boundary runs southwest from Tamar to the oasis of Kadesh Meribah and then northwest along the Egyptian border to the Mediterranean Sea. ²⁰ The western boundary is formed by the Mediterranean and runs north to a point west of Hamath Pass. ²¹ Divide this land among your tribes; ²² it is to be your permanent possession. The foreigners who are living among you and who have had children born here are also to receive their share of the land when you divide it. They are to be treated like full Israelite citizens and are to draw lots for shares of the land along with the tribes of Israel. ²³ All foreign residents will receive their share with the people of the tribe among whom they are living. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken. ”

Reflect

The land that had been defiled (see 36:16-21 from the reading on May 11) is now restored and cleansed. The stream that flows from the Temple may be a reference to the LORD as the source of life and fertility. Reread verses 6b-12. How do you envision what is described here? Why is the stream flowing from the Temple a hopeful image? Besides the people who belong to the twelve tribes, who else is to receive a share of the land (verses 21-23)? Does this surprise you? Why or why not?

Pray

Lord God, reading and meditating on your Word is like receiving life-giving water, and I am restored and refreshed. You are my source of life and renewal. Daily will I praise you. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Immigrants

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-15T00:03:19Z

Ezekiel 43:1-27 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Ezekiel 43:1-27: Today’s reading is from a section describing Ezekiel’s final vision about the restored Temple in Jerusalem. He sees the LORD’s glory return to the Temple.

Today's Scripture: Ezekiel 43:5

The LORD’s spirit lifted me up and took me into the inner courtyard, where I saw that the Temple was filled with the glory of the LORD.

Today's Reading

¹ The man took me to the gate that faces east, ² and there I saw coming from the east the dazzling light of the presence of the God of Israel. God's voice sounded like the roar of the sea, and the earth shone with the dazzling light. ³ This vision was like the one I had seen when God came to destroy Jerusalem, and the one I saw by the Chebar River. Then I threw myself face downward on the ground. ⁴ The dazzling light passed through the east gate and went into the Temple. ⁵ The LORD's spirit lifted me up and took me into the inner courtyard, where I saw that the Temple was filled with the glory of the LORD. ⁶ The man stood beside me there, and I heard the LORD speak to me out of the Temple: ⁷ “Mortal man, here is my throne. I will live here among the people of Israel and rule them forever. Neither the people of Israel nor their kings will ever again disgrace my holy name by worshiping other gods or by burying the corpses of their dead kings. ⁸ The kings built the doorsills and doorposts of their palace right against the doorsills and doorposts of my Temple, so that there was only a wall between us. They disgraced my holy name by all the disgusting things they did, and so in my anger I destroyed them. ⁹ Now they must stop worshiping other gods and remove the corpses of their kings. If they do, I will live among them forever. ” ¹⁰ And the LORD continued, “Mortal man, tell the people of Israel about the Temple, and let them study its plan. Make them ashamed of their sinful actions. ¹¹ Then if they are ashamed of what they have done, explain the plan of the Temple to them: its design, its entrances and exits, its shape, the arrangement of everything, and all its rules and regulations. Write all this down for them so that they can see how everything is arranged and can carry out all the rules. ¹² This is the law of the Temple: All the area surrounding it on the top of the mountain is sacred and holy. ” ¹³ These are the measurements of the altar, using the same unit of measure as in measuring the Temple. All around the base of the altar there was a gutter 20 inches deep and 20 inches wide, with a rim at the outside edge 10 inches high. ¹⁴ The lowest section of the altar, from the top of the base, was 4 feet high. The next section was set back from the edge 20 inches all around, and was 7 feet high. The section after that was also set back from the edge 20 inches all around. ¹⁵ This top section, on which the sacrifices were burned, was also 7 feet high. The projections on the four corners were higher than the rest of the top. ¹⁶ The top of the altar was a square, 20 feet on each side. ¹⁷ The middle section was also a square, 24 feet on each side, with a rim at the outside edge 10 inches high. (The gutter was 20 inches wide.) The steps going up the altar were on the east side. ¹⁸ The Sovereign LORD said to me, “Mortal man, listen to what I tell you. When the altar is built, you are to dedicate it by burning sacrifices on it and by sprinkling on it the blood of the animals that were sacrificed. ¹⁹ Those priests belonging to the tribe of Levi who are descended from Zadok are the only ones who are to come into my presence to serve me. I, the Sovereign LORD, command this. You will give them a young bull to offer as a sacrifice for sin. ²⁰ You are to take some of its blood and put it on the projections on the top corners of the altar, on the corners of the middle section of the altar, and all around its edges. In this way you will purify the altar and consecrate it. ²¹ You are to take the bull that is offered as a sacrifice for sin and burn it at the specified place outside the Temple area. ²² The next day you are to take a male goat without any defects and offer it as a sacrifice for sin. Purify the altar with its blood the same way you did with the bull. ²³ When you have finished doing that, take a young bull and a young ram, both of them without any defects, ²⁴ and bring them to me. The priests will sprinkle salt on them and burn them as an offering to me. ²⁵ Each day for seven days you are to offer a goat, a bull, and a ram as sacrifices for sin. All of them must be without any defects. ²⁶ For seven days the priests are to consecrate the altar and make it ready for use. ²⁷ When the week is over, the priests are to begin offering on the altar the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings of the people. Then I will be pleased with all of you. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken. ”

Reflect

The return of the LORD’s presence reverses the departure of the LORD’s glory brought about by Israel’s priests bringing unclean things into the Temple (see Ezekiel 8—11). What instructions does Ezekiel receive from the LORD? The return of the LORD’s glory meant that the land and the Temple were now ritually clean and would stay that way if the priests and people obeyed God. How was the altar to be consecrated (verses 18-27)? Within your community of faith, are there times when consecration takes place?

Pray

Consecrate me, O Lord, to your will. I present my life to you as a living sacrifice for service in your holy name. May all I do and say be pleasing to you, O Lord, and glorify you. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those preparing for ordained ministry

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-13T00:05:21Z

Ezekiel 37:1-28 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Ezekiel 37:1-28: The Israelites living in exile were feeling as if their hopes had dried up; but like an army of dry bones that rose from death, the people will stand up and return home. God promises that kingdoms of Judah and Israel will once again be united.

Today's Scripture: Ezekiel 37:4

He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.”

Today's Reading

¹ I felt the powerful presence of the LORD, and his spirit took me and set me down in a valley where the ground was covered with bones. ² He led me all around the valley, and I could see that there were very many bones and that they were very dry. ³ He said to me, “Mortal man, can these bones come back to life?” I replied, “Sovereign LORD, only you can answer that! ” ⁴ He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the LORD. ⁵ Tell them that I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying to them: I am going to put breath into you and bring you back to life. ⁶ I will give you sinews and muscles, and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you and bring you back to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD. ” ⁷ So I prophesied as I had been told. While I was speaking, I heard a rattling noise, and the bones began to join together. ⁸ While I watched, the bones were covered with sinews and muscles, and then with skin. But there was no breath in the bodies. ⁹ God said to me, “Mortal man, prophesy to the wind. Tell the wind that the Sovereign LORD commands it to come from every direction, to breathe into these dead bodies, and to bring them back to life. ” ¹⁰ So I prophesied as I had been told. Breath entered the bodies, and they came to life and stood up. There were enough of them to form an army. ¹¹ God said to me, “Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future. ¹² So prophesy to my people Israel and tell them that I, the Sovereign LORD, am going to open their graves. I am going to take them out and bring them back to the land of Israel. ¹³ When I open the graves where my people are buried and bring them out, they will know that I am the LORD. ¹⁴ I will put my breath in them, bring them back to life, and let them live in their own land. Then they will know that I am the LORD. I have promised that I would do this—and I will. I, the LORD, have spoken. ” ¹⁵ The LORD spoke to me again. ¹⁶ “Mortal man,” he said, “take a wooden stick and write on it the words, “The kingdom of Judah.” Then take another stick and write on it the words, “The kingdom of Israel.” ¹⁷ Then hold the two sticks end to end in your hand so that they look like one stick. ¹⁸ When your people ask you to tell them what this means, ¹⁹ tell them that I, the Sovereign LORD, am going to take the stick representing Israel and put it with the one that represents Judah. Out of the two I will make one stick and hold it in my hand. ²⁰ Hold in your hand the two sticks and let the people see them. ²¹ Then tell them that I, the Sovereign LORD, am going to take all my people out of the nations where they have gone, gather them together, and bring them back to their own land. ²² I will unite them into one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. They will have one king to rule over them, and they will no longer be divided into two nations or split into two kingdoms. ²³ They will not defile themselves with disgusting idols any more or corrupt themselves with sin. I will free them from all the ways in which they sin and betray me. I will purify them; they will be my people, and I will be their God. ²⁴ A king like my servant David will be their king. They will all be united under one ruler and will obey my laws faithfully. ²⁵ They will live on the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived. They will live there forever, and so will their children and all their descendants. A king like my servant David will rule them forever. ²⁶ I will make a covenant with them that guarantees their security forever. I will establish them and increase their population, and will see to it that my Temple stands forever in their land. ²⁷ I will live there with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. ²⁸ When I place my Temple there to be among them forever, then the nations will know that I, the LORD, have chosen Israel to be my own people. ”

Reflect

The valley of dry bones is depicted as a battlefield representing the land after the Babylonian invasion. What hopeful message is given in verses 1-14? About three centuries before the time of Ezekiel, the tribes of Israel divided into two kingdoms; the northern kingdom (Israel) was defeated by Assyria, and the southern kingdom (Judah) was defeated by the Babylonians. What does God promise once the two kingdoms are united (verses 20-28)?

Pray

Sovereign God, unite the hearts, minds, and will of all your people in loving service to you. I thank you for your life-giving breath and for the hope of new life you offer me each day. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Countries experiencing political turmoil

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-11T23:40:46Z

Ezekiel 36:16-38 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Ezekiel 36:16-38: Israel’s sins caused God’s holy name to be disgraced which led to Israel’s enemies to believe that their God was not powerful enough to save them. For the sake of his name, God promises to cleanse Israel of its sins and give the people his spirit.

Today's Scripture: Ezekiel 36:27

I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you.

Today's Reading

¹⁶ The LORD spoke to me. ¹⁷ “Mortal man,” he said, “when the Israelites were living in their land, they defiled it by the way they lived and acted. I regarded their behavior as being as ritually unclean as a woman is during her monthly period. ¹⁸ I let them feel the force of my anger because of the murders they had committed in the land and because of the idols by which they had defiled it. ¹⁹ I condemned them for the way they lived and acted, and I scattered them through foreign countries. ²⁰ Wherever they went, they brought disgrace on my holy name, because people would say, ‘These are the people of the LORD, but they had to leave his land. ’ ²¹ That made me concerned for my holy name, since the Israelites brought disgrace on it everywhere they went. ²² Now then, give the Israelites the message that I, the Sovereign LORD, have for them: What I am going to do is not for the sake of you Israelites, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have disgraced in every country where you have gone. ²³ When I demonstrate to the nations the holiness of my great name—the name you disgraced among them—then they will know that I am the LORD. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken. I will use you to show the nations that I am holy. ²⁴ I will take you from every nation and country and bring you back to your own land. ²⁵ I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean from all your idols and everything else that has defiled you. ²⁶ I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart. ²⁷ I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you. ²⁸ Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors. You will be my people, and I will be your God. ²⁹ I will save you from everything that defiles you. I will command the grain to be plentiful, so that you will not have any more famines. ³⁰ I will increase the yield of your fruit trees and your fields, so that there will be no more famines to disgrace you among the nations. ³¹ You will remember your evil conduct and the wrongs that you committed, and you will be disgusted with yourselves because of your sins and your iniquities. ³² Israel, I want you to know that I am not doing all this for your sake. I want you to feel the shame and disgrace of what you are doing. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken. ” ³³ The Sovereign LORD says, “When I make you clean from all your sins, I will let you live in your cities again and let you rebuild the ruins. ³⁴ Everyone who used to walk by your fields saw how overgrown and wild they were, but I will let you farm them again. ³⁵ Everyone will talk about how this land, which was once a wilderness, has become like the Garden of Eden, and how the cities which were torn down, looted, and left in ruins, are now inhabited and fortified. ³⁶ Then the neighboring nations that have survived will know that I, the LORD, rebuild ruined cities and replant waste fields. I, the LORD, have promised that I would do this—and I will. ” ³⁷ The Sovereign LORD says, “I will once again let the Israelites ask me for help, and I will let them increase in numbers like a flock of sheep. ³⁸ The cities that are now in ruins will then be as full of people as Jerusalem was once full of the sheep which were offered as sacrifices at a festival. Then they will know that I am the LORD. ”

Reflect

Israel’s sins included murder, injustice and worshiping idols. Such sins defiled the land and made it ritually unclean, and God’s holy name was disgraced. How did God punish the people for these sins? What promises does God make concerning restoration? What does God want the people to be reminded of (verses 31, 32)? In what ways have you experienced God’s cleansing?

Pray

Lord God, create in me a clean heart and cleanse me of all my sin. Give me an obedient heart and teach me to follow your laws and keep your commands. May all I do and say bring honor to your holy name. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit and for your everlasting love. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those whose hearts are hardened

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-11T23:40:43Z

Ezekiel 36:16-38 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Today's Scripture: Ezekiel 36:27

I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you.

Today's Reading

Reflect

Pray

Prayer Concern

Those whose hearts are hardened

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-11T23:40:41Z

Ezekiel 36:16-38 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Today's Scripture: Ezekiel 36:27

I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you.

Today's Reading

Reflect

Pray

Prayer Concern

Those whose hearts are hardened

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

2012-05-11T23:36:56Z

Ezekiel 36:16-38 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Today's Scripture: Ezekiel 36:27

I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you.

Today's Reading

Reflect

Pray

Prayer Concern

Those whose hearts are hardened