Daily Bible Reading

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

While we have read some dramatic living illustrations throughout the major prophets, the little book of Hosea seems to stand out. It is incredible (and in many ways dignifying) to consider the way God views our fidelity to him in worship, loyalty, and obedience. I hope today’s reading through the first few chapters of Hosea will make a lasting impression on our lives as we face the temptations to compromise. Jude, much like 2 Peter, shows great concern that Christians are not swept into the error of the false teachers. Let today’s New...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today, in the final two chapters of this book we read more of Daniel’s prophecies, which span from the ancient Persians to the end of time. May the timeless closing words of this book be an inspiration to us. In our New Testament reading we again are warned of those who infiltrate the church with their own self-promoting agendas. These are hard warnings to receive, but so essential. Again John states the advantage of face-to-face communication, something I hope will motivate us this week to get our chairs face-to-face for good conv...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The prophecy of the “seventy weeks decreed for [Daniel’s] people and [their] holy city” is one of the most fascinating and exacting prophecies in the Old Testament. For more on this prophecy, search “70-week” on the Focal Point website (Sorting out the End Times – part 6). In the little book of 2 John we are again told to be careful and discerning. It is so unfortunate (and maddening) that there is so much false information proffered in the name of Christ. Let us be doctrinally grounded and able to weather the theological storms.

— Pastor...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The apocalyptic visions of Daniel in today’s Old Testament reading remind us that often God’s predictive prophecies are steeped in images and symbolism that require our work to untangle. As Proverbs 2:1-6 tells us, understanding God’s truth often requires not only an attuned mind, but also one that will work hard to decipher and correlate a wide swath of biblical data. In the New Testament we conclude our read of 1 John, with a focus on the triumph of Christ and the truth of the gospel. After such intense calls for self...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We have seen Nebuchadnezzar become an example of God’s gracious work in the conviction of sin. If the king of this foreign power, who took many of the Israelites captive, saw with clarity the problem of pride and the needfor humility, certainly we should too. Today in Daniel 5 Belshazzar reminds us of why humility is logical—God is sovereign in raising up and casting down; he is able to quickly humble the proud. In our New Testament reading we see a helpful alliance of love and discernment. To be careful and discer...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

There is high drama in our Old Testament reading today. The three Hebrew captives model the godly resolve to not compromise regardless of the price. They had no idea at the time what kind of impact their courage would have on millions of people through the centuries. May we be ready to follow in their footsteps. In 1 John 3 we have some of the clearest unpacking of the truth that “faith without works is dead.” This is one of those chapters that must be read carefully in order to make sure that we interp...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we begin our read of Daniel and encounter a prophetic book with a large amount of historical material that becomes a lesson in itself. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah serve as stellar models of resolve, courage, and godliness. In 1 John 2 we see what a central role love for one another plays in our self-assessment of God’s work in our lives. Let it be obvious that we are new creatures in Christ by our sacrifice and service to other Christians this week.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We conclude our read of the weighty book of Ezekiel today, with an emphasis on the geography of the kingdom. While these passages have been debated, I trust that the focus on God’s fidelity to his own promises has been an encouraging reassurance to us all. In the New Testament we dive into the powerful and convicting book of 1 John. I hope this year’s read through this section of God’s word is enlightening and motivating.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

More today in Ezekiel on the Lord’s personal role in this vision regarding the kingdom and the city of Jerusalem. May we be moved to prepare for the return of Christ. In our New Testament reading we encounter a chapter that is packed with helpful truth regarding the judgment associated with Christ’s coming. I pray this will motivate our evangelism, apologetics, introspection, and urgency. The Lord’s patience should be understood as time to proclaim the message of repentance and faith.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

After lamenting the departure of God’s glory from the failing nation of Israel before the Babylonian captivity, we now see the vision of God’s glory filling the new temple in the kingdom. The exclusive “Gate for the Prince” is an amazing detail, which should not be missed as we consider Jesus Christ’s physical presence and active role in the kingdom that is being described. In 2 Peter 2 we read again the oft-repeated warning concerning false teachers during the present age. Let this encourage us to be discerning.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The temple specifications continue in Ezekiel 41 and 42. In the New Testament we are instructed to “make every effort to supplement our faith” with a long list of godly virtues. This list should be read slowly and prayerfully. I trust that the challenge found in this text will have an obvious impact on our thoughts, decisions, and attitudes today.

— Pastor Mike

Ezekiel 41-42

The Inner Temple

41 Then he brought me to the nave and measured...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Ezekiel’s vision of the temple, which has not yet been constructed to the listed specifications, is fascinating. We can conclude that this memorialized worship in a future temple will play an appropriate and strategic role during the period of time in which God fulfills his promises to the nation of Israel. In the New Testament we finish our read of 1 Peter with an emphasis on the blessing and responsibility of church leadership. May the principles of humility, eager willingness, and watchfulness be helpful exhortations for us all.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

This fascinating section of Ezekiel draws our minds to the eschatological truths of the book of Revelation. May we remember that as God has been faithful and just in his Old Testament judgments, his faithful and just judgments will again be brought on the end times world. In 1 Peter 4 we can feel the sense of stewardship to maximize God’s investments in our lives. Read this section prayerfully and be sure that you don’t let difficulty or suffering prevent you from faithfully serving Christ in this season of your life.

— Pa...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As always in these extended prophecies regarding the judgment promised to wayward Israel, God provides an amazing and hopeful promise of restoration. Notice the depth of God’s concern and his provision for the internal transformation that is foundational for the national restoration of his people. More practical instruction in 1 Peter today, chapter three of this important letter shows us a sympathy for the practical difficulties that we face as we seek to live for Christ. I pray this is a helpful read for us today.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Harsh words today in our Old Testament reading as God diagnoses and calls out the self-serving leaders in Israel. Don’t miss the Messianic aspects of this text and our reminder that Christ calls himself our “Good Shepherd.” In the New Testament we are led to contemplate some very practical principles that will undoubtedly adjust our expectations as we seek to live out our Christian lives in a non-Christian world.

— Pastor Mike

Ezekiel 34-35

Prophecy Against th...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

When we consider the strength and account of Egypt to this point in biblical history, perhaps we can understand what a monumental set of prophecies we have been reading. Today we read of the dreadful lament over Pharaoh and his doomed nation. We also read of God’s specific instructions for the Israelites who will be taken captive. In the New Testament we begin our brief read through the great little book of 1 Peter. May these opening passages be a challenge and an encouragement to us today.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The focus in today’s Old Testament reading shifts from Tyre to Egypt. Their prideful outlook and abuse of power are condemned, and God’s judgment is promised. This recurring theme of prideful, self-promotion should call to mind the repeated biblical principle that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” This is also reflected in the warnings we read in the New Testament today. We are encouraged to be patient in waiting humbly for God’s practical provisions in the midst of our sufferings and illnesses (Jms.5:7-11)

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Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In this indictment of Tyre and its prince, the text of Ezekiel 28 begins to reveal something of the spiritual connection and parallel to the fall of Satan. This is a veiled but helpful description of the one “in Eden, the garden of God… an anointed guardian cherub” (vv.13-14). May this impress us with the severity of pride and self-promotion (v.17). And let our New Testament reading drive that point home with the insight that our “friendship with the world [and its reflection of Satan’s self-seeking independence] is enmity with God” (Jms.4:4).

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In an intense comparison God displays the gravity of Israel’s sin by the relative grief of Ezekiel over the death of his wife. The following chapters show us the Lord’s justice in relation to the neighboring nations. James 3 provides us with a sobering reminder of the power of our words. May today’s reading be a helpful motivation for us to seek to display and to more frequently verbalize the “wisdom from above” (vv.13-18).

— Pastor Mike

Ezekiel...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The extent of Israel’s sin is described in today’s Old Testament reading. In Ezekiel 23 the parable of “Oholah and Oholibah” dramatically depicts the unfaithfulness of Samaria and Jerusalem (the capitals of the northern and southern kingdoms). In our New Testament reading God warns us of the sin of partiality and explains the necessary presence of good works in the lives of genuine Christians.

— Pastor Mike

Ezekiel 22-23

Israel’s Shedding of Blood

22 And the...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

God’s just anger toward sin is never capricious or impulsive, but always measured and appropriate. While we, as sinners, are tempted to think otherwise, our real surprise should be in reaction to the gracious provision of the redemptive Messiah that is alluded to in Ezekiel 21. Today we begin our read through the great little book of James. I hope that in your read of this first chapter you will see that James is less proverbial and varied as many suppose. May the themes tie together clearly as you work your way thro...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The Old Testament “parable” of the two eagles in Ezekiel 17 should remind us of God’s sovereignty over all nations—in this case, Babylon and Egypt. God accomplishes his purposes, and our call is to be faithful to the Lord regardless of the national or international upheaval that may take place. We close out our reading of Hebrews with a variety of practical instructions, and some appropriate summations of the supremacy of Christ over the old covenant ceremonies.

— Pastor Mike

E...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May the bold personification of Israel in this dramatic illustration of Ezekiel 16 challenge us to see the gravity of sin and the personal nature of God’s concern for our holiness. May it also remind us of the profound depth of God’s grace. I hope that our reading of Hebrews 12 will help us to better understand the working of God’s discipline in our own lives.

— Pastor Mike

Ezekiel 16

The Lord‘s Faithless Bride

16 Again...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today in Ezekiel we read one of the frequent warnings that not all those who say they speak for God actually do. The lifestyle and message of God’s spokesmen should be objectively evaluated, both then and now. I trust that in the second half of Hebrews 11 you are reassured that prosperity and advancement in this world doesn’t always reflect God’s blessing, and that the absence of this world’s accolades is often the lot for those who are highly regarded in God’s economy.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We find an important reminder in today’s Old Testament reading concerning the importance of staying faithful to God even when the society or the culture has abandoned their fidelity to the Lord and his truth. In our New Testament reading we arrive at the rich summary of how faith in God changes everything. May our reading of the first half of Hebrews 11 be an encouraging and motivating encounter with God’s word.

— Pastor Mike

Ezekiel 10-12

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May our reading in Ezekiel be a perspective-building exercise for us today. Let us learn to hate idolatry in any and every form. I trust that the opening verses in our New Testament reading will drive us to reevaluate our involvement with the people of God; and that we will persist in our commitment to make time and give thought to corporately working together to “stir one another to love and good deeds” (v.24).

— Pastor Mike

Ezekiel...

Today’s Reading is:

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We learn more about Ezekiel’s prophetic role in today’s Old Testament reading. We also see God’s good intentions for his creation, which are so quickly and angrily forfeited by many. As we again encounter God’s just response to sin, may it motivate us to see our temptations to compromise and rebellion as God sees them. In our reading of the first half of Hebrews 10 we focus on the “once-for-all” sacrifice of Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we begin our read through the book of Ezekiel. Notice the parallels found between this opening vision and those found in the fourth and fifth chapters of Revelation. In these strange depictions God reminds us that he certainly isn’t a “domesticated deity.” Let us worship him appropriately. The finality of Christ’s sacrifice is underscored in our New Testament reading today. I hope we can more profoundly appreciate the invaluable sacrifice that has been provided to cancel our debt, because of our thoughtful reading of Hebrews 9.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In Lamentations 3 we find some familiar words, which prompted the lyrics of the old hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” I trust the original context of those words allows you to appreciate the amazing perspective that Jeremiah communicated in this passage. In our New Testament reading we continue with an emphasis on the intercessory work of Christ. In this God-breathed explanation I hope you can recognize the critical importance of the representation we have in Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Lamentat...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we begin our brief read through the emotive book of Lamentations. Faced with the devastation of Jerusalem, and knowing full well why, Jeremiah commences with his “lament” concerning the destruction of this centrally-important capital city. I hope this sobering read through Lamentations reminds us all of the high cost of rebellion, as well as the justice and mercy of God. In Hebrews 7 we again pick up the connection of Christ to the “non-Levitical” priest Melchizedek. If this is all too confusing for your current knowledge of God’s word, be sure to supplemen...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As we conclude the lengthy book of Jeremiah, I hope your respect for God’s zeal for holiness and truth has been bolstered. May we never see God as an indulgent grandfather who sits back saying, “Boys will be boys.” But may we have the appropriate fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. This is also what we encounter when reading Hebrews 6 today. We are warned that though many can benefit from a connection to the people of God, just as in Old Testament Israel, what is necessary is a thorou...