Bible in a Year Blog

2 Kings 13:1-14:29 + Acts 18:23-19:12 + Psalm 146:1-10 + Proverbs 18:2-3
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we read about the passing of the prophet Elisha!  I am sad that our readings of Elijah and Elisha are now behind us. I don’t know what it was about these 2 prophets, but I loved them.  Sure, they were a bit rough and gruff at times, but also very tender.  They’d send fire down from heaven to kill the prophets of Baal and bears from the trees to kill mockers, but then they’d care for widows.  I’m wondering if in our lives today we should be a mix of rough & gruff at times, but also very tender?  Should we be rough and gruff toward those that are modern day “prophets of Baal” and tender toward those who need God?  I have to confess, I’m rarely rough and gruff toward anyone – well, okay, maybe myself!  🙂  Let me know your thoughts in the Comments below if you think rough and gruff should be in our personality mix at all today?  Before Elisha passes he does give one final prophecy to King Joash about beating the Arameans 3 times, just after 2 Kings 13 verses 16 & 17: “Then Elisha told the king of Israel to put his hand on the bow, and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands. Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it. Then he said, “Shoot!” So he did.”

Then we read about Elisha’s passing.  Even once Elisha passes on, his bones still give life!  I think this is simply because of the life-giving power of God whom Elisha represented during his life.  It wasn’t the bones themselves that gave life.  It was God. Verses 20 & 21 tell us:  “Then Elisha died and was buried.  Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring. Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the body they were burying into the tomb of Elisha. But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!”  Below is an image from a woodcut from the Nuremberg Bible, from the year 1483, of the recovery of the deadman who touched the bones of Elisha in today’s readings:

In 2 Kings 14 today we read about King Amaziah of Judah.  I’m not sure if you caught this – I barely did – but we read about the ancient city of Petra, which is located in modern day Jordan, in verse 7: “It was Amaziah who killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He also conquered Sela and changed its name to Joktheel, as it is called to this day.”  Sela/Joktheel is the same city as Petra.  I’m curious if anyone reading this has visited the ruins of Petra in Jordan?  Can you post up reviews in the Comments?  Are they worth visiting?  I have heard they are incredible!  In fact, Bruce Feiler’s book, Walking the Bible, has a wonderful chapter on Petra – I highly recommend this book! I hope to visit Petra someday.  A map of where Petra is located in comparison to Amman, Jordan, and Jerusalem is below.

New Testament – Today in our readings in Acts, we are introduced to Apollos!  Apollos loved God, but initially he didn’t fully understand that Jesus gave believers the gift of the Holy Spirit. Apollos understood repentance of sins very well – that was the “baptism of John (The Baptist)” that he preached.  Repent from sins and be baptized was Apollos’ message, without a strong teaching of the gift of the Holy Spirit after belief in Christ.  Well, Priscilla and Acquila more fully explained the Gospel and then Paul introduced the Holy Spirit to believers who were initially taught by Apollos before he learned the full Gospel.  A good overview of “Who was Apollos?” is at gotquestions.org at this link.  I love that they say at another commentary, “Apollos was teachable.”  Inferring that you and I should be teachable too when it comes to our faith!  Are you teachable?  Or do you know it all?  🙂

Psalms – I love Psalm 146 verse 9 today: “The LORD protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows.”  If God protects foreigners, orphans and widows, should we protect these folks in our communities as well?  How in your life today are you caring for orphans and widows and foreigners?  Below is Psalm 146 verses 5 through 10 in another language (can anyone identify this language? I’m sure one of our readers can…), but I think we’ll get the point of this image with these 5 verses (re-read verses 5 through 10 again and reflect on this image for a moment):

Proverbs – Proverbs 18 verse 2 remind you of anyone you know?  🙂 “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.” I am sure each of us is probably thinking of someone else… but I think maybe each of us needs to reflect on this Proverb and ourselves as well…  Do you literally listen twice as much as you talk?  (hence two ears, once mouth)  Do you truly listen to others to gain understanding of their point of view?   Or are you quick to rush to air your own opinions?  I know that personally I need to reflect on this one… Let us pray each of us has interest in understanding and not just in hearing ourselves talk talk talk!  Let us listen!

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the beautiful MercyMe song, “Make it Well:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i33lq97hD2w

Has Jesus made you well? Click here and Be Well!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” Psalm 146:3 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not placing your hope or trust or worship in mere human beings, who cannot truly save you. Rather, pray that your allegiance is wholly to Jesus, as your LORD and savior.

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.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Mike I like your “rough and gruff” question. I for one believe we do not allow the Holy Spirit to tell us how to respond to any given situation or we suppress what we are being led to say and the tone we are being led to speak it in because we are in fear. We fear what others will think of us or that we will offend others. Many of us even believe that if we speak ever so gentile then the person or people we are speaking to will come running to the Lord either for Salvation or to Repentance.

I have been so “rough and gruff” from time to time when speaking or dealing with people at times I have even looked around and said, “Who said that?” I have even dealt gently with people who were out of control, belligerent and just plan “off-the-hook,” when I just wanted to bop the on the head. In a bible study I was leading on the unproductive fig tree, one of the people who lived on the street, a man, became so unruly because of the topic, he began cursing and shouted, “Why are you bringing up this Bible stuff?” I told him, “To seat down, shut up or leave; after all this is a church.” The authority, volume and intensity of my voice stunned even me. About 18 months latter, as I entered a subway train that a very seldom take I hear someone call my name. Recognizing no one on the I proceeded to take a seat. Again, I heard my name and then he added, “This is Padro.” Here before me was the man who had been out of control now in front of me in his right mind and I didn’t even recognize him. He had cleaned himself up, got into rehab, reconnected with his family and was going to church for a reason other than getting a free meal. I was absolutely stunned. When the original incident happened, there were none too few people rebuking me for my “attitude.” However, that “attitude” was what God used to speak to him.

When directed by the Holy Spirit, “rough and gruff” or “sweet as peaches,” God gives you the “attitude” needed to get the job done.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

I have to admit the kings have become a handful for me…I just don’t seem to keep track who’s whose son and what who did…it was interesting to note that although Jehoahaz did evil in the eyes of God,God was still merciful…and his son Jehoash although he had no regard for God and did evil in His sight,seemed to be fond of Elisha whom he called his father….strange…What also seems strange is that Elisha had a double portion of the annointing….his bones had raised the dead…yet he himself died due to an illness….
I believe when you have a passion for God in your heart and you seek Him,no matter where you are God’ll make sure you are taught his ways.I had planned to read the bible through a few times and failed…the God showed me a way to do it..May God lead us all to those who are searching and whose hearts are ready to receive God…may God sustain us in praying for those whose hearts are hardened so that they too may be ready to receive Him…May God keep our hearts steadfast and our hopes alive even when it seems we’re in the eye of a tornado….
God bless you all
Anka

====== John:

======== Vance:

I was struck that the verses in Proverbs 18 are an excellent commentary on the history of Judah and Israel:
2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
3When the wicked arrive, contempt, shame, and disgrace are sure to follow.
However, in the middle of our sin, God is still faithful to His covenant. Even though Israel, not being faithful to the covenant, God STILL IS FAITHFUL to the covenant — because of Abraham’s obedience AND because of God, Who cannot lie and Who is unchangeable.
THANK GOD… for God !
Also, I am reminded of what it seys in the New Testament, 2 Timothy 2:13 (NIV):
if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
————-
Also, it should be obvious that our OBEDIENCE or our DISOBEDIENCE does not only affect and shape us (it clearly does), but it shapes and affects our families and our communities.
Thnk of the Palestinians and other Arabs who are choosing to embrace a mentality of “justice” that includes killing innocent people. This finds expression when terrorists blow innocent people in the name of “justice”…and mothers hold these people up as “heroes” to their children. Then, children want to be like that.
Yet, Abraham’s obedience touched not just Isaac and Jacob (thank God for that !!), but also God Himself. And God, who noted Abraham’s obedience, literally steps into history and changes it so His covenant with Abraham is fulfilled.
ARE WE OBEYING TODAY? If not, Why?
————–
I have heard Oral Roberts say many times that his mother instructed him over and over when he was growing up:
“Stay little in your own eyes, and always obey God.”
Vance Brown

======= Vance:

2 Kings 13 (NKJV)
3
Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-Hadad the son of Hazael, all their days.
11
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, but walked in them.
18
Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped.
19
And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times.”
NOTE:
Elisha and Elijah teach me to intensely and eagerly expect a miracle, based on the real power of God. Don’t be complacent!
Note that the kings of Israel accepted and remained became comfortable with all the sins of Jeroboam.
Note how far reaching is one sin. Albeit, Jeroboam was the king of the northern kingdom of Israel, so his influence was probably greater than the influence of someone else.
Yet, think about it…we are all leaders in life. That is, people watch us and they learn from us. The question I need to think about is this: What are people learning from me?
What I do is what I really believe. Of course, by God’s grace and His Word, I can change.
Am I complacent? Are we?
Acts 18 (NKJV)
25
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
28
for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 19 (NKJV)
5
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6
And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7
Now the men were about twelve in all.
NOTE:
Apollos in Acts 18 and the disciples in Acts 19 all have at least three (3) things in common:
a. they needed a clear understanding of Jesus as Lord, and to yield to him as Lord
b. they needed a continual filling and spilling over of the Holy Spirit
c. they are just like us
We need to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.
May we spend time really abiding in the Lord Jesus, so His life can flow to us– from the vine to the branches.
Psalm 146 (NKJV)
1
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2
While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
NOTE:
I like David and the other psalmists. They always pressed into the Lord, no matter how they felt or the circumstances they were in.
Even when confessing sin, they were fervent!
May we learn from the spiritual diary of our brothers and sisters who have gone before. Oh, that we would see the treasure of the Lord within earthen vessels!
May we be…
Romans 12 (NKJV):
11
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12
rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer
And when we feel discouraged, keep these wonderful realities in mind, from 2 Corinthians 4 (NKJV):
7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
10
always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
13
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” [Psalm 116:10] we also believe and therefore speak,
14
knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus
NOTE: In the past, I have puzzled over Psalm 116:10, the verse which the Holy Spirit through Paul quotes as the Scriptural basis in the OT for victorious spirit of faith during times of trial. This is quoted in 2 Corinthians 4:13.
The New King James Version
is not clear (and is very similar in other English translations):
Psalm 116 (NKJV)
10
I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted.”
At first glance, this sounds exactly the opposite of a victorious spirit of faith. I suppose that someone who was predisposed to look for “contradictions in the Bible” might say this proves their case.
Yet, this is why we are called to “dig a little deeper” and study to show ourselves approved. God’s wisdom is always there. We just have to find it.
Psalm 116:10 is not as clear in English as it is in the Tehillim (Psalms) in Hebrew. I have an English translation with a commentary from Talmudic, Midrashic, and Rabbinic sources.
Note this English translation of the Tehillim of this same verse.
Psalm 116 (Tehillim)
10
I kept the faith although I would say, “I suffer exceedingly.”
If you have wondered about this, this is what I found that really helped me from the Tehillim:
FIRST, context is crucial.
SECOND, in the English translation of the Tehillim (Psalms), God is referred to as HASHEM. This is God’s highest name—i.e., the God of Mercy.
THIRD, I found the context and the following quotes from the Tehillim (Psalms) extremely illuminating:
Psalm 116 (my English translation of the Tehillim [Psalms] ):
1
I love Him, for HASHEM hears my voice, my supplications.
2
For He has inclined His ear to me, in my days I will invoke His Name.
3
The pains of death encircled me; the confines of the grave have found me, trouble and sorrow I would find.
4
THEN I WOULD INVOKE THE NAME OF HASHEM: “Please HASHEM save my soul!”
7
Return to your rest, my soul; for HASHEM has been kind to you.
8
For You delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9
I shall walk before HASHEM in the land of the living.
10
I kept the faith although I would say, “I suffer exceedingly.”
Most excellent note from Rabbinic source on this point:
“I trust that which I said – Return my soul, unto your rest – for I believe that God can redeem me from my deep suffering and restore my tranquility.”
So, Psalm 116:10 is really a verbal speaking of the inner person continually meditating on the character of God revealed in His Word, and His faithfulness in previous situations.
This passage in the Tehillim shows how the Psalmist re-focused his soul on God through meditation on His word and through prayer.
This is how we can do the same.
Hope this is a blessing.
Vance

======= John:

2Kings13
Elisha had become sick: Even men of faith and miracles are not immune to sickness and disease. This great man became sick like others whom he had healed as a channel of the power and blessing of God.
With the illness of which he would die: Though God used Elisha on many occasions to heal others, God appointed this illness to be the means of taking Elisha from this world. God has no one single way that He does this; it is a mistake to believe that all the godly die in their sleep without a hint of prior illness.
Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face: This reaction of the king of Israel might seem strange, having just read the description of the sin and evil that marked his reign. However, it is important to remember that Joash was not a worshipper of the false gods; he was a false worshipper of the true God. He had some respect for the true God, and therefore some regard and honor for Elisha.
i. “Dear friends, let us seek so to live that even ungodly men may miss us when we are gone.” (Spurgeon)
“It was an ancient custom to shoot an arrow or cast a spear into the country which an army intended to invade. . . . The dart, spear, or arrow thrown, was an emblem of the commencement of hostilities.” (Clarke)
“The window was opened eastward toward Syria and specifically toward Aphek, the most strategic site between Damascus and Samaria. Aphek was the city where Ahab had defeated the Syrians years earlier (1 Kings 20:26).” (Dilday)
When the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet: This is one of the more strange and unusual miracles in the Bible. There is little explanation and the silence of the record suggests that there was not inherent power in the bones of Elisha to resuscitate others. This seems to be a unique, one-time miracle to bring honor to the memory of this great prophet….We can also be brought to life by our contact with these dead prophets.
Three times Joash defeated him: Elisha had promised Joash these three victories over the Syrians. We can supposed that especially after the third victory King Joash wished he had shot more arrows through the window at the invitation of Elisha.
http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/1213.htm
======================================================2Kings14
Going agasinst Edom
2 Chronicles 25:5-16 gives more background to this event. Amaziah gathered a huge army in Judah to go against Edom – three hundred thousand choice men, able to go to war, who could handle spear and shield. He also hired 100,000 mercenary soldiers from Israel. But a prophet came and warned him to not use the soldiers from Israel, because God was not with that rebellious and idolatrous kingdom. Amaziah was convinced to trust God, send the mercenaries from Israel away, and accept the loss of the money used to hire them. God blessed this step of faith, and gave them a convincing victory over the Edomites.
Amaziah trusted God for the victory over Edom; but immediately after the victory his heart turned from God: Now it was so, after Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the people of Seir, set them up to be his gods, and bowed down before them and burned incense to them. (2 Chronicles 25:14)
Again, 2 Chronicles 25:5-16 gives more background to this event. When Amaziah sent away the Israelite mercenaries, they were not happy – even though he paid them for not fighting against Edom (they probably counted on receiving much more from the spoil of battle). As they returned to Israel, they raided the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth Horon, killed three thousand in them, and took much spoil (2 Chronicles 25:13). This was the political motivation for Amaziah’s attack against Israel.
He had reason to believe he would be successful. He had recently assembled a 300,000 man army that killed 20,000 Edomites in a victory over Edom (2 Chronicles 25:5, 11-12). Jehoahaz seemed very weak, having only 50 horsemen, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers after being defeated by the Syrians (2 Kings 13:7)…Amaziah had a mighty army and Jehoash had a weak army. Yet God gave Israel the victory over Judah to rebuke the idolatry of Amaziah.
The reign of Jeroboam II was a time of economic, political, and material prosperity for Israel. Yet it was not because of their own merit or goodness, but because of God’s great mercy to Israel.
i. Archaeology confirms the economic might of Jeroboam II. In the age prior to Jeroboam II, the houses in Israel’s cities were roughly the same size. But archaeologists find a change starting in the eighth century b.c. – ancient cities like Tirzah have a neighborhood of large, expensive houses and another neighborhood of small, crowded structures, smaller than the houses from previous years. The larger houses are filled with the marks of prosperity, and the oppressive rich of Israel thought they could find safety there – but God’s judgment came against those houses as well (Amos 3:13-15).
Then Zechariah his son reigned in his place: Zechariah was the fourth generation of the Jehu dynasty, and it was prophesied that the dynasty of Jehu would continue for four generations (2 Kings 10:30).
i. “From the time of Jeroboam’s death, declension set it, ending, less than seventy years later, in its final overthrow and dissolution. Prophetic ministry was from this time greatly increased. ‘Such is the way of our gracious God,’ and unknown writer says, ‘that when judgment is near to approach, then testimony is multiplied.’” (Knapp)
John

======= John:

Acts 18
Apollos
Apollos (short form of Apollonius), an Alexandrian Jew, had evidently taken advantage of the education of that city and especially its Jewish community. Alexandria, known for its museum, library and ancillary learning facilities, boasted a Jewish population containing scholars who had produced the Septuagint and later counted Philo the philosopher among their ranks….
…We encounter less difficulty, though, if we take Apollos to be a knowledgeable, fervent but unregenerate disciple of John the Baptist who believes Jesus is the Messiah but does not understand the present saving significance of his death and resurrection. Further, he is unaware of what Pentecost means for all who are baptized in the name of Jesus. The way of the Lord that he knows, then, is not the gospel, but God’s way of salvation set forth in the promises of the Old Testament (Is 40:3-5/Lk 3:4-6; compare 1QS 8:13-14).
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/index.php?action=getCommentaryText&cid=5&source=1&seq=i.51.18.3
Aquilla and Priscilla
I am lucky to have some Aquilla and Priscilla’s in my church. The church I attend is evangelical and was started by some professors from the State University so they could worship at a place that taught the Bible.
Usually if I run into trouble during bible reading – I can go to different people and ask what they think. Through dialogue I can come up with a satisfactory interpretation. On a few occasions I have said something that caused someone to approach me, sometimes causing me to rethink my statements.
It has been great for my growth, and my fellowship, and I have learned a lot from these people – especially as the pastors do not always have “free time” to discuss things “one on one”.
“God always wants us to go deeper. We have sipped where we might have drunk deeply, we have drunk deeply where we might have waded, and we have waded where we might have gone full out and plunged in!” – David Guzik
Acts 19
Extraordinary miracles
Literally, the phrase unusual miracles could be translated, miracles not of the ordinary kind. Even if we should “expect” miracles, these are the unexpected sort!
Observations on these unusual miracles.
i. Note that these were unusual miracles; we should not expect that God would continue to use this method to bring healing.
ii. God delights in doing things in new and different ways; so we receive whatever is proven to be from the hand of God, but we pursue only that which we have a Biblical pattern for.
iii. God will stoop down to meet us even in our crude superstitions. This never means that God is pleased with our superstition, but that in His mercy He may overlook them to meet a need.
John

======= Karen:

Been to Petra. It is an amazing place and well worth visiting. We walked into the ruins via the canyon. It starts off as what one would think is just a small draw, but the starts a narrow decent into the large deep canyons where the buildings are I am sure there are some uTube videos out there about Petra. Spend some time studying them. Well with the time.
Karen

2 Kings 10:32-12:21 + Acts 18:1-22 + Psalm 145:1-21 + Proverbs 18:1
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Eventful readings today in 2 Kings 11 for the coming of a 7 year old king of Judah, Joash! Below are 2 images for 2 Kings 11 verses 13 & 14: “When Athaliah heard all the noise made by the guards and the people, she hurried to the LORD’s Temple to see what was happening. And she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar, as was the custom at times of coronation. The officers and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets.”If God can work all things together for the good of the nation of Israel through a 7 year old boy turned King (Joash), do you trust God can work all things together for good in your life? (Roman 8:28) What is something recently in your life that seemed unlikely or small (like a 7 year old king) that God turned into a good in your life?

It is great to see that in 2 Kings 12 Joash is passionate for the repair of the Temple in Jerusalem.  2 Kings 12 verse today 9 tells us: “Then Jehoiada the priest bored a hole in the lid of a large chest and set it on the right-hand side of the altar at the entrance of the Temple of the LORD. The priests guarding the entrance put all of the people’s contributions into the chest.”

New Testament – Today’s readings in Acts 18 are important in that Paul is beginning his work of building the church in Corinth through his ministry!  We of course are very familiar now with Paul’s letters of 1st and 2nd Corinthians – today we get a glimpse of how Paul’s relationship with the city of Corinth began.  Verses 9 through 11 let us clearly know that the Lord was very involved in Paul’s ministry in Corinth: “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will harm you because many people here in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.” How are you involved in helping to build or support the church today? What are some ways that God has called you to love and serve your local church? How about the global church?

Per Tyndale’s One Year Bible Companion today: “Corinth was the political and commercial center of Greece, surpassing Athens in importance.  It had a reputation for great wickedness and immorality.  A temple to Aphrodite – goddess of love and war – had been built on the large hill behind the city.”

Psalms – I love the imagery today in Psalm 145 verse 9! “The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” Do you believe that God is good to everyone?  Do you feel God’s compassion being showered upon you right this very moment?

Proverbs – Proverbs 18 verse 1 is a great reminder that God created us to be in community with others!  “A recluse is self-indulgent, snarling at every sound principle of conduct.” Are you in community with others?  In what ways?  Are there some ways that God might be calling you to go deeper into community with others?  Are you part of a church community?  Think God would want you to be part of a church community?  Why or why not?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of TobyMac’s song “Cornerstone:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws5Jnoq96qo

What’s your cornerstone in life? Click here for your eternal Cornerstone!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” Psalm 145:8 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you experience – consciously – God’s grace and compassion and love each and every day of your life. Pray that you never experience God’s full anger.

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.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

======= Christin:

I just wanted to comment to say that I fell off reading the Bible in a Year back in March. I don’t know what happened. It really makes no difference now, but I want to get back on for the second half and hope I can finish it out this time.
My husband has been doing well to keep up with his 
Christin

2 Kings 9:14-10:31 + Acts 17:1-34 + Psalm 144:1-15 + Proverbs 17:27-28
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Well… Jehu kills a lot of people in today’s readings.  I realize that the violence in the Old Testament can often bring up a lot of questions.  Unfortunately, our human history is full of violence – from Cain and Abel until this very day.  The Bible does record human history.  There will come a day where there is a new heaven and a new earth, free from violence.  That day has not come yet – but will with Jesus’ Second Coming.

Most Biblical commentaries agree that Jehu was carrying out justice for the sins of the Kings of Israel and the worship of Baal.  Jezebel’s death was predicted by the prophet Elijah because of her sins.  A brutal death that it was.  I think one thing for us to keep in mind is that sin does bring death.   As Paul teaches in Romans 6:23 – “The wages of sin is death.”  Jesus saves us from this deserved death when we come to him in faith and surrender our lives to him.  But, let us not forget the severity and risk of sin and the risk of not being in relationship with Jesus.  Without Jesus saving us, the wages of sin truly is eternal death.

2 Kings 10 verses 25-27 seem to demonstrate Jehu’s initial apparent zeal for God – “Then Jehu’s men went into the fortress of the temple of Baal. They dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship of Baal and destroyed it. They broke down the sacred pillar of Baal and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet. That is what it is used for to this day.”  But we soon learn in verse 31 – “But Jehu did not obey the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.”  It is thus thought that Jehu’s action of destroying the idols of Baal was more political than spiritual – as Baal worship was associated with the dynasty of Ahab, whereas the golden calves had a longer history in the northern kingdom of Israel and were valued by most people.  And keeping the golden calves would keep people from Israel traveling to the southern kingdom of Judah to worship God in Jerusalem.  Below is an image of a series of images from the life of Jehu:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Second Kings readings titled “Jehu Cleans House (Ahab’s House)” is at this link and “Three ‘Birds’ With One Stone” is at this link.

New Testament – Great reading about Paul’s travels and preaching in Acts 17 today!

I absolutely love the quote in verse 6 where the Jewish leaders of Thessalonica say: “”Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down, and now they are here disturbing our city,” they shouted.”  Have you ever heard that the Kingdom of God is an “upside down” kingdom?  That the values of the Kingdom of God are upside down compared to worldly values?  Paul and Silas turned the world upside down.  How are you turning the world upside down in your life today?

Today in Acts 17 verses 22 & 23 we read – “Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.” Paul then went on to introduce to the Greeks our personal Creator, in contrast with their views of pantheistic Stoicism. Are there people in your life today that are perhaps like the Greeks Paul was speaking to? People who are religious but do not yet know our personal Creator? Are there people in your life who are seeking the Unknown God? Will you begin conversations with these people that God has placed in your life and let them know about the living God that you know and love? Will you let them know, as Paul let the Greeks know in verse 28 – “For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”? The altar in the image below is located on Palatine Hill, Rome, where once stood the palaces of the Caesars. It dates from about 100 B.C. and has the inscription, ´To the unknown God.’  This could have been a similar altar to the one that Paul was referring to in today’s readings in Athens:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “The Evangelization of Thessalonica and Berea” is at this link and “The Apostle in Athens, Preaching to Philosophers” is at this link.  Below is a painting from the year 1515 by the Italian artist Raphael titled “St. Paul preaching in Athens”:

Psalms – Psalm 144 verses 3 & 4 are 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?

Proverbs – Proverbs 17:27 is so true – “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.”  And with this I will quietly close out today’s posting with few words.  🙂

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Acts about Paul’s preaching in Athens reminded me of Micah Tyler’s song “Walking Free:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK4yBl5my8c

Are you walking free? Click here for freedom!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.'” Acts 17:28 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that in Jesus you live and move and have your being. Pray that you are a child of God, through your saving faith in Jesus.

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.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

======= Vance:

Just want to reinforce the truth that Baalism has been judged by God, and the spirit of Baalism that is constantly looking for human instruments in history will be judge and crushed by God.
Romans 16 (NKJV)
20
And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Baalism is a form of dualism — of two equal and distinct entities or spirits or powers. The “good” power cannot exist without the “bad” power. In the mind of the dualist, good cannot exist without evil.
And it is the balance of the two that brings peace and harmony.
The only problem with this is that before there was evil, there was good. For God is Himself good and true and light.
He created everything and every being good.
Because God made beings with a certain degree of freedom of choice, evil came when created beings chose to rebel against the good.
Evil is always a parasite of good; always a distorton of the good.
Good can exist by itself. Evil cannot.
We can do what is right and good simply because it is right and good — even if we do not feel like it.
However, no one ever did evil simply because it was evil. For evil is using what is good (pleasure, power, financial blessing, etc.) in a way that is evil.
The “Da Vinci Code” was written by Dan Brown. By Dan Brown’s own admission says that he wrote the “Da Vinci Code” to emphasize and push the acceptance of gods and goddesses.
Gods and goddesses are another form of dualism. The “male” god needs the “female” diety to produce “fetility and blessing” for us.
Baalism is all part of that.
We are victorious. And we can and should stand firm in that.
Acts 17 (NKJV)
30
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
31
because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
Vance

======= Laura:

Since we are on the subject of good and evil, Baalism verse Christianity in our study of II Kings, I thought I’d share kind of an interesting and very thought provocing E-mail that I received today. Enjoy……..
Did God create everything that exists?
Does evil exist?
Did God create evil?
A University professor at a well known institution of higher learning
challenged his students with this question. “Did God create everything
that
exists?”
A student bravely replied, “Yes he did!”
“God created everything?” The professor asked.
“Yes sir, he certainly did,” the student replied.
The professor answered, “If God created everything; then God created
evil.
And, since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works
define
who we are, then we can assume God is evil.”
The student became quiet and did not answer the professor’s
hypothetical definition. The professor, quite pleased with himself,
boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian
faith was a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said, “May I ask you a question,
professor?”
“Of course”, replied the professor.
The student stood up and asked, “Professor, does cold exist?”
“What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been
cold?” The other students snickered at the young man’s question.
The young man replied, “In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to
the
laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat.
Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits
energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy.
Absolute zero (-460 F) is the total absence of heat; and all matter
becomes
inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist.
We
have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat.”
The student continued, “Professor, does darkness exist?”
The professor responded, “Of course it does.”
The student replied, “Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not
exist
either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study,
but
not darkness. In fact, we can use Newton’s prism to break white light into
many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot
measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness
and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You
measure
the amount of light present. Isn’t this correct? Darkness is a term used
by
man to describe what happens when there is no light present.”
Finally the young man asked the professor, “Sir, does evil exist?”
Now uncertain, the professor responded, “Of course, as I have already
said.
We see it everyday. It is in the daily examples of man’s inhumanity to
man.
It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world.
These
manifestations are nothing else but evil.”
To this the student replied, “Evil does not exist, sir, or at least it
does
not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like
darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of
God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man
does not have God’s love present in his heart. It’s like the cold that
comes
when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light.”
The professor sat down.
The young man’s name – Albert Einstein
I’ll bet he did not get an “A” in class!
Laura

======= Roslyn:

If one were to follow Eintein’s line of thought then there is no such thing as dualism. But can one reduce the concept/reality of good (God) and evil to the principles of physics? Doesn’t our experience of God defy all logic and the laws or principles of physics or science for that matter?
Roslyn

======= John:

Evil
Laura presented the email “as is” – for our reading. Just a word of caution. It is most likely urban legend. There is nothing in any writings, letters or works on Einstein that would indicate the story to be true. So if you pass it along, I would reccomend caution about how you present the story.
http://www.snopes.com/religion/einstein.asp
John

2 Kings 8:1-9:13 + Acts 16:16-40 + Psalm 143:1-12 + Proverbs 17:26
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Second Kings 8 begins with a wonderful example of God’s “perfect timing.”  It was no coincidence that the king was talking with Gehazi about the time Elisha brought a boy back to life when the woman from Shunem walked in with her son!  God knew that the Shumanite woman was faithful and obedient to Him, so He orchestrated the timing so that she would get her house and land back – after God perfectly timed her to be out of the country for 7 years to avoid the famine! Have you ever had the experience of God’s “perfect timing” in your life?  My hunch is that you have – even if you haven’t realized it.  I have had some experiences where I have consciously realized that God’s perfect timing was at work – and sometimes I’ve quickly said the prayer under my breath of “thank you God!”  But, I also now can look back on my life and now see so many instances of God’s perfect timing.  Hindsight is 20/20.  When is the last time you experienced God’s perfect timing?  Think it could have been today – even if you don’t realize it right now?

Elisha’s interaction with Hazael demonstrates Elisha was certainly a prophet of God’s!  Elisha was not condoning what Hazael is going to violently do, but he was just stating the facts of what was going to happen.  Verses 11 & 12 are sad to read – “Elisha stared at Hazael with a fixed gaze until Hazael became uneasy. Then the man of God started weeping. “What’s the matter, my lord?” Hazael asked him. Elisha replied, “I know the terrible things you will do to the people of Israel. You will burn their fortified cities, kill their young men, dash their children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women!”   Verse 13 is also sad because you will notice that Hazael doesn’t get upset by the violent predictions in Elisha’s proclamation, but only wonders how someone like him would pull of something like this… “Then Hazael replied, “How could a nobody like me ever accomplish such a great feat?””  Below is and image of Elisha and Hazael having this conversation:

I love Elisha’s final instructions to the young prophet concerning his anointing of Jehu as King of Israel in 2 Kings 9 verse 3 – “Then open the door and run for your life!””  Not your typical instructions from a prophet, you wouldn’t think – but if a prophet gives you instructions like these, you better follow them!  🙂

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Second Kings readings titled “Looking Out for a Lovely Lady” is at this link, “What it Takes to Make a Prophet Weep” is at this link, and “Three Birds With One Stone” is at this link.

New Testament – Today in Acts 16 we will read about the earthquake that comes while Paul and Silas are imprisoned!

As a trembling jailer comes to Paul and Silas we will read this in verses 30 through 34 – “”Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.” This is a wonderful look at how many of us become and grow as Christians! We first hear the Good News of how Jesus came to this earth fully human and fully God – how he lived a sinless life and died on the cross for our sins – and how he rose from the dead and will come again. Then, through God’s grace, we believe! We simply believe. From there we learn more about God from others and through studying his Word, the Bible – we can call this discipleship. Then comes a decision to be baptized – to publicly profess our faith in Jesus as our Savior. Then comes living a joyful life of community with others. Now – yes – this is a very abbreviated example of how one becomes and grows as a Christian. 🙂 And our various denominations will probably put the order of how all this happens in various ways. But, can you see similarities in your own faith journey with the jailer’s conversion, baptism, and growth as a Christian? Do you remember first hearing the Good News of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection? Do you remember the day you first Believed? Do you remember learning more about the Word, the Bible? (hopefully you’ll remember this year’s One Year Bible journey! 🙂 Do you remember being baptized (or maybe you’ll have photos or stories from your younger years)? Do you now joyfully live life in community with other Christians through your local church? If you haven’t yet experienced all of these things, will you pray to God asking him for the experiences He has planned for you? And, when others in your life come to you like the jailer, asking “What must I do to be saved?” are you prepared to give them the joyful answer?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “Paul in Philippi: From the Purveyor of Purple to the Purveyor of Pain” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 143 verse 8 stood out to me today – “Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer.”  I read somewhere before – I think it was Bruce Wilkinson’s book “Secrets of the Vine” – that many great men and women of our Christian faith connect with God in the morning through prayer, reading the Bible, and other quiet time activities.  Bruce even suggested that this is the preferential way to go – to start your day by spending time with God in the morning, rather than at night.  Because he said this would then transform the rest of your day – in terms of being more conscientious of our relationship with God.  This does make sense to me – and in fact, I have started reading the One Year Bible now in the mornings, and it is a beautiful way to start the day! I like what this Psalmist says – “Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning.”  And it reminds me that somehow, someway, it almost seems easier to me to connect with God in the morning.  Actually – one other thing I used to do in the morning is read a page or two from Oswald Chambers “My Utmost For His Highest.”  And I am thankful that I did this in the morning for a season.  How about you?  Do you have some way that you connect with God in the morning?  Are you able in some way to hear of God’s unfailing love for you in the morning?

Proverbs – Proverbs 17:26 today is an interesting teaching: “It is wrong to fine the godly for being good or to punish nobles for being honest!”  Why do you suppose this teaching is in the Bible?  I’m thinking it is because unfortunately all too often the godly are fined or blamed or punished or ridiculed or this list could go on and on…  Good becomes bad.  And bad becomes good.  Sound like any cultural times that you might know of?  🙂  Let us pray these days that the godly are not punished for being good or being honest.  Let us pray the godly are not punished for simply telling the Truth!  And let each of us also always remember that when we undergo any sufferings for Jesus, there is Ultimate comfort & encouragement that does come our way…

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of Mac Powell’s song “New Creation:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHIMsGGsit4

Are you a new creation? Click here and be made new!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” Acts 16:29-31 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are telling other people in your life to “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Pray that you life your life in such a Spirit-filled and loving way that people come to you periodically to ask, “What must I do to be saved?”

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.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

======= John:

Solomon
Although the wisest being ever created, he was still human. All of the heroes of Old Testament were flawed.
Solomon’s major goofs seem to come after all the construction was finished. Peacetime. Too much time on his hands??? Power corrupts???? He began to see himself as “above the Law”????? Flesh won out over Spirit???? (or some combination of all the above???)
As Jan said there were consequences (see below), and although he reigned the same length as David – not sure 60 years of age (when he died) is considered a long life, given God’s promises and warnings to David.
[He was very wealthy and some blame his luxurious lifestyle for his fall from righteousness. His sexual interests, with countless wives and concubines from all faiths, are also considered troublesome; some believe that this lead to idolatry. Because of this idol worship, a prophet visits Solomon and tells him that after his death his kingdom would be split in two (Israel and Judah) and that his son, Rehoboam, would suffer because of his sin. He died, after a reign of forty years, and was buried in Jerusalem.]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Solomon
Acts 16
Slave girl predicting the future:
Why did Paul not cast the demon out right away? Jesus shut down this kind of advertising rather quickly. I wonder if this had to do with a “pride issue” on Paul’s part (some think that was the thorn in Paul’s side). Maybe he was ok with the “free advertising”, then it conflicted with the Holy Spirit inside him – thus leading him to get “testy” (angry), and finally taking action. [Thinking out loud]
[Not mentioned in commentaries – I think??]Danger of the girl being allowed to continue her broadcasts: When Paul left the city, people might be inclined to go to her for predictions. Paul’s silence may have seemed like tacit or silent acceptance to the church.
======================================================
In Jewish legal tradition, there was a maximum number of blows that could be delivered when beating a person, but the Romans had no such limit. We can rest assured Paul and Silas were severely beaten. Paul would later write of his ministry: In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. (2 Corinthians 11:23)
Paul never specifically called the keeper of the prison to repent because he was already repenting. We see the humble repentance of the jailer in that he fell down trembling, in the full idea of the word believe (pistis, which means to trust in, rely on, and cling to), and in the command to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ).
The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace: If Paul and Silas were released the day after their beating, arrest, and imprisonment, why did God send the earthquake? We see that the earthquake had absolutely nothing to do with freeing Paul and Silas from prison. But it had everything to do with the salvation of a certain prison guard and his household.
Lydia was a churchgoer; the guard was not. Lydia was prospering in business; the guard was about to kill himself. Lydia’s heart was gently opened; the guard’s heart was violently confronted. The guard had a remarkable sign – an earthquake, but all Lydia had was the move of the Holy Spirit in her heart. Both heard the gospel and believed, and through each of them their whole families were touched!
John

======= Roslyn:

Vance,
This is a quote from the last statement in your recent comments. I’m not quite sure if I misread you but it seems to me that you do believe that “the sacred feminine” that Dan Brown was referring to in his book is equated with Baalism in your internalized view based on Dr. Green’s.
You ended one of your paragraphs with this line: He says, “The ability of the woman to produce life from her womb made her sacred. A god.”
But I notice that the god is a small g not a big G which to me makes a lot of difference. Isn’t a woman’s ability to produce/carry/nurture life truly a God given gift—-sacred?
And isn’t Wisdom a personified she in Proverbs?
Roslyn

======= John:

Roslyn,
My understanding –
“Wisdom” as an “attribute” is feminine. It is a convention of the language. Biblical Hebrew has masculine and feminine indications, but the concept of “neuter” does not exist. The indications come from the cognate verbs.
English has three genders, masculine, feminine and neuter (i.e. he, she and it). Hebrew and Aramaic have no neuter gender. In Hebrew and Aramaic everything is either a “he” or a “she” and nothing is an “it”.
Of course all of this fits in with Smith’s comments above; gender here is a matter of role, not organs, and with relation to us, we are all the “bride of Christ” (even you men! deal with it!). The Spirit’s role in the universe is feminine; this does not make it’s gender feminine any more than you men are “womanized” at the wedding supper of the Lamb.
I too am a littel confused by the quote from Brown’s book. It seems incomplete, and I can only surmise is that the divine knowledge gained through ceremonial coupling was enhanced by a “fertility goddess”. There were multiple gods and goddesses for different facets of life. Of course this flies in the face of a Triune God. The quote reads like the woman bearing the child is elevated to “god” status. That I do not understand.
God and the Holy Spirit are spirits – it would be demaning to call them “it”. I think the convention is to use masculine – when in actuality probably no kind of “case” applies. Jesus was personified in male form, and in Revelations comes back as a male figure.
You know, I am not sure I addressed what Vance wrote or your question, but I thought I would give it a try.
John

======= Roslyn:

Thanks, John.
Indeed, God being Spirit—is neither masculine nor feminine. The attribution that we make is our own conventional human conception.
Roslyn

======= Marcella:

“A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.”
This is what I want to do today. Give words that are refreshing and life giving.
Thanks for this beautiful service you are giving in this website
Marcella

======= Barbara:

Mike, I love the “run for your life” verse. I wrote this quote in my journal from Expositors commentary: “God’s work is often done best and left to have its own impact.” Comment from 2 Kings 9.2-3.
Barbara

2 Kings 6:1-7:20 + Acts 15:36-16:15 + Psalm 142:1-7 + Proverbs 17:24-25
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – 2 Kings 6 today opens up with a very interesting little story about the floating ax head! 🙂  Apparently in those days the iron in an ax head was very costly – far too costly for prophets to have been able to afford.  Hence, they had to borrow it.  If the prophet who lost the ax head had not been able to recover it, he would have then had to have become an indentured servant for a period of time to the person he borrowed it from to pay back the cost.  So, Elisha’s recovery of the ax head I think demonstrates a simple moral of this opening story in today’s readings: God cares for the welfare of those who love God.  Whaddya think on this moral of the floating ax head story?  Have you had experiences in your life where God has done some small things – or maybe even big things – that don’t seem super spiritual at first glance, but simply saved you a lot of heartache/costs/time?  I know I have…  Praise God that He floats ax heads and even “floats” you and me too!  God is indeed our great Life Preserver…

Today in 2 Kings 6 verse 27 we will read this verse that King Joram says to an Israelite during a time of a severe famine – “”If the LORD does not help you, where can I get help for you?” I think the thing to note in this verse is that the King realized he could not end the famine on his own, but that only God could end the famine. (I think the King may have actually been trying to blame God for the famine – and certainly Elisha he blames later in the chapter). I wonder about this in our lives today – do we try to help others and even try to help ourselves using our own power and without relying on God at all? And maybe sometimes even blame God for problems we see, like this King?  Do we think we can end a “famine” or whatever problems we see at work, in our community, in our family, or in our world all on our own?  Or should we be asking for God’s help in these areas of our lives?  I’ve been thinking about this more and more lately – about how little I truly pray for others. I see areas of my life, my family, my community, my work, my church, my favorite charities, our world, that need some help. Need some changing. Need some love. And sometimes I think that I can institute these changes all on my own! Which is foolish. Instead, I should be praying for God’s providence and work in these areas of my life where I see a “famine.” Yes, I do think that God will oftentimes answer our prayers by encouraging us to “do something” to work on a change. But, we’d be wise to prayerfully approach all areas of our life and to pay attention to where God is asking us to “do something” – and to pay attention to where God is flat-out doing the work! Are there any “famine” areas in your life? In your personal relationship with God or others? In your work, church, community? Are there “famine” areas you see in our world? Will you today begin praying to God about these “famines” in the knowledge that famines can truly only end if God is involved in the work? Will you allow God to get involved in the famine areas of your life? Will you pray more consistently than ever before for the famine areas you see in your life?

In 2 Kings 7 today we read about God scaring off the Aramean army! Below is an image from a 15th century Dutch Bible for 2 Kings 7 verse 8 – “When the lepers arrived at the edge of the camp, they went into one tent after another, eating, drinking wine, and carrying out silver and gold and clothing and hiding it.”

And below is an image from the same 15 century Dutch Bible for verse 17: “The king appointed his officer to control the traffic at the gate, but he was knocked down and trampled to death as the people rushed out. So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted when the king came to his house.”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Second Kings readings titled “Saved from the Syrians: The War that Never Happened” is at this link and “Feast or Famine” is at this link.

New Testament – In Acts 15 today we read about Paul not wanting to bring along John Mark on the next missionary journey.  Good news is that Paul and Mark were eventually reunited in missionary efforts.  Some speculate that it was because Barnabas went with Mark at this juncture, Barnabas’ patient encouragement helped Mark’s eventual effective ministry.  In fact, John Mark is the very same Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark!  How’s that for encouragement changing the world?? Is there anyone in your life today who you think could be a great worker for God’s kingdom with some encouragement?  Will you be like Barnabas was for John Mark and work with and encourage that person?  Below is an image of Barnabas the encourager:

Today in Acts 16 we read about Paul’s 2nd missionary journey, which took place around AD 49-52.  – (map courtesy of ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm)

Great readings about the conversion of Lydia of Philippi today!  She was a business woman and a Gentile (like Cornelius) who loved God.  And the Lord opened her heart and she believed!  Praise God for his continual ministry of opening people’s hearts to the Gospel.  Has your heart been opened like Lydia’s was opened?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “When Division Becomes Multiplication” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 142 is a prayer of David’s when he was fleeing Saul and was hiding in a cave.  David is praying for deliverance to God from his enemies.  I thought verse 3 was powerful – “For I am overwhelmed, and you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me.”  Have you ever felt this way?  Overwhelmed?  And traps every which way you look?  And you have no idea which way to go?  At a time like this, will you cry out to God as David did in this Psalm?  Will you “pour out your complaints before him and tell him all your troubles”? (v. 2)  Do you believe that God knows which way you should turn?  Will you allow God to “”be your place of refuge”?  In times like these, will you allow God to be “all you really want in life“?  (v. 5)  Some say that David wrote Psalm 142 while in a cave in Adullam. 

Proverbs – Today in Proverbs chapter 17 verse 24 we will read – “A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” This is a powerful little Proverb. I have been thinking about this quite a bit in recent weeks. I have found that sometimes the world can be so tempting – or maybe distracting is another way to say it. I have found that I have lately had a lot of opportunities to go out and do “fun stuff.” Perhaps you could say I’ve been offered opportunities to “wander to the ends of the earth.” And it’s been tempting. But, I have realized that if I schedule myself 24 x 7, I don’t spend much time thinking about God at all. Reading the Bible? Maybe I can skip it for today. . . And praying for others?? Forget about it. I’m just afraid that we can spend our lives being so distracted that we will lose sight of wisdom. We absolutely need to keep wisdom in view each and every day. That is why I love the One Year Bible format in so many ways – it provides each of us with at least 15 minutes of wisdom in our lives each day! How about you? How are your days being spent currently? Are you feeling distracted? Are you keeping wisdom in view each and every day? Do you see the wisdom in spending quality time with God each and every day? Do you see the wisdom in not taking any “spiritual vacations”? (Spiritual vacations are a very bad idea. . . even when you go on a regular vacation, please bring God with you!)  Like this Proverb teaches us today, let us keep wisdom in view and not let our eyes foolishly wander to the ends of the earth!

Worship Video: Today’s Psalm reminds me of the Nicole C. Mullen song “Call on Jesus:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Mbj5UUWwI

Have you called on Jesus?  Click here and make the Call! 

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” Proverbs 17:24 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are discerning and learning wisdom daily from the Word of God. Pray that your eyes and your heart is not foolishly wandering to the ends of the earth.

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.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

II Kings 6-7:20

Ah, the story of the Arameans being trapped by “blindness” is awesome and shows how lacking in common sense men of military training and political leaders can be. If the king’s officers really believed that Elisha knew everything the king did, why would you set out to capture him, would not one think he would know what you are doing? Whether their assumption was true or not common sense, if one had any, would dictate the prophet would know you were coming to get him.

I am amazed how blinded to Truth we humans can be. There were plenty of times in my life that God showed himself to me either with incidents like the Arameans experienced or receiving clear words of direction and warnings from what I now know was God, yet a chose not to believe. According to Proverb’s definition, I was just a plan ordinary garden variety “fool.” Praise God for His Redemptive work on Calvary. Amazing Grace how sweet …

Interesting this official of the king who was trampled to death. He in essence said, “Seeing is believing!” when told about the sudden drop in the price of commodities, that seeing he just had to do to believe, killed him. Somewhere in that is a warning for us. I heard a preacher/teacher once say, “No, seeing is not believing, seeing is knowing. We see because we believe so believing is seeing.”

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3 NIV)
Acts 15:36-16:15

This disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, IMHO, appears to have been orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. With the break-up of the team, one evangelistic ministry became two! I believe, no, I know that each and every person upon this earth has a purpose that has been designated before the foundation of the earth. When we allow the Holy Spirit to direct us we may wind up like Paul and Barnabas, at odds with each other each thinking the other is wrong and out of line. Because each person is hearing differently, and of course each believes that what they heard in their hearing must also be what the other heard so the other is being disobedient, we clash or worse, someone submits wrongly to the vision of the other and follows along. Then major frustration and resentment develops in the others life.

Today’s reading also goes on to show how when we have an agenda set to do something in ministry, the Holy Spirit is not shy about inserting True plans. It is our job to listen intently to what the Spirit is saying and change course. We mess up when we ignore the Spirit and do our own thing and fail. Then we wonder where God is. “Hey God don’t you know I’m trying to do your work!” In reality, we need to be doing God’s work His way if it is any other way we are doing “Our work our way.”

Psalm 142:1-7

This Psalm is one I believe I need to incorporate into my prayer life, often. I just realized how universal, crossing time and space, these Psalms really are. The condition of man’s heat really has not changed since the Fall of man in the Garden. The tools we have to sin with may have become new and improved, but the sinning, the despair, the desperation and emptiness remains the same, without God.

Proverbs 17:24-25

In reading this verse, 24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth,” it just crossed my mind that if our eyes wonder, we will wonder and thus we are unstable. Loyalty, a characteristic we humans desire in our relationships are usually not based on “Truth” which is the only stable thing upon this earth, but based on personalities, family relationships and such like. But unless the person we have given our loyalties too is grounded on the Word of God, our unconditional loyalty to folks will also carry us to the “ends of the earth.” Yikes! This is something I must really think about for a while. Loyalty and unconditional love I don’t believe should be the same thing, have I confused the two.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Ann:

Father I thank you for placing within the heart of Mike a desire to lead and encourage others to read Your Word daily, which brings an immeasurable richness to each and every life that comes to this site. I thank you God for his daily comments and insights that cause us to think, contemplate and dig deeper into Your Word.

Protect him and guide him with Your Wisdom and Truth may no harm befall him, may want not crouch at his door. Impart to him daily Your strength to live each day following after You.

Watch over each and every person who enters this portal and make everyone studying Your Word a light to a dead and dying nation. In this I pray in Jesus’ mighty and glorious name, Amen
Ann

====== Ramona:

====== Anka:

On axeheads…sometimes it amazes me how God takes an interest in seemingly unimportant issues…I missed an appointment(that was important to me but had nothing to do with “spiritual” issues) to go to a messianic service and God made sure another door opened up…Thank God for weekends:).During the week I usually don’t have time to got through the commentaries but today I did.I raised some questions on Naaman which John (thanks a lot)answered and reading through Bob’s comments on Naaman was like a confirmation…Like Ramona pointed out,God’s mercy is truly awesome….Jesus’ teachings on blessing your enemies shows up here when the Syrian soldiers were fed in Samaria….
On spiritual vacations….I will be changing continents on friday….so will miss out on my regular prayer meetings and fellowships.I sure do hope the internet service has improved where I’m going but I know like Lydia….where there’s a heart that’s longing for God,there’s always a God that fulfills that longing…
God bless you all
Anka

====== Amy:

I love the floating axe story and the care God shows for seemingly trivial matters. I didn’t realize that iron was such a big deal back then so that makes a lot more sense. I also love the deception that caused the entire Aram army to run away, leaving the Isrealites freed from their enemies. It is a great story that illustrates how circumstances don’t hinder the God of the universe.

Amy

====== Megan:

I just realized when the people were eating their children, the king still had horses to send out with chariots… wow. God is truly patient with us.

Megan

====== Florence:

======= John:

2Kings7:2
“Look, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?”
The king’s officer doubted the prophecy, and his doubt was based on several faulty premises.
i. First, he doubted the power of God. If God willed it, He certainly could make windows in heaven and drop down food from the sky for the hungry, besieged city of Samaria.
ii. Second, he doubted the creativity of God. In the mind of the king’s officer, the way food could come to the city was from above, because the city was surrounded by a hostile, besieging army. He had no idea that God could bring provision in a completely unexpected way. “How often faith breaks down in this way! It knows that God is, and that He can act. But it only sees one way, and refuses to believe that such a way will be taken. The supply came without the opening of heaven’s windows.” (Morgan)
iii. Third, he doubted the messenger of God. Though the promise was admittedly hard to believe, the king’s officer could have and should have believed it because it came from a man with an established track record of reliability.
iv. All in all, the officer well illustrates the conduct of unbelief:
· Unbelief dares to question the truthfulness of God’s promise itself.
· Unbelief says, “This is a new thing and cannot be true.”
· Unbelief says, “This is a sudden thing and cannot be true.”
· Unbelief says, “There is no way to accomplish this thing.”
· Unbelief says, “There is only one way God can work.”
· Unbelief says, “Even if God does something, it won’t be enough.”
John

======= Vance:

2 Kings 6 (NKJV)
6
So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float.
7
Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So he reached out his hand and took it.
I like this quote By: Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M. based on this passage above.
“How many times I have wished that God would do the job Himself, supernaturally, and not leave any of the hard work to me. But what we read in our text is very true to the way God works. He provides us with the means—the tools—to do what He has purposed, and then He expects us to labor to accomplish it.
These “tools” are not just material things, like axe heads, but are divine enablements such as spiritual gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12:1ff.).”
Excellent comment.
2 Kings 6 (NKJV)
9
But the prophet sent this message to the king, “Make sure you don’t pass through this place because Syria is invading there.”
Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M. makes a very interesting and thought-provoking comment:
“Wars are commenced, but they are supernaturally terminated in a way that prevents the loss of human life. I believe I know how this unique period of time can be explained. Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, is healed of his leprosy, and he is drawn to faith in the God of Israel (2 Kings 5)… [S]urely he does not wish to engage the Israelites in battle. Can’t you just see this man, kneeling in prayer, beseeching God to keep him from going to war with His people? I believe the answers to his prayers are described in 2 Kings 6 and 7.”
2 Kings 6 (NKJV)
16
He replied, “Don’t be afraid, for our side outnumbers them.”
God’s nature is to be victorious, and He has given us His victory. Jesus died so we can know His victory.
This reminds me of a song by Words and Music: Jim Gum, Jay LaVergne © 1998, called “He Walked That Road”:
He stumbled on his way, Just like I’ve done
Yet his gaze was fixed, On the great beyond
Beneath a crown of thorns, I saw his bloody face
Beaten by the hands, Of this fallen race
CHORUS:
He walked that road for me, He took my place
He wiped out my regrets, And didn’t leave a trace
He walked that road for you, To set you free
He walked that road for you and me
Acts 16 (NKJV)
6
Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
7
After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit [of Jesus] did not permit them.
NOTE:
I was curious: Where was Bithynia? According to http://www.encyclopedia.com:
“BITHYNIA [Bithynia], ancient country of NW Asia Minor, in present-day Turkey.”
Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia) provides further information:
“The most important cities were Nicomedia and Nicea, which disputed with one another the rank of capital…”
“…at a much earlier period the Greeks had established on the coast the colonies of Cius (afterwards Prusias, modern Gemlik); Chalcedon (modern Kadıköy)…”
I am unsure why the Lord Jesus would stop such devoted servants of the Lord—who literally gave up all for the Gospel—from entering into Bithynia.
Yet, the Lord Jesus—being sovereign—is working out His perfect plan.
It is interesting to note is that even though the Apostle Paul and his companions were not allowed to go to Bithynia, God later used Christians this area to bless all Christians and the world with the clear and definitive affirmation that: Jesus is Lord!
For it was at Nicea and Chalcedon that two (2) major creeds of the Christian church were formed.
The Council of Nicea answered the question of Arius: If Jesus is the Son of God, how can he be God? The council of Nicea established officially what the Lord Jesus had taught and what the Church had been teaching from the beginning: Jesus is fully God.
Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia) mentions this interesting historical footnote: “The first Nicene Council was probably held in the now ruined mosque of Orchan.” The power of the Gospel has won, and will win, over opposing beliefs.
This will happen as we pray, walk in the Word by the power of the Spirit, and enter into the spiritual boldness that Elisha knew.
The Council of Chalcedon later established that Jesus is fully human. According to Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia): “Monophysitism (from the Greek monos meaning ‘one, alone’ and physis meaning ‘nature’) is the christological position that Christ has only one nature, as opposed to the Chalcedonian position which holds that Christ has two natures, one divine and one human.”
Jesus is fully human and fully God. These life-giving truths were taught by the Lord Jesus, believed by the apostles and by the 1st century church. Only the true Jesus can provide true, real salvation and can make us pleasing to the Father.
So…the Gospel marches on. May we enter into the flow of the power of the Gospel!
Vance

2 Kings 4:18-5:27 + Acts 15:1-35 + Psalm 141:1-10 + Proverbs 17:23
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Interesting readings in 2 Kings 4 about the Shumanite woman, her son and the prophet Elisha today!  You’ll note that in verse 20 her son dies, and in verse 21 she places her son on Elisha’s bed – in part so that no one will know that her son died.  As she gets to verse 22-24 she is saddling up on a donkey to go straight to Elisha without anyone in her family knowing her son had died!  Below is a painting by Rembrandt from 1640 titled “The Departure of the Shumanite Woman”:

As the Shumanite woman nears Mount Carmel Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, comes out to greet her and still she won’t even tell him that her son has died!  She says everything is fine.  She wants to deliver the news first and directly to Elisha!  I like this woman’s focused faith.  She knew that Elisha delivered the Word that she would have a son in previous day’s readings, and now that her son had died, I think she had faith that Elisha, being a prophet in relationship with God, would be able to revive her son.  Do you have a focused faith like this when it comes to your relationship with God and Jesus?  Do you always take your problems directly to the One who can truly revive you?  Below is an image of Elisha and the Shumanite woman by artist C.F. Vos:

Did anyone else notice that at the end of chapter 4 today Elisha busted out with a miracle that seemed to foreshadow Jesus’ loaves and fishes miracles??  Very cool to consider the parallels between Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 and Elisha feeding 100 here in chapter 4 verses 42-44: “One day a man from Baal-shalishah brought the man of God a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread made from the first grain of his harvest. Elisha said, “Give it to the group of prophets so they can eat.” “What?” his servant exclaimed. “Feed one hundred people with only this?” But Elisha repeated, “Give it to the group of prophets so they can eat, for the LORD says there will be plenty for all. There will even be some left over!” And sure enough, there was plenty for all and some left over, just as the LORD had promised.” (That’s Jesus below, not Elisha 🙂

In chapter 5 we get to the story of the healing of Naaman.  I found it very interesting that Naaman needed to humble himself and wash up in the waters of the lowly river Jordan!  Know anyone else that did some “washing up” in the river Jordan??  🙂  Maybe all of us somehow need to humble ourselves and symbolically be washed up in the river Jordan to receive true healing?  Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of the prophet Elisha with Naaman washing in the river Jordan:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Second Kings readings titled “The Shunammite’s Son Resurrected” is at this link, “Death in the Pot” is at this link, “The Miracle of the Bread” is at this link, “The Healing of Namaan” is at this link, and “The Sin of Covetousness” is at this link.

New Testament – Peter’s teaching at The Council at Jerusalem in Acts 15 verse 11 is one of the most important verses that all of us should really meditate upon and know and believe: “We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the special favor of the Lord Jesus.” Do you believe Peter here?  Do you believe this to be true?  Does this simple message of this little button below ring true to you?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “The Jerusalem Council: The Gospel Defined and Defended” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 141 is a beautiful prayer of David’s – praying for deliverance from the wicked and their ways.  Verse 4 is powerful – “Don’t let me lust for evil things; don’t let me participate in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do evil.” Is this a prayer you could incorporate into your prayer life?   What might be some examples of “delicacies of those who do evil”?  Will you pray to God to avoid these “delicacies” and “treasures” that will ultimately fail you?

Proverbs – Proverbs 17:23 today teaches us: “The wicked accept secret bribes to pervert justice.” This should be a reminder to each of us to never accept bribes!  Bribes always pervert justice…

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the beautiful song by Josh Wilson called “Before the Morning:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK9zt55tCh0

Are you awaiting the Morning dawn in your spiritual life?   Click here for a new day! 

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat of their delicacies.” Psalm 141:4 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your heart is not drawn to what is evil. Pray that you take no part in wicked deeds. Pray that you do not eat the delicacies of evildoers.

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.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

======= Vance:

I am still thinking and meditating on the devotional from yesterday, J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M. The Rebellion of the Moabites (2 Kings 3:1-12).
~~~
It is an honor for me to regularly minister and to be part of a group called, “In His Image” which is a men’s accountability group dedicated to helping one another walking in purity of heart, mind, marriage, and life.
The past is the present. The call to live in true purity of spirit, mind, life, and marriage is God’s call to Himself. If we do not live in purity, then we will be worshiping a false god. Just like the Moabites and many of the Israelites at the time.
I particularly like these notes by J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M. based on 2 Kings 3:
“In the passage before us, Jehoram was faced with the rebellion of the Moabites, one of the long-standing enemies of God’s people. It was Balak, king of Moab, who years before had sought the aid of the prophet Balaam in his attempt to get God to curse Israel.”
What is Baalism? This relates directly to the “Da Vinci Code”, as this book emphasizes a worldview that is consistent with Baalism. I found this most excellent information I wanted to share with you.
Source: http://www.leannepayne.org/home/index.php
“[Dan] Brown’s main purpose, precisely as Canon Dr. Michael Green writes in The Books the Church Suppressed: Fiction and Truth in The Da Vinci Code, is twofold:
1) to make the case for a revival of paganism, which embraces the “sacred feminine” and … is very much the goddess Gaia concept of New Age thought….Such is the ideology of Monism, as much present in Brown’s book as it is in Eastern Hindu thought.
2) not only to advance the feminist principle of paganism, but to attack Christianity directly. In order to do this he has to undermine the authority of the New Testament records…making use of the Gnostic gospels.
In his comprehensive but wonderfully readable book, Dr. Green tells of debating Duncan Greenlees, a modern “real live Gnostic,” who stated on BBC Radio:
“Gnosticism is a system of direct experiential knowledge of God, the Soul of the Universe. In the early centuries of this era, among a growing Christianity, it took on the form of the Christian faith, while rejecting most of its specific beliefs. ITS WORDING IS THEREFORE LARGELY CHRISTIAN, WHILE ITS SPIRIT IS THAT OF THE LATEST PAGANISM OF THE WEST.”
NOTE THOSE FINAL WORDS: “ITS SPIRIT IS THAT OF THE LATEST PAGANISM OF THE WEST.” THAT IS A VERY ACCURATE ASSESSMENT. IT WAS THE SHREWDNESS OF THE EARLY FATHERS THAT SAW THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS THREAT, AND THAT IS WHY THEY ATTACKED GNOSTICISM SO ROBUSTLY.
Never since the early centuries of the Christian church has there been a greater attack on the holy Scriptures and the divinity of Christ as we in the West now see. Baal and Ashtoreth worship is now fully established, even in America.
NOW THAT GNOSTICISM AS NEW AGE PAGANISM IS SEEN FOR THE BLATANTLY PERVERTED AND SEXUALLY IDOLATROUS ENDS IT SERVES, SLEEPY CHRISTIANS WHOSE LAMPS HAVE RUN LOW ON OIL MUST BEGIN TO READ THE SCRIPTURES WITH NEW EYES.
CHRISTIANS MUST BE ENLIGHTENED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BY THEIR OWN PRICELESS CHRISTIAN HISTORIES AND DOCTRINES THAT THEY HAVE, IN THE WEST’S MATERIALISTIC CULTURE, SO WEAKLY DEFENDED AND LOST SIGHT OF.
Our freedoms as Christians, hard bought in the West, are swiftly being lost, and people are waking up to the fact that our nations are at stake in this battle. We hardly recognize the culture we are now living in, the tower of Babel loosed by the paganisms that have so wantonly been allowed to come in.
Dr. Green sounds the warning all Christians must hear in showing where the “sacred feminine” is leading. These are only a few excerpts from this valuable book, and it is with thanks to Monarch Books that special permission is given to quote them:
We get nearer to the essence of Brown’s position in the most graphic scene in the book. It is what Brown calls the hieros gamos, the “sacred marriage”, where masked men and women engage in a sexual orgy. His hero explains that this is not really about eroticism but rather a very ancient ceremony designed by the ancient Egyptians to promote fertility. It was here that the participants encountered the god. The man could achieve knowledge of the divine through orgasm, and the woman through the miracle of childbearing. He says, “The ability of the woman to produce life from her womb made her sacred. A god.”
Leanne Payne
~~~
MY NOTE: The clarity of truth as well as emotional, mental, and spiritual freedom of the Gospel FOR ALL CHRISTIANS IN ALL LANDS is precious.
All Christians everywhere have a stake in knowing and defending the Truth of the Gospel against the lies of Baalism and sexual immorality.
I end with this quote by J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M. The Rebellion of the Moabites (2 Kings 3:1-12).
“Many today have a knowledge of God; they believe that He exists; they may even believe in His Son, but they just do not take Him at His word. Many play at their religious life. During the week, by their own viewpoint, priorities and language, they act as though God were not even involved. On Sunday they do their little ‘nod to God,’ but for the rest of the week it is business as usual.”
Vance

======= Raeann:

GOD’S HOUSE
Arrive at church at eight
Say hello to everyone as I walk towards the Sanctuary
The Pastor gives the weekly announcements
Greet everyone in the pews
Sing hymns and listen to the chior
Pastor gives a sermon
Say the Lords Prayer
Pastor says the Benediction
Leave the Sanctuary
Say hello to the pastor at the door
Get cookies in Fellowship Hall
Go back to the Sanctuary to pass out programs
Say hello to people as they walk past the Sanctuary doors
Pass out programs as people enter the Sanctuary
Close the Sanctuary doors when the Praise team begins to sing
Walk through the church towards the nursury
Stop in Fellowship hall to get cookies for the nursery
Say hello to Merredith and Beth
Play games with Austin and Nathan
Play with McDonald food
Play with horses in barn
Pick up cars, toys and dolls fifty times LOL
Austin and Nathan’s moms arrive to take them home
Talk with them for a few minutes
Everything is going good with both of them
Everyone leaves the nursery
Now it is time to start picking up and organizing the toys on the shelves
Once that is all completed
I can sit and read my Bible for the rest of the time in the nursery
Leave church at half past eleven
An active morning in GOD’S HOUSE

-Raeann

======= Barbara:

My second blog comment. I like the Israelite servant girl whom God sent to live with Aramites, basically unbelievers. She must have been treated kindly and suggested good advice for her master, Namaan. I love how God uses us wherever we are to glorify Him, another example Daniel working for Babylon government!
Barbara

2 Kings 3:1-4:17 + Acts 14:8-28 + Psalm 140:1-13 + Proverbs 17:22
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – In 2 Kings 3 verse 3 today we are reminded that King Jeroboam’s legacy is held out as a unfavorable legacy… “Nevertheless he (Joram) continued in the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led the people of Israel to commit.”  That is an interesting thing to think about – a legacy.  Jeroboam’s legacy was obviously not one we’d like to have.  So, what type of legacy would you like to have?  And what type of legacy are you in fact leaving these days?  The more I think about my legacy, the more I simply hope and pray that my legacy is something along the lines of “one who loved God and loved people.”  Pretty simple really.  But also really tough in our modern world full of so many distractions!  And I am not so sure that I am really leaving this legacy some days.  I don’t want to pursue this type of legacy for the wrong reasons – for any sort of appearing “righteous” or prideful reasons.  But I in fact I really do want to spend the rest of my days simply loving God and loving people.  Whatever else I do – career, ministry, whatever – pales in comparison to loving God and loving people.  I even hesitate to write this hope for a legacy on this blog – I feel like I should go back and delete everything I just wrote.  Except – I think this might be the type of legacy we are called to as Christians.  Remember the two great commands Jesus gave us in Matthew 22:37 & 39 – “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love God and love people.  So – whaddya think?  Is this a good legacy for us to aim for?  Should we be aiming for a legacy at all?  What will your legacy be?

2 Kings 4 verse 8 definitely demonstrates that in addition to being a prophet, Elisha was a very wise man!  “One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy woman lived there, and she invited him to eat some food. From then on, whenever he passed that way, he would stop there to eat.”   🙂

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s 2 Kings readings titled “The Rebellion of the Moabites” is at this link,  “Elisha Prepares to Hear God’s Word” is at this link, “The Victory Over Moab” is at this link, “God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty” is at this link, and “The Shunammite Woman Receives a Son” is at this link.

New Testament – Wow… amazing readings today… Do you see the depth and strength and love of Paul’s faith in verses 19 & 20 – “Now some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and turned the crowds into a murderous mob. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, apparently dead. But as the believers stood around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.”  Paul is stoned and then gets back up and keeps going forward in his ministry for God!  Next thing you know he is praying and fasting for elders in churches – after nearly getting stoned to death!  I want a faith like that…  Also, it is wonderful to read in today’s readings how Paul and Barnabas tear their garments because they are so distressed that people were worshiping them as if they were gods!  Would we react so quickly to stop people from worshiping us today I wonder… ?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “Mission Accomplished” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 140 is a prayer for deliverance from evil.  And this Psalm certainly should be a good reminder of the Lord’s Prayer, where we pray – “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”  What is the one thing that can truly deliver us from evil?  Can we deliver ourselves from evil on our own?  Or do we need something beyond ourselves for this deliverance?

Verse 7 in this Psalm gives each of us something to consider and should be an encouragement: “O Sovereign LORD, my strong savior, you protected me on the day of battle.”   Do you believe God is your strong savior who will protect you from evil on the day of battle?  Do you believe that perhaps every day is a day of battle?  Do you believe that Satan or evil ever rests in attempting to tempt people?  Should we pray for protection from evil on a very regular basis?  The Lord’s Prayer / Our Father is one great way to do this each day…

From 1928’s Book of Common Prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”  Lord, teach us how to pray…

Proverbs – Proverbs 17 verse 22 for some reason reminds me of Paul again from today’s Acts readings: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”  Think back again to Paul being nearly stoned to death in today’s readings.  Think he would have a good “reason” to have a broken spirit after something like that happened to him?  But…. we see what he goes and does for the Kingdom just after that tragic incident!  My hunch is that Paul had a very cheerful heart – because he was in such close relationship with Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit.  And his cheerful heart was certainly good medicine for him.  He did not allow himself to have a broken spirit – even after nearly being stoned to death!  Seriously, Paul is amazing – but don’t worry, I’m not worshiping him… 🙂  I am just amazed at how in love he was with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit – and how he let that love guide him and propel him forward no matter what.  So, back to this Proverb – do you think it is possible for us at times to “decide” whether to have a cheerful heart or a broken spirit?  All of us have something bad happen at some time or another.  Is it possible that we can “decide” to be cheerful or broken after something bad happens to us?  If it is possible to be cheerful after something bad happens to us, why?  I think we could learn from Paul’s example.  If we are so close in relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I pray we can weather any storm that life might bring.  Any storm.  Do you believe this is true?

Worship Video: 2nd Kings today reminds me of the song “Legacy” by Nichole Nordeman:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah1COE39ARs

Do you want to leave a legacy?  Click here for the true Legacy!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your heart is cheerful, through the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit living within you through your faith in Jesus. Pray that you encourage others in their spiritual journeys to have cheerful hearts as well. Pray that you will minister to those in your life with a crushed spirit.

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.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

====== Anka:

A note on circumcision and the law…1(A)Some men came down from Judea and began teaching (B)the brethren, “Unless you are (C)circumcised according to (D)the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Now,some translations say”some of the sect of the pharisees,while others say some of the believers….When we say Paul was the founder of christianity,we need to ask”by whose definition”?Man’s or Gods.Circumcision was a seal of righteosness for Abraham,we know that Abraham believed in God and it was credited to him as righteousness…As believers we have the seal and guidance of the Holy Spirit who will lead us to ALL truth,if we let Him.I always asked myself this question…if Israel was called out to be separate,given a set of rules which Jesus Himself said He had not come to abolish(Mat5:17),if God doesn’t change and wants us to be one body(jews and gentiles then then God change His rules to suit us…In the past,His laws were both to the jew and the aliens who lived among Israel,now as grafted in branches(romans 11) do we change the original tree….or become one with the original,natural olive tree.Jesus was brought up according to jewish law,circumcised,attended the feasts His Father had ordered(doesn’t mention his supoosed birthday on christmas)and upheld the commandments…Did God give a set of rules to change them….or did man have a better idea on how to worship God….There are many misunderstandings,some texts say the law was abolished and we are not to keep the law,Timothy and Titus who had greek heritage were circumcised…Pater when faced with having to kill and eat unclean animals said(after the resurrection)that he would not eat any unclean thing…now that dream was interpreted in acts to mean he could go into the house of a gentile…but if it did mean he could eat what God had not considered food but “unclean”how come Jesus never taught him that in three years,surely if Peter had seen Jesus eat pork then he would have changed his mind about what’s food and what’s unclean.The pharisees had added a bit more to the Law….rituals on how to wash your hands,the distance you were allowed to walk on the Sabbath that were not part of God’s law…Jesus came to teach and explain what the teachers of the law had complicated….so if He did according to the law(even sent the lepers to present themselves to the priests according to the law)…who are we to follow..our church fathers who have done as good a job as the teachers in distorting the word,helped by bad translations…or do we ask the Holy Spirit to teach us the Truth..I pray that we find the Truth and that it may set us free…. “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time,” declares the LORD.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people…….
11Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.
…..abolishing the law….if now we are brought near,now we are not excluded from the citizenship of Israel….if now we are one with Israel in whose heart God will write the law..then later abolish it….it just doesn’t make sense..God doesn’t contradict Himself…He says we should ask for wisdom and I pray you are challenged in your study to seek the Truth and let the Holy Spirit teach us all because God sure isn’t the author of confusion….
God bless you all
Anka

====== Reuben:

Good thoughts today, Mike.
Reuben

====== Billy:

Mike, I think your legacy would be just perfect.
Billy

2 Kings 1:1-2:25 + Acts 13:42-14:7 + Psalm 139:1-24 + Proverbs 17:19-21
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we begin the book of Second Kings!

Author: Unknown
Date: Sixth century B.C.
Content: Second Kings covers a period of approximately 250 years during which time two national tragedies occurred. In 722 B.C. the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed by the Assyrians, and in 586 B.C. the southern kingdom of Judah was destroyed by the Babylonians. The reigns of the various kings are described in some detail with care being taken to show the spiritual significance of what they were doing. Throughout this whole time of good and bad kings, war and peace, prosperity and ruin, God is seen to be at work, in particular sending prophets to preach his word and warn of judgment to come.
Theme: God’s control over the affairs of men and nations is constantly seen throughout this book. The rulers of men may think they are in control, but even the enemies of God’s people fit into God’s plan by executing judgment upon the wayward nations of Israel and Judah. It must be stressed that sin invariably brings judgment upon the people and righteousness brings God’s blessing. Second Kings also shows that God never sends his judgment without a warning first; in this instance, the warning came through the prophets who were sent. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 6-7) More commentary on Second Kings is at these 3 links –
https://bible.org/article/introduction-books-first-and-second-kings
https://bible.org/article/argument-first-and-second-kings 
https://bible.org/seriespage/1-introduction-and-historical-setting-elijah (Introduction to Elijah)

2 Kings 1 today…  wow…  Elijah is not to be messed with when he is sitting on top of that hill!  Elijah asks a very poignant question twice in this chapter – “Is there no God in Israel?” This is a question each of us will need to ask in our lives at some point – “Is there or is there no God in my life?”  Hopefully we’ve already answered this question affirmatively.  It’s a sad state of affairs to imagine a country without God.  It is a sad state of affairs to imagine our own lives without God. 

Today in 2 Kings 2 we read about Elijah going up to heaven in the whirlwind!  Elijah was taken to heaven without dying.  He is the 2nd person in scripture to do so – Enoch was the first (see Genesis 5:21-24).  Jesus of course was also taken to heaven in bodily form after His resurrection from the dead (see Acts 1:9).  Below is Italian artist Giovanni Battista’s (1683-1754) painting of Elijah’s whirlwind scene:

Okay, so 2 Kings 2 verses 23 & 24 are some of the most unique verses in the Bible no doubt…  “Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. “Go away, you baldhead!” they chanted. “Go away, you baldhead!” Elisha turned around and looked at them, and he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them.”  Zondervan’s NIV Study Bible has some good commentary on these verses as follows: “The youths from Bethel no doubt assumed that Elisha was going up to Samaria to continue Elijah’s struggle against royal apostasy.  Some believe that the youths, in their mocking, were telling Elisha to ascend to heaven as Elijah had done.  By calling Elisah “baldhead” the youths from Bethel expressed that city’s utter disdain for the Lord’s representative, who, they felt, had no power.  Elisha pronounced a curse that gave warning of the judgment that would come on the entire nation of Israel should it persist in disobedience and apostasy.”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s 2 King’s readings titled “Chariots of Fire” is at this link and “Elisha’s Accreditation” is at this link and “Elisha and the Two Bears” is at this link.

New Testament – Great readings today about how Paul and Barnabas’ ministry to the Gentiles was growing!  Verse 52 is awesome: “And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

Psalms – Today we read Psalm 139! I LOVE this Psalm… and had somehow forgotten about it.  Is this Psalm anyone’s favorite Psalm out there?  I would not doubt it if was.  This is just an incredibly beautiful Psalm about how much God loves and cares for us.  And just how well God knows us.  Please read and re-read this Psalm this week if you can.  And rejoice in how much God loves you and how much he knows you. Each of the verses in this Psalm are incredible.  I’ll highlight a few.  Verse 3 – “You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.”  Do you believe that God charts out your path for you?  Do you believe that God gives you true rest?  Do you believe God knows where you are every single moment of your life?

Verses 13 & 14 – “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous–and how well I know it.”  Do you believe that God was loving and caring and creating you in your mother’s womb?  Are you amazed by the complexity and wonder of the human body?  Could it be anything other than the marvelous workmanship of a loving and creative and living God?  (next two images below courtesy of heartlight.org)

And verses 23 & 24 to close out the Psalm: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”  Do you consistently ask God to search your heart and mind?  Do you confess to God what is not right in your heart and mind?  What needs healing?  Do you ask God to even point out to you things that you may not realize are destructive to you and others in your heart and mind?  Do you believe that this process of confessing your sins to God and asking for forgiveness and healing will lead you along the path of everlasting life?

Proverbs – Proverbs 17 verse 20 stood out to me today – “The crooked heart will not prosper.”   Do you believe this is true?  What would make a heart crooked?  Whom can heal a crooked heart?  Jesus?  Has Jesus healed your heart yet?  Will you let Him do so?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in 2 Kings reminded me of the awesome song, “Days of Elijah!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDf6PtSckio

Are these the days of Elijah for you?  Click here to meet Elijah’s God!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14 NIV

Prayer Point: Praise God for making you in your mother’s womb. Praise God for His wonderful works. Pray that your inmost being is living fully for God today and forevermore.

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.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

====== Tina:

Mike…wow…thanks for this. I am on my second time through the One Year Bible plan and wish I had stumbled across this site way before now!

Tina

====== Anka:

Elisha left everything behind to follow Elijah and refused to leave him even at the last moment…God honoured his loyalty.
So many times men of God are treated with disrespect,critised…again and again God shows us his displeasure at such acts…
I was suprised to see in the NT reading that “the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region”…God fearing people against God’s people…hmmm…guess it was God fearing without disernment..
It’s pretty awesome that God knows our hearts,our thoughts and still loves us…this really should make me think twice before judging anyone…
God bless you all
Anka

====== Caryn:

======= John:

2Kings1
“You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die:”
This was the same message Elijah gave to the men Ahaziah sent to inquire of Baal-Zebub. The message from God did not change just because Ahaziah didn’t want to hear it the first time.
In fact, this was a mercy to Ahaziah. God told him something that few people know – that his death was imminent and that he had time to repent and prepare to meet God. – David Guzik
2Kings2
“Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me”
The idea of a double portion was not to ask for twice as much as Elijah had, but to ask for the portion that went to the firstborn son, as in Deuteronomy 21:17. Elisha asked for the right to be regarded as the successor of Elijah, as his firstborn son in regard to ministry. Yet Elisha had already been designated as Elijah’s successor (1 Kings 19:19). This was a request for the spiritual power to fulfill the calling he already received.
“He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him:”
Think of what it was like for Elisha to pick up that mantle. The mantle did not fall from heaven and rest on his shoulders; he had to decide to pick it up and put it on. He had to decide: do I really want to put this on? Elijah’s ministry was one of great power, but also of great pressure and responsibility.
John

======= Vance:

2 Kings 1 (NKJV)
2
Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria, and was injured; so he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.”
3
But the angel [NOTE: Or Angel] of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’
4
Now therefore, thus says the LORD: ‘You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah departed.
NOTE:
Many commentators believe that the “Angel of the Lord” is none other than the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus, i.e., Jesus appearing on earth before taking on a human body to die for our sins once for all as our Savior.
Many people say that because the “Angel of the Lord” in the OT in cross-reference verses is called God, and the “Angel of the Lord” accepts worship. No other angel would allow that, nor would that be proper.
Having said that, here is the Lord Jesus again…appearing personally to Elijah to tall Elijah to confront the Samarian king, Ahaziah, because of the king’s unbelief.
Jesus always comes to establish, seal, and confirm God’s Word.
Unbelief and allowing our hearts to wander from the love of the truth will always lead us away from the only Savior. With no Savior, there is no salvation.
I imagine that Elijah recognized the Lord Jesus when he entered the glory of heaven. I imagine that Elijah is bowing before and rejoicing with the Lord Jesus!
2 Kings 2 (NKJV)
6
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.” But he [i.e., Elisha] said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on.
NOTE:
I admire Elisha’s single-minded determination to honor his mentor and follow the Lord. May we share in that single mindedness. Jesus Himself talked about this, as in Matthew 6.
Matthew 6 (NKJV)
22
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
23
But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Acts 14 (NKJV)
3
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4
But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
NOTE:
May we spend time really praising and yielding, and then receiving and taking from the Lord Jesus all that He wants for us.
As we fully yield to Him, then we can fully complete our purpose of being here: to glorify the Lord Jesus in this world. There will be opposition, for truth always stirs up those who refuse to accept truth.
But, the truth will only lead those who love “the love of the truth” to full salvation and joy in every circumstance on earth, and heaven after life on earth.
Acts 13 (NKJV)
51
But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
52
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 139 (NKJV)
5
You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.
6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.
17
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
18
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.
23
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties;
24
And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
NOTE:
May the closeness of the Presence of God become more real to my spiritual experience every day as I meditate on the Lord and His wonderful Person. May the Presence in me, deposited there by grace draw others closer to the Presence of God and to purity.
I like this meditation on prayer from the book, “With Open Hands”, by Henri J. M. Nowen (pg 102):
“Prayer means giving up false security, no longer looking for arguments which will protect you if you get pushed into a corner, no longer setting your hope on a couple of lighter moments which your life might still offer.”
“Praying means to stop expecting from God that same small-mindedness which you discover in yourself.”
“To pray is to walk in the light of God, and to say simply, without holding back, ‘I am a man and you are God.’ At that moment, conversion occurs, the restoration of the true relationship.”
“Man is not the one who once in a while makes a mistake and God is not the one who now and then forgives. No, man is a sinner and God is love. Conversion makes this obvious with a stunning simplicity and a disarming clarity.”
Vance

======= Barbara:

Hello. My first blog comment ever. Before i started studying the bible and when my son was little, i read him The Runaway Bunny. When i first read Psalm 139 it was very familiar like i read it before. I know its a secular childrens book, and Psalm 139 is so beautiful and worth memorizing, and i cant help but wonder if book author had read Psalm 139 first.
Barbara

1 Kings 22:1-53 + Acts 13:16-41 + Psalm 138:1-8 + Proverbs 17:17-18
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link, or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we finish the book of First Kings! Second Kings begins tomorrow!  Ahab is not happy about the Arameans occupying Ramoth-gilead at the beginning of today’s readings.   A location profile of Ramoth-gilead is at this link.  Ramoth-gilead was on a hilltop that could have looked something like this:

King Jehoshaphat of Judah wisely suggests that they should consult God before going into battle against the Arameans.  At which time King Ahab of Israel trots out his 400 yes-men “prophets” who say they should definitely go to war and that they will be victorious.  I love Jehoshaphat’s reaction to these 400 yes-men in verse 7: “But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of the LORD around, too? I would like to ask him the same question.””  Ahab’s reaction in verse 8 is quite telling…  “There is still one prophet of the LORD, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.”  This verse really stands out for me in a big way in our world today.  I wonder if sometimes we – you and me – look for supposed “prophets” of the Lord that are yes-people to our particular likings – instead of looking for Truth.  Meaning…  and I’m just putting this out there, so bear with me.  Do we sometimes maybe even decide to attend a particular church because it tells us basically what we want to hear?  It keeps us in our comfortable place… we get yes-messages…  When, instead, should we be okay with attending a church that will give us some challenging and convicting messages on occasion?  Biblical messages mind you – which surely can be challenging to our modern ears at times.  I heard somewhere once before that church should be a place that “comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.”  I like that…  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I am not saying we need to be in super-strict churches per se.  I just think we should really watch for churches that are giving a yes-message all the time to our particular likings verses churches that teach the Truth.  I don’t think church is the only area of where we might default to looking for yes-messages.  I think this can happen in books we read, TV we watch, or even with friends or with work.   Are we listening to 400 yes-people in our lives or are we okay with 1 Micaiah coming in and sharing a perceived “bad-news” message?  (which may ultimately be very good news if we’ll just listen to it…  if Ahab had really listened to Micaiah’s message in today’s readings, think he still would have rushed out to battle?) Below is an image of Micaiah and the false prophets before Jehoshaphat and Ahab:

New Testament – Acts 13 is a great sermon from Paul today!  Really… this is about as good as it gets for a solid Gospel presentation.  Go Paul.  I love how he starts off in verse 16: “So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. “People of Israel,” he said, “and you devout Gentiles who fear the God of Israel, listen to me.”  You’ll note that Paul delivers this message to both Jews and Gentiles – he is preaching the Gospel for the world!  Are you really listening to Paul’s message to you in today’s readings in Acts?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Acts titled “Putting the Past in Perspective” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 138 is an awesome Psalm of thanksgiving and praise to God from David!   You’ll note that the word Temple is used in verse 2 – and of course the Temple was built by David’s son Solomon.  It is thought that David used the word Temple in reference to the tent holding the Ark of the Covenant.  Some have also thought that this Psalm possibly was written after David’s time, in the post-exile period.  Either way, it is a beautiful Psalm of praise.  Psalm 138 begins a final collection of eight “Davidic” Psalms, which are framed by songs of Praise in Psalm 138 & Psalm 145 – and Psalms 139 through 144 are six prayers.

In Psalm 138 today, verse 3 stood out to me – “When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need.”  Do you believe that God answers your prayers?  Maybe not exactly in the way you’d expect, but that they are answered?  Do you believe that God answers your prayers through encouragement and by giving you strength?

Verse 7 stood out to me as well – “Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will preserve me against the anger of my enemies. You will clench your fist against my angry enemies! Your power will save me.”  Do you believe that Jesus’ power will save you in times of trouble?  Or do you rely on your own power and maybe forget about Jesus during times of trouble?  Will you rely on Jesus, realizing that only His power will ultimately save you?

Proverbs – Proverbs 17 verse 17 is fantastic: “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”  The thing I think about here is that Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that we are his friends.  That is an amazing thing to think about.  As a friend, do you believe Jesus is always loyal to us?  Conversely, are we as Jesus’ friends, always loyal to Him?  Then, in the second half of the Proverb, as brothers and sisters in Christ, I do believe that we are to help each other in a time of need – much like a family brother or sister would help us.  Through Jesus, we become a spiritual family.  A family of brothers and sisters that is born to help each other in a time of need.  Are you available to help your brothers and sisters – both in your birth and spiritual family – during their time of need?

 

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Matt Maher’s fantastic song “Your Grace is Enough:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7dW6d2-6B0

Is God’s Grace enough for you?  Click here for Amazing Grace!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you have been forgiven of your sins, through your faith in Jesus. Pray that you have been set free from every sin and are justified by Jesus.

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.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

======= Vance:

I Kings 22 (NKJV)
8
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say such things!”
NOTE: I like this challenge and question: “I wonder if sometimes we – you and me – look for supposed ‘prophets’ of the Lord that are yes-people to our particular likings – instead of looking for Truth.”
Honestly, the temptation to do what I want instead of what God wants is there all the time. So, I must be equipped with intimacy with the Lord Jesus and spiritual weapons in Jesus’ Name to overcome in this spiritual battle.
Yet, THANK GOD!… that the core of the spiritual battle is REST in the Lord.
Psalm 37 (NKJV)
4
Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
If I “delight” in the Lord and really focus on praising Him—I will find Him to be my delight. He, as God—as the most High—is the One who can save me from sin, Satan, temptation, and deception.
Oh… to delight in and trust in the Lord with all of my heart!
~~
I Kings 22 (NKJV)
23
Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.”
NOTE:
What I have in my heart will determine my destiny. When we do not consistently and persistently seek the Lord and depend on Him because of God’s mercy, then we will be given over to the desire in our hearts.
God will give me over to what I want in my heart—whether good or evil. So I must persistently decide wisely.
Acts 13 (NKJV)
38
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
39
and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
NOTE:
THANK GOD!… for grace. I am drawn back to the verse I quoted above from Psalm 37 (NKJV):
4
Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
THANK GOD!… that I do not have to save myself through my works, through the law. THANK GOD!… that I can love the Lord with all my heart as I give myself to Him in worship and praise. God will give me the desire and ability to obey.
IN HIM is my salvation! This leads me directly to the wonderful Psalm reading today.
Psalm 138 (NKJV)
1
I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You.
7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.
8
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.
GOD IS FAITHFUL!
Vance

1 Kings 20:1-21:29 + Acts 12:24-13:15 + Psalm 137:1-9 + Proverbs 17:16
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – In 1 Kings 20 today we read about King Ahab’s battles with King Ben-hadad of Aram.  Verse 11 today was sharp! “The king of Israel sent back this answer: “A warrior still dressing for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won.””  Not a bad little saying from Ahab to Ben-hadad!  Sounds sort of like a Proverb.  Actually, this really sounds like our modern day saying of: “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!”  🙂

Alas, even though King Ahab was given victories by God’s grace in today’s readings, he goofs things up by letting King Ben-hadad of Aram go free. Then, as we get into First Kings chapter 21 today, things go from bad to worse for Ahab in terms of his relationship with God.  Chapter 21 is a sad story of Naboth and his vineyard…  Would it be safe to say that King Ahab was coveting Naboth’s vineyard?  Would Ahab be breaking a commandment in the Mosaic Law here in this image…?

I couldn’t quite remember why Jezebel was cast in such a bad light in our readings a few days ago.  Today I remember why…  It is great to see Elijah show up on the scene and say to Ahab in verse 20 – “I have come because you have sold yourself to what is evil in the LORD’s sight.” How sad.  Do you think people today can still sell themselves to what is evil in God’s sight?  Below is an image of Elijah denouncing Ahab for the evil that transpired over Naboth’s vineyard in today’s readings.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s 1 Kings readings titled “Israel’s Deliverance” is at this link and “Ahab Buys the Farm or Payday Someday” is at this link.

New Testament – Wow.  It is fun to read about Paul’s first missionary journey!  A very cool thing to note about today’s readings is that Paul started his missionary journey not after an extensive planning session / retreat / etc. (all our modern day stuff of what we have to do before embarking on something…)  No!  Paul started his missionary journey after a time of worship & fasting and being filled with the Holy Spirit!  The Spirit moved and thus Paul moved!  It was that simple.  Think we can learn something from this in our lives today?  Are you listening to the Spirit’s prompting in your life today?  What is the Spirit prompting you to do?  Will you do it?  Check out Acts 13 verses 2 and 3 that show all it took for Paul to begin his missionary journey: “One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have for them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.”

I am a huge fan of Paul’s epistles, and greatly enjoyed verses 9 through 11, which are Paul’s first words that we’ve read in Acts since his conversion on the road to Damascus – “Then Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked the sorcerer in the eye and said, “You son of the Devil, full of every sort of trickery and villainy, enemy of all that is good, will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? And now the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be stricken awhile with blindness.””  Paul was no joke!  Below is a map of Paul’s first missionary journey:

I love the way today’s Acts readings finish up in verses 14 & 15 – “Barnabas and Paul traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia.  On the Sabbath they went to the synagogue for the services. After the usual readings from the books of Moses and from the Prophets, those in charge of the service sent them this message: “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for us, come and give it!”  Uh-oh!  Think the folks in charge of the service are ready for a word from Paul and Barnabas?  🙂  Stay tuned for the word of encouragement from Paul in tomorrow’s readings!  Below is an image of Barnabas:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Acts titled “What a Way to Go” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 137 is a Psalm reflecting upon the Israelites exile in Babylon and about how much Jerusalem was missed.  We also read about a call to punish Edom for their rejoicing in the fall of Jerusalem.  Later this year we will read prophesies against Edom in the book of the prophet Obadiah.  Below is an image of ancient Jerusalem – the tower of David – that this Psalmist missed greatly:

Proverbs – Proverb 17 verse 16 is interesting to consider: “It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool who has no heart for wisdom.”   This is a great question for each of us to ask ourselves.  Today in your life – do you have a heart for wisdom?  What type of “tuition” are you paying to gain wisdom / to be educated?  Are you paying the “tuition” of time invested in studying the Bible each day?  Are you paying the “tuition” of joining a Bible study at your church?  What other types of “tuition” are you paying to gain wisdom?  Will you pray to God today for a heart for wisdom?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Acts about Paul’s missionary journey reminds me of the Britt Nicole song “The Lost Get Found:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO2prEoATH8

Are you Lost?  Click here to be Found!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “But the word of God continued to increase and spread.” Acts 12:24 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that the Word of God continues to increase and spread in our world today. Pray that you are part of helping the Word of God increase and spread.

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.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

======== Vance:

I Kings 20 (NKJV)
42
Then he said to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Because you have let slip out of your hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.’”
Psalm 137 (NKJV)
8
O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, happy the one who repays you as you have served us!
9
Happy the one who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock!
~~~
NOTE:
We reap what we sow. If we constantly greatly desire what is not right, God will give us over to the harvest that we create from the planting seeds of sin, folly, and unrighteousness. I see this both in King Ahab and in the prophecy against Babylon in Psalm 137. When an individual or a nation persists in sin, they will reap destruction. Period.
Proverbs 18 (NKJV)
20
A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Romans 1 (NKJV)
18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
~~
God had determined that the king of Samaria had reaped death from his own sin. Ahab was to be a part of God’s judgment on him.
What is interesting about this is that Ahab, himself, was not following the Lord with a pure heart. He had married a woman—Jezebel—who was an idolater. She worshiped the male god of Baal and the female goddess, and this faith system in a false god produced sexual immorality as a means of knowing this false god of Baal.
God uses leaders—even flawed and sinful leaders—to accomplish His purposes in the world. He is God, and he uses leaders available as instruments for His purposes.
~~
I Kings 20 (NKJV)
43
So the king of Israel went to his house sullen and displeased, and came to Samaria.
NOTE:
See how important our attitudes are. Ahab was like a spoiled child, given to self pity. If we allow the seeds of self pity to grow into resentment and a focus on self centeredness, we will do stupid things.
Ahab, given over to self pity, killed Naboth so he could have his field.
Self pity and envy blinds us to contentment in what God has given us already.
This reminds me of this wonderful prayer of the psalmist:
Psalm 86 (NKJV)
11
Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.
12
I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore.
~~
May we give ourselves over the Lord in prayer and surrender as the early church did in Acts 13, and as the Lord Jesus did as the Perfect Man.
Vance