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You may have seen this already, but I think it is pretty cool.  Josh got his picture taken with former Lakers coach Mike Brown on Thursday.  For a basketball nut like Josh, that was a big deal.  Mike Brown was very gracious.

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

I have frequently heard the phrase “I’m only human” as an excuse for sin.  I can even think of several popular songs in the past few decades that make this claim.  We have convinced ourselves that we must live according to a low standard of righteousness because, after all, we are only human.  But for those who have by God’s grace become brand new creations in Jesus Christ, that statement is false.  We now have a supernatural power at work within us that enables us to live according to a higher standard.  We are not “only human.”  We are children of God indwelt by His Holy Spirit.  That changes everything.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Daniel 4:1-37; 2 Peter 1:1-21; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 28:17-18.

Here is the video from this past Sunday called “The Thanksgiving Chair.”  Enjoy.

The Thanksgiving Chair

“Many of us want provision and connection without sacrifice.  We want to be blessed with God’s guidance when we’re not moving.  However, only those in motion need guidance.  By focusing on our own needs, we are dead in the water.  We become self-absorbed and cut off from any divine direction.  Only as we make God’s agenda our priority do we begin to get the big picture of our life.”

I am pretty intrigued by the detailed description in Ezekiel of a Temple that has not yet been built–but one day will be.  It is yet another example of how God is in complete control and holds the future in the palm of His hand.  What He ordains will come to pass, including the construction of Ezekiel’s Temple.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ezekiel 40:28-41:26; James 4:1-17; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 28:3-5.

When I was a kid, my heroes were athletes (Johnny Bench, Dominique Wilkins, Chris Spielman, to name a few).  Now my heroes are these…

Hebrews 11:32-38 (NIV)
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, [33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. [35] Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. [36] Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. [37] They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated– [38] the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ezekiel 29:1-30:26; Hebrews 11:32-12:13; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 27:17.

Psalm 111:10 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

We know more “stuff” than ever before.  But, when it comes to wisdom – knowing how to live, we are increasingly ignorant.  Our world cries out for wisdom.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ezekiel 27:1-28:26; Hebrews 11:17-31;
Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 27:15-16.

Proverbs 27:12

New Living Translation (NLT)

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ezekiel 21:1-22:31; Hebrews 10:1-17; Psalm 108:1-13; Proverbs 27:12.

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

God has blessed me far beyond anything that I deserve. I have no room to complain about anything. Even the hard things in life I know God will use for my good. I am thankful.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ezekiel 20:1-49; Hebrews 9:11-28; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverbs 27:11.

Hebrews 9:3 (NIV)
Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,

Hebrews 10:19 (NIV)
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

No barriers.  The blood of Jesus has removed them all.  We have the ability to do what would have been unthinkable to the Jews prior to Jesus:  enter into the very presence of God.  This means that we are as close to God as we choose to be.  It is on us.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; Hebrews 9:1-10;
Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 27:10.