Bible in a Year Blog

2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34 + Romans 9:25-10:13 + Psalm 20:1-9 + Proverbs 20:2-3
~ 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 in 2 Chronicles 18, King Ahab of Israel is not happy about the Arameans occupying Ramoth-gilead!  Unfortunately for King Jehoshaphat of Judah, he entered into a political alliance with Ahab by having his son marry Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah.  This basically bound him into going into battle with Ahab – but even worse, as we’ll read in the coming day’s readings, Ahab’s daughter Athaliah nearly kills all of the descendants of David in Judah….  more on this sad drama is coming up in chapter 22.  Ramoth-gilead was on a hilltop that could have looked something like this first image below.  The 2nd image below is a map (look to the center-right):

 

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 6 – “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 7 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 – In Romans chapter 10 verse 1 today, Paul reminded me of the modern-day ministry called Jews for Jesus: “Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is that the Jewish people might be saved.”  Paul was certainly a Jew for Jesus!  How about you – are you a Gentile for Jesus?  Or perhaps you are also a Jew for Jesus?  Whoever you are – are you for Jesus?

Below is a wonderful image courtesy of heartlight.org of Romans chapter 10 verse 4 from today’s readings:

Without a doubt, Romans chapter 10 verses 9 & 10 are the most important verses some of us will read this year and really take to heart: “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. “  Do you believe these verses to be true?  Have you prayed these verses with your heart and your mouth to God?  If not, will you today?

image courtesy of heartlight.org

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “Israel’s Failure is the Scripture’s Fulfillment” is at this link and “The Only Road to Righteousness” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 20 is a prayer for a king as he goes out into battle – check out verses 1 through 5 again and you can imagine a group of people saying these words to the king.  Maybe another way to read this Psalm, personally, is as a prayer for yourself as you go out into battle against a sin or a struggle in your life.  And this verse 5 then is for you as you go into this battle: “May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory, flying banners to honor our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers.”  Amen! Let the banners fly soon in your life!

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 20 verse 3 is such great wisdom: “Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.”  I once was a fool who insisted on quarreling with Tony back in about 3rd grade 🙂 after either I beat him or he beat me in the 50 yard dash at Field Day.  Tony kept trying to avoid the fight with me.  But I kept on pressing it.  And I got whupped!  It was really a great learning experience for me.  I have avoided fights ever since!  Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t think we are called to be submissive and let people walk all over us.  I think we can confidently and strongly hold our ground on important issues – without fighting or quarrelling.  How about you?  Do you avoid fights?  Do you realize this is a mark of honor?  Or do you insist on quarrelling?  Think this is a good idea…?

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the Aaron Shust song “My Savior My God:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UnyaQt9Dt4

Do you know our savior God? Click here for your savior!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray with your mouth and heart that Jesus is Lord. Pray in belief that God raised Jesus from the dead. Pray that you are justified and saved today!

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! : )

======= Pat:

I have to add my comment this morning because I cannot shake what the Scripture is saying to me. I keep reading and rereading 2 Chronicles 18. I feel the true meaning in 2 Chronicles 18 is not in the actions of either King Ahab of Israel or King Jehoshaphat of Judah but instead in the actions of God’s prophet Micaiah. When the messenger went to Micaiah to bring him before the king, the messenger warned Micaiah that he should agree with the other 400 prophets (vs. 12), but Micaiah insisted that he would only deliver God’s message and nothing more (vs. 13). HOWEVER, when Micaiah was actually standing before the kings, he tried to sidestep God’s message and go along with the crowd of 400 prophets that advised the king to attack Ramoth-gilead (vs. 14). When the king insisted that Micaiah swear to that in the name of the Lord (vs. 15), Micaiah finally had to admit the truth and tell the king what God had really revealed to him (vs. 16-21).

Aren’t we Christians today like Micaiah in so far as we try to sidestep the message the Holy Spirit is giving us because we are fearful, don’t want to disappoint or hurt the feelings of others, or just because we want to fit in with the crowd? Today is the day when the teachings of Christianity and Christianity itself is being challenged on all sides, and we should be standing up for God instead of sitting passively on the sidelines. What is it going to take to make us own up to the directions provided us by the Holy Spirit????

Pat

====== Ramona:

>>I feel the true meaning in 2 Chronicles 18 is not in the actions of either King Ahab of Israel or King Jehoshaphat of Judah but instead in the actions of God’s prophet Micaiah. >>

Pat may I add something to the above statement. The Word of God is multi-faceted and what is the “True” meaning for you is based on where you are at any given time. We make a big mistake thinking that when the Holy Spirit is speaking to us about a particular passage or even a behavior like a fast or prayer that he must be telling everyone in our circle: church, family, work and friends that everyone must do it. Most of the time that is not so, it is usually God speaking directly to us about something within us. Just something I learned in a been there done that situation. You may even share something with someone and even discuss it and everyone is in agreement, you think. Only latter you find out that their understanding of the use of a word or even how it applies to their lives is completely different from yours. That doesn’t make it not true.

Math is always 2+2 but our use of it and understanding of it is vastly different if one is an engineer, doctor, accountant or student and maybe someone just trying to balance their checkbook.

Ramona

====== Pat:

Ramona, I started out my comment by stating what 2 Chronicles 18 was saying directly to me this morning – not to any other person nor to the masses – just what the Holy Spirit was laying on my heart. I was only sharing what I felt deeply from the reading of this morning’s Scripture. We can all read the same Scripture and get a different emphasis from it because it is the living Word of the living Lord and he speaks to each of us individually as we read His Word. Isn’t it wonderful how our Lord takes the time to speak to each of us, His children, individually! We are so blessed to be loved by and serving the living God!!!!

God Bless!
Pat

======= Ramona:

Pat,

There was no slight intended. Because we only have access to each other’s words and cannot see body language or here voice inflections, we only have to go by the words. I also have to conclude if it appeared to me that you were making a blanket statement, then others may have thought the same thing. I am sorry no disrespect intended.

Ramona

====== Peggy:

I too agree that ,” Romans chapter 10 verses 9 & 10 are the most important verses some of us will read this year and really take to heart” – “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
If we only read this one verse in the bible this year, and believed by faith, these words. we would not need any other verse. However, if we believed these words we all would be longing for a closer walk with the Lord. Have a blessed day! Peggy

======= Jan:

======= Vance:

2 Chronicles 17

7
In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent out his officials to teach in all the towns of Judah. These officials included Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.
8
He sent Levites along with them, including Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah. He also sent out the priests, Elishama and Jehoram.
9
They took copies of the Book of the Law of the LORD and traveled around through all the towns of Judah, teaching the people.
10
Then the fear of the LORD fell over all the surrounding kingdoms so that none of them declared war on Jehoshaphat.
11
Some of the Philistines brought him gifts and silver as tribute,
and the Arabs brought
seventy-seven hundred
rams and seventy-seven
hundred male goats.

The English Standard Version (ESV) of verse 11 reads:
11
Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute,
and the Arabians also
brought him 7,700 rams
and 7,700 goats.

Eastman’s 1897 Bible Dictionary says this about Arabians in the Bible:

It was anciently divided into three parts:,
(1.) Arabia Felix (Happy Arabia), so called from its fertility. It embraced a large portion of the country now known by the name of Arabia. The Arabs call it Yemen…

(2.) Arabia Deserta, the el-Badieh or “Great Wilderness” of the Arabs. From this name is derived that which is usually given to the nomadic tribes which wander over this region, the “Bedaween,” or, more generally, “Bedouin,”

(3.) Arabia Petraea, i.e., the Rocky Arabia, so called from its rocky mountains and stony plains. It comprehended all the north-west portion of the country, and is much better known to travellers than any other portion. This country is, however, divided by modern geographers into
(a) Arabia Proper, or the
Arabian Peninsula;
(b) Northern Arabia, or
the Arabian Desert;
(c) Western Arabia, which
includes the peninsula
of Sinai and the
Desert of Petra…
In later times, this
was inhabited by the
descendants of Esau,
and known as the Land
of Edom or Idumea,
also as the Desert of
Seir or Mount Seir.

The whole land appears (Gen. 10) to have been inhabited by a variety of tribes of different lineage, Ishmaelites, Arabians, Idumeans, Horites, and Edomites; but at length becoming amalgamated, they came to be known by the general designation of Arabs. The modern nation of Arabs is predominantly Ishmaelite. Their language is the most developed and the richest of all the Semitic languages, and is of great value to the student of Hebrew.

NOTE: True devotion of the heart, life, and worship led the children of Israel in this passage enabled them to experience the reality of the one and true God (God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). This, in turn, caused the Arabs of their day to worship and bring offerings.

Would that happen today!!!

Are we willing
—not out of obligation to “earn” favor in any way—

but out of a disciplined commitment to yield ourselves to the Father so we regularly fast and pray for Arabs and Muslims?

Can you imagine what practical effec that would have on erasing terrorism in the world?

TRY TO IMAGINE THIS… in prayer !

What would happen if we decided to really get serious?… how about fasting once a week, every week, to fast and pray for Arabs and against terrorism.

Then, by God’s grace, this wonderful promise could be fulfilled IN us and THROUGH us… so many Muslims would have NO choice but to bow to Jesus as Lord and Savior !

Romans 16:20 (Amplified Bible)

And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you.

Vance

====== Erin:

have just joined – looking forward to reading and sharing. best, Erin

2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14 + Romans 9:1-24 + Psalm 19:1-14 + Proverbs 20:1
~ 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 – Today in 2 Chronicles chapter 14 we read about the early years of King Asa’s reign, including his incredible prayer to God in verse 11!  “Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God, “O LORD, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O LORD, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”  Unfortunately by the end of our readings today, in chapter 16, we read about Asa falling away from God and relying on a foreign king and physicians without any prayer for healing from God.  He replaced God in his life with mere men.  I wonder how often we do this in our lives today?  Can you think of any times in your life where you have relied on people in the place of relying on God?  How did that work out?  I do think we can rely on people certainly – if we are also relying on God more so and if God is in the midst of the relationship with the people we are relying on.  I think all would have gone well with King Asa in his later years if he had only been taught this motto that we teach our kids today: “Be a FROG!”  🙂  Fully Rely On God!  What about you in your life today?  Are you a FROG?  🙂  Let us all be FROG’s!

(apologies for the silly start to this posting today… 🙂 don’t worry, I get more serious by the time we get to Proverbs as you’ll see below…)

New Testament – Powerful readings from Paul today in Romans chapter 9!  In verse 5 we read one of the clearest statements in the New Testament about the deity of Jesus!  “Their ancestors were great people of God, and Christ himself was a Jew as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”  Paul says here that Jesus is God!  So, what say you?  Is Jesus God?

A portion of verse 6 made me think about Christians today: “Not everyone born into a Jewish family is truly a Jew!” Do you think that everyone born into a Christian family today is truly a Christian?  I know our various denominations will have various degrees / times / ceremonies that will mark becoming a Christian.  But I think many of us would agree that just because you are born into a Christian family doesn’t mean that you are necessarily Christian.  Meaning, I think there has to come a time in each of our lives where we consciously believe in faith that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.  We need to own our faith at some point – not just be a “cultural” Christian because that’s what our family and friends are.  I believe at some point in our life we need to enter into relationship with God through his son Jesus through faith.  Let us pray for our friends and family members who are perhaps currently “cultural” Christians.  Let us pray that they will enter into a loving and growing relationship with God through Jesus.  Side note – I was prayed into the Kingdom by some amazing friends!  (thanks Chad & Becky & others!)  It is true.  Prayer for your friends and family is powerful.  Please pray for them tonight…

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “Man Opposes; God Disposes” is at this link and “Divine Election is Questioned” is at this link.

Psalms – Today we read Psalm 19, which is one of my favorite Psalms! In large part this Psalm is one of my favorites because one of my former pastors taught from this Psalm 3 a few years ago in such a powerful way. Have you had this type of experience? Where you hear a sermon on a chapter of the Bible and then that chapter becomes one of your favorites? I do hope that this One Year Bible experience will allow you to tune-in a little bit more whenever you hear your pastors or ministers or priests teaching you from the Bible in church. I know this is the case with me. Thanks to reading the Bible each day, I now have better context of what is being taught from the pulpit and it makes going to church a richer experience overall. I also now often catch some Bible verses in the worship songs or hymns we sing as well. And this adds a lot to my worship of God now through music. This year, as you go through the One Year Bible and as you go to church, will you tune-in to the sermons and the songs in church more than ever and look for and appreciate how they tie in to the Bible?

 

Back to Psalm 19 – I do encourage everyone to really read through and meditate on every verse in this Psalm of David and how this Psalm might be speaking to you this week. Please do take a few minutes to go through the Psalm twice if possible and really reflect upon it. You may even want to journal to God some thoughts or ideas or prayers that come to you through reading this Psalm. I find verse 14 in this Psalm to be so powerful – again in large part because one of my former pastors often sang a worship song that simply repeats this verse over and over again – and what a beautiful prayer it is for each of us to repeat over and over again as well: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Are the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart pleasing in God’s sight? Is God your Rock? Is God your Redeemer?

Proverbs – Proverbs 20 verse 1 today reminds me of the need for and success of modern day Alcoholics Anonymous – “Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise.”  I don’t have personal experience with AA, but have heard very good things about it from several friends.  I do love the AA Serenity Prayer – I think this prayer is a great prayer for all of us – “God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.”  Amen. 

While I’m on the subject of alcohol, since the Bible brought it up and all :), mind if I go on a bit of a tangent on this subject?  Thanks.  🙂  I would be very interested to hear others views / experiences with alcohol in their lives in the Comments below.  (I know that some of our denominations have very different views on alcohol.)  I’ll share with you here that I struggled with alcohol abuse big time in my teens and early 20’s. Certainly this Proverb was true in my case – wine produced a mocker out of me.  Liquor led to brawls – oftentimes more psychological brawls than physical.  And certainly I don’t think I had the ability to be wise back in the days when I was led astray by excessive drink.  Very frankly, I nearly drank myself to death the night before I graduated college.  Alcohol poisoning / a black out got a hold of me that night.  I’ll spare you all the details, other than to say that after my near-death experience with alcohol, I knew I had a decision to make.  Keep going the way I was going and I would die.  Or go another direction.  I didn’t quite know what that other direction was or would look like, but I knew I had to go in the other direction away from alcohol / the party life.  And thankfully God led me to Him.  It took me 6 years of searching from the night I almost drank myself to death to the night when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, but it was the most important journey to undertake in my life.  (The journey to Jesus is the most important journey in all of our lives…)  So, yes, alcohol can be a dangerous thing, to say the least.  I do know many Christians who do not / never have really struggled with it.  I don’t fault anyone for drinking in moderation.  (These days I don’t drink anymore – gave it up when I became a father.)  I just know that many people reading this blog likely struggle with or know someone who struggles with alcohol.  All I know is that if alcohol is something that you are “allergic” to, stay away from it.  Don’t touch it.  Get into AA if tomorrow if you need to.  (please… do it if you need to…)  Let each of us never forget this Proverb 20:1 – “Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise.”

Worship Video:  As we’re reading Psalm 19 today, I think it’s appropriate to share this “God of Wonders and Agnes Dei” video with Third Day and Caedmon’s Call!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkv-DFmjxNU

Do you know our God of Wonders? Click here for Mr. Wonderful!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. “ Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart today is pleasing in God’s sight.

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 Chronicles 14:1-16:15

Warning, warning, warning! This is what I see in the life of Asa, a warning. Asa ruled forty-one years and of those years it seems thirty-four, possibly thirty-five Asa relied, and trusted in God. But then … Why did Asa turn and trust in the treasury of silver and gold that had been acquired because he trusted in God?

A little over 85% of his reign was a good reign. He stopped running a good race after God as he got closer to the finish line. Why did he stop?

May we not follow Asa’s example and give up and give out as we approach the finish line. Take a clue from the Apostle Paul,

For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day — and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.
(2Ti 4:6-8 NET)

Romans 9:1-24

O to have the heart for my people as Paul does for his. To grieve over those who are lost. But Paul is grieving for a people who have been given the Truth and rejected it. Giving people a precious gift and having them reject it must break the heart of God. He gave us Jesus Christ, a gift, but many after having known Him, like King Asa reject the free gift of God and turn and rely on our own strength or the strength of our substance, which belongs to God anyway ‘cause He made everything. .

Psalm 19:1-14

Yes Mike this is a sweet Psalm. Verses seven through eight are awesome and give instructions on finding ones’ true identity, for emotional and mental healing, wisdom, completeness and wholeness, insight and what so many people search for but is always elusive, joy. We look for significance in what we can afford, the people we think we know and our jobs and level of education; but David writes that all that can be found in obeying the commands and commandments of the Lord.

Proverbs 20:1

WINE IS a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; and whoever errs or reels because of it is not wise.
(Pro 20:1 AMP)

This very interesting Proverb deserves to be looked at in many ways. You can either look at wine and strong drink, in this passage, literarily, figuratively and/or symbolically.

I know a young man, a youth minister who used this Proverb as a foundation scripture for speaking to youth about sex and the “pick-up” lines guys and girls use to get it. He divides those seeking to fulfill their sexual desires into two categories, wine folk and beer or hard alcohol folk. One is cunning and smooth in their approach and the other is in your face and out there being upfront in what they want. To give in based on the type of approach and not on the commands of God is all the same in the end. You find yourself falling down, stinking drunk from the effects of a mind altering and defense lowering individual.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Hank:

2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22 + Romans 8:22-39 + Psalm 18:37-50 + Proverbs 19:27-29
~ 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 Second Chronicles chapter 11 today we read about Jeroboam appointing his own priests who served at pagan shrines and encouraged idol worship!  Think this was a smart idea…?  This led the Levites to abandon their homes in Israel and head south to Judah.  Just imagine the spiritual vacuum this departure of the Levites left in Judah… maybe this is kind of like the spiritual vacuum that happens in our lives today when we don’t go to church for a while??  🙂  This sin of Jeroboam unfortunately plays itself out over and over in the northern Kingdom until its destruction.  Below is a sad image of Jeroboam leading the Israelites into the sin of worshiping a golden calf:

Today in Second Chronicles chapter 12 we read about Egypt invading Judah.  Why?  Because Rehoboam and all of Israel abandoned God’s Law.  You will notice often in Chronicles the patterns of obedience=blessing and disobedience=punishment.  In chapter 12 we’re going into punishment…  Verse 9 tells us: “So King Shishak of Egypt came to Jerusalem and took away all the treasures of the Temple of the LORD and of the royal palace, including all of Solomon’s gold shields.”  Bible History Online says this about Shishak: “Shishak’s invasion of Judah has been confirmed by archaeologists. Shishak’s own record of his campaign is inscribed on the south wall of the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak. In his campaign he presents 156 cities of Judea to his god Amon.”  Image below is courtesy of Bible History Online and shows “Shishak Smiting His Captives”:

A map with a good overview of the Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah at this point in our readings in Second Chronicles is below:

New Testament – Tyndale’s One Year Bible Companion has a very interesting Q & A today on Romans 8 verses 24-25: “Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.” Tyndale’s commentary says:  “In Romans, Paul presents the idea that salvation is past, present, and future.  It is past because we were saved the moment we believed in Jesus Christ as Savior; our new life (eternal life) begins at that moment.  And it is present because we are being saved.  But at the same time, we have not yet fully received all the benefits and blessings of salvation that will be ours when Christ’s new kingdom is completely established.  That’s our future salvation.”   This is pretty amazing to consider that our salvation is past, present and future!  Do you appreciate being saved from your past?  Are you living fully for God in the present?  Are you waiting patiently and confidently for the future?

Today in Romans chapter 8 verses 27 through 29 we read these famous words of Paul’s: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Do you believe that we are more than conquerors through our relationship with Jesus? Does it encourage you to know this? Are you living your life in such a way that truly reflects that you know that you are more than a conqueror? Do you believe that there is absolutely nothing in this world that can separate you from the love of God because of your relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “From Groaning to Glory” is at this link and “Comforting Questions” is at this link.  A great image for Romans 8:28 from today’s readings is below:

Psalms – Today we finish up Psalm 18.  (Psalm 19 tomorrow!  So excited! 🙂  The closing verse 50 of Psalm 18 today is powerful – and I believe can apply to both David and Jesus: “You give great victories to your king; you show unfailing love to your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever.”  Are you a spiritual descendent of David?  Do you believe that God shows you unfailing love?  Do you think that God’s Word, the Bible, shows His unfailing love for you?

Proverbs – I love Proverbs 19 verse 27 today: “If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you have turned your back on knowledge.”  I am afraid that listening seems to be a lost skill in our world oftentimes today.  We have a hard time slowing down enough to actually listen to someone else.  To stop thinking about our own self and to listen to someone else.  And, if this is the case, then how much harder do you suppose it is for us to actually quiet the distractions around us to listen to God?  Have we stopped listening to instruction?  Are we turning our back on knowledge?  Now – I do think the discipline of reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word, the Bible, is something that helps us get our listening skills back in fine-tuned shape.  I do applaud you for going through the One Year Bible, so that you can listen to God on a daily basis.  But let us be ever vigilant to keep listening to instruction.  Let us not turn our backs on knowledge!

Worship Video:  I think this video and song ties in very well with the transformation we’re reading about – and hopefully experiencing – in the book of Romans.  The great thing about this video is that the artist, Brandon Heath, opens and closes the song with some great comments.  Be forewarned – this video just might make you cry…  Beautiful stuff.  Enjoy Brandon Heath’s “I’m Not Who I Was.”  And as you watch this video and listen to the song, take some time to reflect on how God has changed you over time…  Does this song tell the story of who you are today too?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrGfA6y9fNI

Are you who you were? Click here to become who you were meant to be!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving to God that all things in your life are working for your good, because of your love for Him and because you have been called according to his purpose. Pray that you see the good that is happening in your life, even in challenging circumstances.

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 Chronicles 11-13:22

From a glorious state to apostasy, Israel is broken in two, ruled by men who either totally abandoned God after achieving power by God’s hand, or continued their free fall into total sin after being handed a godly legacy. Two nations fathered by One God, how low could you go.

What is so sad about this state is how churches follow this same model today. We have not learned to have unity in diversity. We have failed to take hold of the whole counsel of God, we choose which sacraments, which law, which commands we will keep, calling the things we reject old and obsolete. Church’s with great legacies, churches broken off from organizations, denominations because of practices seem as going against the Word of God have themselves been accused of abandoning God’s flock to pursue personal gain, leaving the Sheep to fend off the wolves on their own.

We see in chapter twelve Rehoboam rehearsing the goodness of God, His statutes, His laws and commands in the ear of his adversary, Jeroboam. Handed victory by God’s grace and His grace alone, Rehbobam quickly abandons God and His commands after his kingdom is secured. The nation is then punished by way of the Egyptians, they repent but like father, like son. The on again off again relationship with God continues with Abijah who we are told only rules for three years (2 Chron 13:1). Ah, but Abijah was a very busy man. He managed to have fourteen wives and twenty-two sons, does not mentioned daughters, which more than likely were not counted. Think this was passed down from his grandfather, Solomon?

Reworked and with modern days church’s as the model in the microcosm how out of place would this story sound, think church split.
Romans 8:26-39

It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit has been designed and sent to us to strengthen us, to pray in our stead when we cannot, to empower us to move out into our calling, yet we say, I say, I can’t do because … Are we just lazy, fearful, lacking knowledge of the Word? What is it? There are probably multitudes of reasons and empty excuses we use to keep from moving out in our calling our purpose. Yet, we are without excuse and despite all our pretext and justifications God still works His purpose in the universe He created.

31 What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?
(Romans 8:31-32 NLT)

Psalm 18:37-50
Even in this Psalm written by David years before Paul’s letter to the Romans, the equipping for battle, the coming along side to help in time of trouble is known about and written by David as documentation for our learning. God never changes. His works of old are not old but are ever in the continuous NOW of life until the end of days.

I am so thankful and grateful to God that He has not left us to our own devices to try to figure Him out. He has left us the written Word, inscribed upon the hearts of all those who call on His Name. The victory over God’s enemies was secured by Jesus’ death on the cross and now I have been given access to what Jesus had done. Thanks be to God because,
39 You have armed me with strength for the battle;
you have subdued my enemies under my feet.

40 You made them turn and run;
I have destroyed all who hated me.

41 They called for help, but no one came to rescue them.
They cried to the LORD, but he refused to answer them.

42 I ground them as fine as dust carried by the wind.
I swept them into the gutter like dirt.

43 You gave me victory over my accusers.
You appointed me as the ruler over nations;
people I don’t even know now serve me.

Proverbs 19:27-29

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you have turned your back on knowledge.

Jesus accuses the experts of the Mosaic Law of taking away the key of knowledge concerning the Law so the common man, the lay person is not able to understand (Luke 11:52; Matthew 23:13); but here we see our own behavior can stop us from getting knowledge. We don’t lock ourselves out and away from that knowledge, we walk away and turn our back on the knowledge we have access too. This fits in with what Paul states in the first chapter of the Book of Romans (Romans 1:25),

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
(Rom 1:25 NET.)

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= John:

Romans 8:26-39

The chapter started with “no condemnation” and ends with “no separation”, and in between “all things God works for the good”. Pretty good stuff!

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Paul transitions from other’s (perhaps creation) high expectations of God’s work, to our expectations of redemption as we groan inwardly, to the Holy Spirit who also groans – but it seems for a different reason.

We have a weakness. As a beginning Christian and even a mature Christian, we do not and will not ever know on this earth how to pray perfectly in the “Will of God”. Whether you forget someone, or you are asking for something that is not in God’s purposes, etc – we don’t pray perfectly.

(Forgetting “tongues” – as that is a peripheral issue.) To me the important thing here is two fold: Holy Spirit is our intercessor in us, the Holy Spirit DOES PRAY in the Perfect Will of God. And why not, The Holy Spirit is God, and is part of the Trinity, and they have been in perfect communication and perfect accord from before time.

It is kind of neat to have God representing us and petitioning for us to God. You know his prayers are answered!
======================================================Our New Purpose

Verse 28) A statement where Paul “knows” and assumes the Roman readers know which is explained in the next verse.

28″And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” NIV

I think we have covered in the past – “in all things God works for the good”. It is done for the good of those who love him. “those who love him” is a wonderful way to describe “believers”.

1Cor2:9
“However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him.” NIV

True Christians love God: their hearts’ desire is to know Him, glorify Him, commune with Him, and obey Him. We don’t obey as completely as we ought, but that’s our desire….Those who are Christians don’t love God as much as they should, but their hearts’ desire is to love and obey Him. How can people who are dead in sin–who hate God–ever be turned around to love God? http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg45-65.htm

Those who love Him, who have been called – that is either invited or divinely appointed. Which is it? From vs. 29 it seems to be “divinely appointed” like Paul was to be an apostle.

according to his purpose – ok God had a reason,what was it? ===>
======================================================
29″For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” NIV

foreknew – Gk. “proginosko” 1) to have knowledge before hand 2) to foreknow a) of those whom God elected to salvation 3) to predestinate

predestined – Gk. “proorizo” 1) to predetermine, decide beforehand 2) in the NT of God decreeing from eternity 3) to foreordain, appoint beforehand.

I had some problems with these words in the past. To my knowledge, there is no variations in any Greek transcripts. The words mean what they mean, and those who oppose “election” usually use other verses to defend their position. If I am incorrect in this – please post or email.

As it is – like Ramona, while I may not understand – I accept. God is sovereign, and He can do what He wants.

Some want to call it foresight not “foreknew” but that doesn’t wash if you read Ephesians.

Eph1:4-5
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will

[Holy and blameless is “sanctified”, and we know you cannot be sanctified unless you are justified.]

Back to God’s purpose for the believer: It is to take the “believers” and make them into the same form as Christ – inside and out. Outwardly with a glorified body, inwardly as holy and blameless. The completion of this process will be in heaven. So that Christ may be the pre-eminent among many brothers. Why?

This is just my thoughts: God from before creation is making a love gift to His Son. And in return the Son will use the gift to “glorify” the Father.

Paul then presents a type of math equation of vs. 28-29.

#predestined=#called=#justified=#glorified

None will be lost. Personally, I liken it to a father taking a young child to a big-time football game. 100,000+ people. When the game is over, Father takes son’s hand and they head to exit. The crowd swarms and the father/son are jostled. There is no way the Father is going to let go of his son’s hand.

How much more so with God? When we are in the Father’s hands we will not be separated from Him!
======================================================
No Separation

When God looks at us after “justification” He sees Christ. That is His Word. As co-heirs what would God not do for us?

God protects us, God loves us, will give us all things – if not here than in heaven.

If God justifies, who dares to say He is wrong?

Christ is at his right hand and in God’s eyes we already are there with Him.

Eph 2:6
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” NIV

[Note: raised up is in aorist active – completed action done by the subject – God.]

“In 2:6 the believer is conceived as already seated with
Christ. Heaven is the real abode of the citizen of Christ’s
kingdom” http://www.ccel.org/r/robertson_at/wordpictures/htm/EPH1.RWP.html

In addition to all this Holy Spirit and Christ are both interceding for us.

It seems to me that if all the above is true – to think one could lose salvation would not just denigrate God, but the Trinity.

In fact Paul closes saying, ‘No act, No entity, will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus’ – and if it is in Christ Jesus it is in us.

John

====== Peggy:

2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19 + Romans 8:9-25 + Psalm 18:16-36 + Proverbs 19:26
~ 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 – Today in Second Chronicles chapter 8 we learn that Solomon married the Egyptian Pharaoh’s daughter, which was not pleasing to God and was contrary to God’s Law of not marrying foreigners (in large part because they worshiped foreign gods) as you’ll recall from Deuteronomy 7:3-4.  The Chronicler overall paints a very rosy portrait of both David and Solomon, ignoring many aspects of their sins that we read about in Samuel and Kings.  But, it’s interesting the Chronicler mentioned this marriage. Solomon married likely for a military alliance with Egypt.  Solomon’s marrying of foreign wives ultimately led to his turning his heart away from God, as we read in 1 Kings 11:1-11.  Interestingly, we see that Solomon won’t allow his Egyptian wife to live in David’s palace in verse 11: “Solomon moved his wife, Pharaoh’s daughter, from the City of David to the new palace he had built for her. He said, “My wife must not live in King David’s palace, for the Ark of the LORD has been there, and it is holy ground.””  And so he builds her a brand new palace!  Think Solomon knew something was amiss with this situation before God if he wouldn’t let his Egyptian wife live in David’s palace?  What about us in our lives today – when we sin, do we try to “cover it up” or “build a pretty palace” to maybe try to distract ourselves or God from our sin?  Should we instead just simply confess our sin to God and repent?

At the very end of Second Chronicles chapter 8 today we read these interesting verses 17-18: “Later Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Elath, ports in the land of Edom, along the shore of the Red Sea. Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own officers and manned by experienced crews of sailors. These ships sailed to the land of Ophir with Solomon’s men and brought back to Solomon almost seventeen tons of gold.”  You will see the port of Elath in the 2nd map below.  Then, the big question I had today was where is Ophir?  Well, it turns out that Ophir was likely in the land of “Sheba” from whence Queen Sheba comes to visit Solomon!  So, it is interesting to see how these last 2 verses in chapter 8 lead us to Second Chronicles chapter 9 today where we read about the Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon.  Below is about the best map I could find with the land of Sheba, and Ophir, in comparison to Israel.  The Queen obviously traveled quite a distance in those days to visit Solomon!  And I think we can now understand how she learned of Solomon – he built a fleet of ships and sailed them to her land!

In Second Chronicles chapter 9 we read about Solomon’s wealth and splendor.  I think it is interesting for us to remember that Solomon likely writes the book of Ecclesiastes, which we will read later this year.  Ecclesiastes wisely teaches us that living life for one’s own pleasure and for riches is meaningless – but only living for God makes life worthwhile.  I thought about Ecclesiastes when reading about all of Solomon’s wealth today – and realizing that it would later all be destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar and his army from Babylon.  Solomon’s wealth was yes, impressive.  But Solomon’s sins and the sins of his descendants eventually took all of it away.  Let us never forget that sin kills…  Let us never forget that the wages of sin are death.  (remember where we read that recently?  You’ve got this memorized from Romans 6:23 correct? 🙂 Today in Verses 22 through 24 we read – “So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king in all the earth.  Kings from every nation came to visit him and to hear the wisdom God had given him. Year after year, everyone who came to visit brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.”  Below is a painting of Solomon in all of his splendor in “The Queen of Sheba before Solomon” by Nicolas Knupfer, c. 1640:

I do think map’s can often give us a great overview / understanding of what we’re reading about in the Bible.  I think now is a good time to show a good map of Solomon’s Kingdom compared to modern day Israel, below.  Take a few minutes to really study this map and reflect upon places you recognize from today’s readings and previous day’s readings:

King Rehoboam’s bad decision making in Second Chronicles chapter 10 is an excellent example of why we should respect our elders…  Rehoboam blew off the advice of his elders and instead heeded the foolish advice of the young men around him.  And then the kingdom was divided.   Of course, this turn of events was the will of God.  But, still, a good example I think of why we should listen to and respect our elders…

New Testament – Wow… I love Paul’s writings today in Romans 8 verses 12 through 14!  “So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”   How do these verses speak to you?  Can you imagine that these words were written for you and your life today?  Do you believe that you have no obligation whatsoever to do what sin urges you to do?  Are you led in your life today by the Spirit of God?

Bible.org’s fantastic commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “Siding with the Spirit” is at this link and “From Groaning to Glory” is at this link.

Psalms – There are so many great verses today for us to meditate upon in Psalm 18!  I love verses 25 through 27: “To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile. You rescue those who are humble, but you humiliate the proud.”  Are you showing yourself to be faithful to God?  Are you living with integrity?  Are you showing yourself to be pure?  Is God showing you these things as well? 

I really love verse 28: “LORD, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness.”   Has Jesus brought light into your life?  Does God light up your darkness?

Proverbs – Proverbs 19 verse 26 is a great reminder of the commandment to honor thy father and mother: “Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are a public disgrace and an embarrassment.”  So…. have you called your Mom lately??  🙂  Of course I’m being facetious here with this question as it might (doesn’t) relate to this Proverb, but hey, I’ll let it stand…

Worship Video:  Based on Psalm 18 today I think Michael W. Smith’s “You are Holy” is a great song to worship God to today. Enjoy!

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

Do you know our Holy God? Click here for Holiness!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” Romans 8:18-19 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you know that your present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in you. Pray that the children of God will be revealed!

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:

2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10 + Romans 7:14-8:8 + Psalm 18:1-15 + Proverbs 19:24-25
~ 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 – Today in Second Chronicles we read about Solomon’s dedication of the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem!  Below is “King Solomon praying before the Temple” by Neapolitan painter Giuseppe Bonito, c. 1750:

I meant to do this in yesterday’s posting – show an exterior and interior image below of what’s now often referred to as “Solomon’s Temple.” Even though it was clearly the Temple of the Lord, it’s referred to as Solomon’s Temple based on Solomon building it – and we’ll read about some more Temple’s later on in our readings in the One Year Bible this year, including Ezekiel’s Temple, which is fascinating!  Anyhow, below are two images of Solomon’s Temple.

New Testament – Romans chapter 7 today has some amazing teachings about struggling with sin.  I imagine that all of us at one point or another have concurred with Paul – and remember this is the apostle Paul writing this! – in verses 15 through 17: “I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good. But I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things.” These verses get at Original Sin in a big way.  We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Sin can live inside of us and make us do evil things that we hate doing.  What do you suppose – or Whom do you suppose – frees us from this bondage to sin?  Jesus.  Yes, Jesus frees us.  How?  He paid the penalty on the cross for our sins.  And he gives us the free gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit to free us from the bondage of sin.  Take a look at these verses again above from Paul.  Is sin living inside of you making you do things you hate?  Do you want to be free from this slavery to sin?  Will you pray to accept Jesus as your savior today and allow him to free you from you bondage to sin?  Please do.  It’s the best decision you will ever make.  Please spend a few minutes prayerfully at this website – https://needhim.org/

Bible.org’s fantastic commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “The War Within” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 18 is an amazing one!  We’ll get this Psalm for the next 3 days of readings, which is great.  And then comes Psalm 19 which is off the charts awesome!   Verse 1 today is so beautiful: “I love you, LORD; you are my strength.”  How often do you tell God that you love him?  One thing that one of my former pastors does when he prays publicly, which absolutely moves me, is that he closes out just about every prayer with “God we love you.  And we pray all of this in the name of your son Jesus.”   The last line of course is the powerful line!  But, that second to last line… is just beautiful.  Just telling God that we love him.  I’m not sure I tell God that I love him often enough.  God may not “need” to hear it.  But I think that I need to say it more often.  I love you God!

Proverbs – I hope you don’t relate too well to Proverbs 19 verse 24… but I’ll confess that I have been able to relate to this in my past – “Some people are so lazy that they won’t even lift a finger to feed themselves.”  There were days in my past were I was literally this lazy.  What a sad state of affairs.  It’s hard to say exactly why I was being so lazy – other than one clear reason:  I was not in a relationship with Jesus.  I was living for myself and myself only.  So I thought it was fine to sleep and watch TV 24 x 7.  What did it matter?  Well… it mattered a lot.  Being lazy like this is a scary place to be.  I think it allows the Enemy to move into our lives in big ways.  So – thankfully – as we know from our recent Romans readings, we can be free from our lazy ways! Being in relationship with Jesus has literally cured me of my laziness.  Don’t get me wrong – I still chill out and rest on occasion – we really need to take a Sabbath day of rest once a week….  but let us not live our lives as couch potatoes!  Let us get in the game of Life!

Couldn’t resist this cute potato sack race image below… 🙂
These 2 are definitely not lazy couch potatoes!

 

Worship God: Today’s readings in Romans reminds me of Bebo Norman’s song “Sing of Your Glory:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3wa89TU3WU

Have you sung of God’s glory? Click here to sing Now!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are no longer condemned. Pray that you have a saving faith in Jesus. Pray that the Holy Spirit has set you free from sin and death.

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:

2 Chronicles 4:1-6:11 + Romans 7:1-13 + Psalm 17:1-15 + Proverbs 19:22-23
~ 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 – Today in Second Chronicles we read about the furnishings for the Temple, including the completion of the Sea in chapter 4 verses 4 & 5 – “The Sea rested on a base of twelve bronze oxen, all facing outward. Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east. The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a lily blossom. It could hold about 16,500 gallons of water.”  The Sea was used by the priests for their ceremonial washings.  Interestingly, the New Testament views these washing rituals as a foreshadowing of the cleansing provided to us by Jesus, as we will read later this year in Hebrews chapter 9 verses 11-14: “When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”  Below is an image of the Sea from today’s readings:

Today we also read about the Ark being brought to the Temple.  Second Chronicles chapter 5 verses 13 & 14 are incredible to consider: “The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.”

New Testament – Great writings by Paul in Romans 7 today about the Law!  I love how he wraps up today’s readings in verses 12 & 13 by saying: “But still, the law itself is holy and right and good.  But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my doom? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commandment for its own evil purposes.” Great theology in this chapter today!  Indeed – the law itself is holy and right and good.  But, we couldn’t keep the law and sin tempted us to break the law.  And thanks to Jesus, Paul tells us in verse 6 today: “But now we have been released from the law, for we died with Christ, and we are no longer captive to its power. Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit.”  We now serve God by the Spirit!  We are free indeed!

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Romans readings titled “The Loveliness of the Law and the Ugliness of Sin” is at this link.

Psalms – In Psalm 17 David appeals to God as Judge when he is being attacked by foes.  Verse 7 is a great prayer and comfort! “Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies.” Do you seek refuge with God from whatever might attacking you?   Do you believe that God will show you his unfailing love in wonderful ways?  Have you been saved by God’s strength?  Have you sought refuge with God from your “enemies”?

Proverbs – I like Proverbs 19 verse 22 today!  “Loyalty makes a person attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest.”  It is an interesting combination of proverbs in one verse.  I do agree that loyalty is an attractive quality in people.  Are you loyal to God?  And I wholeheartedly agree that it is better to be poor than dishonest.  Dishonestly is a sin that breeds so many other sins and wrong-thinkings in our life.  It’s to be avoided – even if it means being materially poor.  You will be wealthy in God’s eyes because of your honesty!

Worship Video:  Romans 7 verse 6 I think correlates very well with this video of The David Crowder Band’s “Everything Glorious”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81dK2Vu1IUs

Is everything glorious in your life? Click here for Glory!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” Romans 7:4 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are alive in Christ. Pray for the body of Christ. Pray that you are bearing fruit for God.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  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! : )

======= Jim:

The image you put of the Temple’s Sea was great. For all the verbose description of the Temple in Chronicles, I’ve always had a hard time visualizing it. (What the heck is the Sea anyway?) Now I know.
Romans is interesting because it almost seems that if we had no knowledge of the Law, how could sin manifest itself? But Paul’s analysis was right on in saying that sin and the devil use God’s Law against us, tempting us to do what is specifically forbidden by the law.
Praise God and thank God for his mercy upon me.
Have a great day all.
Jim

====== Vance:

Second Chronicles chapter 5 verses 13 & 14 are incredible to consider –

“The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!”

At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.”

The KJV renders the last part of verse 14 as: “…for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.”

This is according to the “Blue Letter Bible”, by which one can see the Hebrew and Greek meanings of words through Strong’s Concordance.

Hebrew: LORD – Y@hovah {yeh-ho-vaw’}

This means: Jehovah = “the existing One”

Hebrew: “glory” –kabowd {kaw-bode’}

The meaning is:

1) glory, honour, glorious,
abundance
a) abundance, riches
b) honour, splendour,
glory
c) honour, dignity
d) honour, reputation
e) honour, reverence,
glory
f) glory

I do not know the source of the quote, but C.S. Lewis defined glory in a way that has always really impressed me, and which truly captures the essence of glory.

He defines glory as that which is “weighty, substance, of true value.” Picture a set of scales, and you are measuring two (2) different things. Gold has more “glory” and has more “substance” than other substances. Thus, the side of the scale, which weighs the gold, is “weighed down”

Think about it!

It is very important to praise the Lord – to set time aside to do this—to offer not just offerings from our substance (possessions) – but our very selves as well.

When we do that, we are following the example of the priests in verse 13: “…they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!”

And when we consistently do that—as a habit—then, we allow the TRUE glory, substance—that which lasts and that which is eternal—to be deposited into our being.

Then, what the Lord promised with an oath in Isaiah 54 will come true: (Amplified Bible)

verse 9
For this is like the days of Noah to Me; as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you.

verse 10
For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you.

If we persistently, consistently offer our possessions and ourselves to the Lord in praise,
then the “riches, abundance, splendor, reputation” and the “weightiness, substance, true lasting value” of God’s character will be deposited into our lives!

Isaiah 54 (Amplified Bible)

verse 17
This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
[those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced];
this is the righteousness
or the vindication which
they obtain from Me [this
is that which I impart to
them as their
justification], says the
Lord.

I end with quotes from The Weight of Glory, by C.S. Lewis…

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.

Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations–these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.

But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit–immortal horrors or everlasting splendours.

This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of the kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously–no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.

And our charity must be real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinners–no mere tolerance, or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment.

Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is your Christian neighbour, he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ vere latitat, the glorifier and the glorified, Glory Himself, is truly hidden.”

Remember: Christ is us is the CERTAIN, GUARANTEED hope of glory!… and PRAISE increases the substance of GLORY of Jesus IN and THROUGH us !

Vance

====== Vance:

Romans 7 (NKJV)
3
So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.
4
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
5
For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
6
But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

NOTE:
I like these meditations. Source: http://www.ministrybooks.org/books.cfm?id=%23%2A%2EX%26%0A

Now we come to Romans 7:5-6.

Verse five says, “For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were through the law, operated in our members to bear fruit to death.” This verse speaks of what we were.

Verse six says, “But now we are discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held, that we should serve as slaves in newness of spirit and not in oldness of letter.” When we were in the flesh (v. 5), we were the old husband.

When we were discharged from the law (v. 6), we became the wife. We have been discharged from the law of the old husband, having died to that in which we were held.

By now it should be very clear who is the old husband. The old husband is our old man. The wife is our regenerated new man. As the old man we are dead, and as the new man we are alive. We were dead as the old husband, but now are alive as the wife. As we shall see, the wife does two things— bears fruit to God and serves in newness of spirit.

Vance

====== Andrew:

===== Stacey:

Thank you for the pictures you post. I could never imagine the Sea from reading. I greatly appreciate that I now have an idea of what it looks like. God bless
Stacey

2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17 + Romans 6:1-23 + Psalm 16:1-11 + Proverbs 19:20-21
~ 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 Chronicles!  Are you ready to read about the reign of King Solomon?  Let’s go!

~Second Chronicles~
Author: Unknown
Date: Fifth century B.C.
Content: Second Chronicles contains the history of Judah that was begun in First Chronicles. It deals with the glory of Solomon’s reign, with a special emphasis being placed upon the glory of the temple. This emphasis is made because a priest point of view pervades the book. The remaining kings of Judah are discussed, with a stress upon how the religious affairs of the nation were going. Hezekiah is given mention because during his reign an extended revival took place. The destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people to Babylon are described, and the book ends with the Persian king’s decree to let the people return home.
Theme: Judah’s history is described from a religious point of view in this book. The righteous kings are commented on and the evil kings are named so that all can see who is responsible for the rise and fall of the nation. The religious leaders and their ultimate failure to remain true to God added to the sin of Judah – until God allowed his own chosen people to plunge themselves into ruin, as an example for all time that God will not tolerate sin. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 7-8) More commentary on Second Chronicles is at this link.

Today in 2 Chronicles chapter 1 we read about King Solomon asking for wisdom and knowledge from God. In verse 7 we read these words from God to Solomon – “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” In verse 10 we will read this amazing response from Solomon to God: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” Solomon could have asked God for anything – more wealth, more power, more strength, more whatever, but he simply asked for wisdom and knowledge. Why? Because he wanted to lead God’s people well and distinguish between right and wrong. Amazing. How would you or I answer this question today? What if God came to you today and said the same thing to you from verse 5 – “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” What would you ask for? Would you ask for Wisdom? Would you ask for Knowledge? If so, God offers these to you and me right now. Where? I believe wisdom and knowledge is offered to us through study of the Bible and by living in a loving and right relationship with God. We can receive the gift of God’s wisdom today! If we would answer this question from God differently – maybe wanting more money, or power, or fame, or whatever – do you think we might forfeit gaining wisdom? So, again, what if God were to say to you right now this same statement he said to Solomon? “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” What do you ask for?  Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of Solomon praying to God for wisdom:

New Testament – Today in Romans chapter 6 verses 17 & 18 we read: “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Do you believe that you were ever a slave to sin? Is it possible that you are still a slave to sin now? How can you be freed from being a slave to sin? Or, better yet, Who do you think can free you from being a slave to sin? Are you wholeheartedly obeying the teaching to which you have been entrusted? Where can you consistently find the teaching to which you have been entrusted? Do you consider yourself a slave to righteousness? Do you like the idea of being a slave to righteousness?

Today we read Romans 6:23! I pray that this is a verse of Scripture that you have truly memorized, meditated upon, and fully understand and agree with:

Bible.org’s fantastic commentaries on today’s Romans readings titled “An End to the Reign of Death” is at this link and “The Stupidity of Sin” is at this link.

Psalms – Today we read Psalm 16, which I absolutely love!  I could probably share with you some thoughts on just about every verse in this Psalm. Verse 1 tells us: “Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.”  Do you believe that God will keep you safe if you come to Him for refuge? And verse 2 is so true: “I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! All the good things I have are from you.””  Everything good thing in our life – absolutely everything good thing in our life – comes from God.  Do you believe this? Verse 3 reminds me to rejoice for and pray for our pastors and spiritual mentors: “The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!”  Do you appreciate your pastors / ministers / priests and spiritual mentors?  And do you appreciate other godly people you know too?  Are they true heroes?  Do you pray for these folks regularly? If not, will you?

And verse 11 is a powerful closing to this Psalm 16 and perhaps a prayer for us to pray fervently: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”   Do you want to be shown the way of life from God?   Do you want to be granted the joy of God’s presence?  Do you want the pleasure of living with God forever?  Have you prayed to God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit to give you these things in your life?  Will you pray this prayer?

Proverbs – Proverbs 19 verse 21 is so true : “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” I am so amazed by how God’s purpose continues to steer the course of my life – tossing to the side my frivolous plans that were not part of His purpose.  I think we do well to realize that God absolutely has a purpose for our lives – and that we very likely do not know what it is.  🙂  Well, that’s not always true.  I do think many of us have a good indication of what God’s purpose is for our lives.  But I think perhaps more of us do not.  And that’s okay.  I believe that if we stay close to God in a loving relationship and seek to live godly lives, God’s purpose can’t help but take over the course of our life.  Without our even realizing it at times.  There was that movie several years back called Mr. Holland’s Opus, where the lead character realized that “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.”  I submit that “God’s purpose is what happens if you are seeking after Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.”  Let us pray that God is the Master Planner in our life today!  And let us also pray that God will reveal to us if we are ignoring His plans for us in any way and if we are perhaps in danger of planning to build a “tower of Babel” in our life in the place of God…

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of Anne Wilson’s song “My Jesus:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmIw0F4wHZo

Is Jesus yours? Click here for You to be His!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you truly understand that the wages of sin is death. Pray that you also truly know that through a saving faith in Jesus, your sins have been forgiven and that the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus. Pray for everyone you know to come to know this as well. Pray for revival in your city.

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:

1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30 + Romans 5:6-21 + Psalm 15:1-5 + Proverbs 19:18-19
~ 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 – We finish up the book of First Chronicles today!  Second Chronicles begins tomorrow! Today’s readings are a nice transition from the reign of King David to his son Solomon. 

Our readings today set the transition scene nicely in First Chronicles 28 verses 1 & 2: “David summoned all his officials to Jerusalem–the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the twelve army divisions, the other generals and captains, the overseers of the royal property and livestock, the palace officials, the mighty men, and all the other warriors in the kingdom. David rose and stood before them and addressed them as follows: “My brothers and my people!””  One thing that really stood out to me in David’s address to his officials today was his absolute passion for God’s Temple!  David was so passionate about making sure the Temple was prepared for his son Solomon to build it.  Yes, true, God gave David the plans for the Temple. 🙂 But… what about us in our lives today… does God give us any “plans” for our lives today?  What about the Bible?  Is the Bible a “plan” for our lives today that we should follow?  Below is an image from today’s readings of David addressing his officials:

I love David’s prayer of praise to God today in 1 Chronicles 29 verses 10 through 12: “O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength.”  Have you ever prayed a prayer of praise like this to God?  Would you like to?  You could do so right now!

New Testament – Wow… I don’t know what it is about Romans this year, but it is speaking to me like never before.  For those of you that have gone through the One Year Bible multiple times, you probably know how this is.  One year a book will kinda sorta speak to you – God’s Word always does.  And then the next year a book will just blow you away with its wisdom.  Romans is one of those books for me this year…  Paul’s words in Romans 5 verses 6 through 8 today spoke to me right away: “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”  This is so powerful to think about.  Jesus died for us sinners.  Think about how selfless this is. Would you die for someone right now?  Perhaps your family or maybe someone who is especially good, as this Psalm says.  But would you die for a liar, a thief, a cheat, or a hopeless addict?  Maybe so…  but probably not.  Jesus came for us.  He died for us.  Us thieves.  Us liars.  Us cheat.  Us addicts.  He came to save us!  Have you been saved by Jesus?

We are now called friends of God as Paul tells us in verse 11: “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God–all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God.”  Do you rejoice in knowing that you are a friend of God?  If someone were to look at how you interact with others and how you spend your time and your days, would they know that you are a friend of God?  Do you often spend quality time with God like you would with any other friend?  Do you think spending time with God is more valuable than anything else you could do in this world?

Paul’s contrast of Adam and Jesus in today’s readings is so powerful for us to meditate upon… Verses 18 & 19 stood out to me today: “Yes, Adam’s one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness makes all people right in God’s sight and gives them life. Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God’s sight.”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “From the Curse to the Cure” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 15 verses 1 & 2 today are awesome: “Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.”  Psalm 15 was written for those that wished to have access to God in his Temple in Jerusalem.  However, I do believe that today, through Jesus, anyone can worship God anywhere – in a church or in our homes or wherever we find ourselves.  However, I do think there is truth in these Psalm verses in that we can worship God beautifully by living a blameless life (not perfect life – only Jesus was perfect this side of heaven – we will need to confess sins & repent), doing what is right, and speaking the truth from sincere hearts.  I do believe these are acts of worship that demonstrate our friendship with God and our growth in becoming more like his son Jesus in our lifetimes.  Do you seek to lead a blameless life?  Do you seek to do what is right?  Do you speak the truth from a sincere heart?  Do you seek to worship God in some way each and every day?  How?

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 19 verse 19 teaches us today: “Short-tempered people must pay their own penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.”  This is an interesting Proverb to think about.  What it says to me is that sometimes people can only learn things on their own.  They have to make their own mistakes.  Pay their own penalty.  And then they’ll learn.  If we don’t let them go through this process, and we “rescue them” once, we’ll have to rescue them again.  Interesting to consider this in light of verse 18: “Discipline your children while there is hope. If you don’t, you will ruin their lives.”  This verse to me indicates that we can actually “rescue” people with godly discipline early in their lives.  We can “rescue” our children through godly discipline and save them much ruin later in their lives.  Do you agree with both of these Proverbs?   Do you see the wisdom in godly discipline for our children?  Do you think this graph below shows how godly discipline can both send people on the upward road and also save people from ultimate ruin?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the Matt Maher song “Alive Again.” Here is a great live version from Matt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSTaVmDQP5s

Are you truly alive? Click here and be made Alive Again!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you know the full expanse of God’s love for you and the full cost Jesus paid for your sins on the Cross. Pray that you know that while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you. Pray that you have been saved from your sins through 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! : )

======= John:

Romans 5:6-21

Paul says this all happened at the right time (due time). In the short term how many times in the gospel did it say the ‘hour had not yet come’. There was a reason Christ did not come at Mt. Sinai, and a reason he did not come in 2006, but when he did some 2,000 years ago.

“It was in God’s time – when all the conditions were right – I am in awe of how complex the timing really was: think of it as a play on Broadway. All the technology of the sets, the climate of receptiveness to the material, the right actors, the media, the critics – all had to be in place to perform the greatest PLAY of all time, and make it known.

The world was prepared spiritually, economically, linguistically, politically, philosophically and geographically for the coming of Jesus and the spread of the Gospel. “The Scripture everywhere speaks of a certain season or hour assigned for the death of Christ: see Matthew 26:45; John 8:20; John 12:27; John 17:1.” (Poole)

vs. 8b
“..While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

In early Romans God’s wrath was explained against unrighteous and self-righteous man(kind). God hates sin. That was made abundantly clear.

The demonstration of God’s love isn’t so much in that Jesus died, but in whom Jesus died for – undeserving sinners and rebels against Him. – David Guzik

Five times in vs 9-11 Paul say in various ways it is “through Jesus” that it is all done. Justifiacation, reconciliation, saved from wrath, saved in life, even rejoicing – it is all through Christ.
======================================================
vs. 12-13
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.” NIV

Some have a real hard time with the concept of sin being passed onto the world through Adam. For those that do not “believe” IN Christ, I don’t blame them – it sounds like “foolishness” to them (as the Bible says). For those that “believe” IN Christ:

“To Paul, Adam was more than a historical individual, the first man; he was also what his name means in Hebrew – ‘humanity.’ The whole of humanity is viewed as having existed at first in Adam.” (Bruce)

“The principle of death was introduced into the world when Adam sinned and it has reigned on earth ever since. Every grave is mute evidence to the spread and reign of sin since the time of Adam.

We may not like the fact that we are made sinners by the work of another man. We may protest, and say, “I want to stand on my own two feet, and not be made a sinner because of the work of another man.” Nevertheless, it is fair to be made righteous by the work of another man only if we are also made sinners by the work of another man. If we aren’t made sinners by Adam, then it isn’t fair for us to be made righteous by Jesus.” – David Guzik

The last best explains it to me. If we can accept and understand Christ, then we must realize Adam is the source of the “broken relationship” with God that Christ came to restore. Both Adam and Jesus were completely sinless men from the beginning, and both of them did things that had consequences for all mankind. One man broke it, one man fixed it.

I understand Vs. 13 to be that sin was in the world as Paul said in first chapter, and man is condemned for that reason. But the sins of man before the Law were not put on his account. That is they would not be used in his judgment (level of punishment).
======================================================
In vs. 15-19 Paul five times compared Adam’s act with Jesus’ sacrifice:
trespass/grace, condemnation/justification, death/life(2), disobediance/obediance.

“It is staggering to think of how totally death has reigned under Adam. Everyone who is born dies – the mortality rate is 100%. No one survives. When a baby is born, it isn’t a question of whether the baby will live or die – they will most certainly die; the only question is when. We think of this world as the land of the living, but it is really the land of the dying, and the billions of human bodies cast into the earth over the centuries proves this. But Paul says that the reign of life through Jesus is much more certain. The believer’s reign in life through Jesus is more certain than death or taxes!

Again, someone may object: “But I never chose to have Adam represent me.” Of course you did! You identified yourself with Adam with the first sin you ever committed. It is absolutely true that we were born into our identification with Adam, but we also choose it with our individual acts of sin.” – David Guzik

Vs. 18 is sometimes “lifted” to teach “universalism” – all are saved due to the cross. All go to heaven. This is again why Bible needs to be understood in context, and not verses in isolation.
1) Universalism is contradictary to Paul’s overall teaching.
2) In other verses here in this section Paul talks about the gift being to “many” and those who “received”.
3)In this verse “justification for life (as opposed to condemnation)” IS for all men. But Paul clearly taught leading up to these verses that this justification (imputed righteousness) is through faith. So while it is available to all, it has to be received by faith.
======================================================
vs.20
“The law was added so that the trespass might increase.”

The law makes me sin more – but not because there is anything wrong in the law, only because there is something deeply wrong in the human condition. – David Guzik

Have posted before the Law is God’s standard – a very high standard – that man could not live up to in life. It should be so obvious to any followers of the Law that they are sinners. Knowing one is not just a sinner , but a great sinner – should make people more receptive to Paul’s message of God’s gospel.

“just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

John

====== Sammy:

How sad to read David’s words which acknowledged that even though he had great passion in his heart to prepare a home for the Ark of the Covenant, he was denied: “King David rose to his feet and said: Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it. But God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.”

How much more are we reminded of Moses, a man who talked face-to-face with God; yet, he was denied his passion: entering into the promise land, because of disobedience.

If these great men of God can be denied their hearts desire, how diligent should we be that we not miss God’s blessing through our disobedience!

Just a thought!

Sammy

======= Ramona:

>>”Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.” NIV
Some have a real hard time with the concept of sin being passed onto the world through Adam. For those that do not “believe” IN Christ, I don’t blame them – it sounds like “foolishness” to them (as the Bible says). For those that “believe” IN Christ:
>>

John has brought up something that many people have problems with, Adam passing on to man his sin. I have had problems understanding why but I have learned that just because I haven’t grasped a concept doesn’t make it any less not true. Although I had accepted this, today I have had a revelation as to why, and possibly, how Adam passed on his sin to us like a virus or bacteria. (Note: Revelation is only revelation when it is revelation to you)

Sin is an offence, a trespass and in order to offend or trespass, specifically God rules and regulations, all one must do is not do what He has said.

And out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight or to be desired–good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life also in the center of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of [the difference between] good and evil and blessing and calamity. [Rev. 2:7; 22:14, 19.] (Genesis 2:9 AMP)

Adam broke the command God had given (Note God addressed both him and the woman as Adam) when he/they ate and death entered the world. Death is an offence to God because; “In the Beginning …” death was not an issue. Man was created to live eternally so even if someone is very, very good and doesn’t do anything that we call sin, in God’s economy we sin the moment we are born because our body immediately marches toward death and disease, sin.

We gradate sin; we have big sins, little sins and inbetween sins but to God sin is sin.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23 KJV)

And all who depend on the Law [who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals] are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the Book of the Law and to practice them. [Deut. 27:26.] (Galatians 3:10 AMP)

For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 AMP)

Note the above does not say sins or big sins or especially griveious sins—it just says “sin.”

Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection was to bring us back to the, “In the Beginning …” state.

And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory. [Isa. 25:8.] O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? [Hos. 13:14.] Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57 AMP)

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Roslyn:

======= Nancy:

You can raise your children the best you know how. The bottom line is their free will. They sometimes make choices that are contrary to how you raised them. Sin entices and they fall away. I know one day they can return. God is faithful.
In regards to Adam and not Eve being held more accountable. Eve was deceived. Adam who had been given the command to not eat from that tree, he willingly & knowingly choose to sin. I wonder what would have happened if he had not sinned and then asked God to forgive Eve, acting as a mediator.
Nancy

1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34 + Romans 4:13-5:5 + Psalm 14:1-7 + Proverbs 19:17
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~ 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 – It is interesting to read about the various gatekeepers, treasurers, officials, military commanders and leaders in today’s First Chronicle readings!  In some ways it is sad to read about how well organized things were – knowing that the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and the exile to Babylon is coming up.  All of this organization will be destroyed.  Why?  Because of sin.  Sin destroys.  Sin kills.  So sad.  It is true that the lineage from Abraham to Judah to David will of course continue through to Jesus and now to us as spiritual descendants.  But, the nation of Israel at this time of First Chronicles, with all of it’s great organization, will later fall because the leaders and people will turn their backs on God in sin.  In disobedience.  Is there a lesson for us in this today?  Do you see the dangers of sin?  Of how it can destroy everything you hold dear?  Please – flee from sin.  Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin.  Don’t lose everything you hold dear to something as stupid as sin.  Sin will sell you lies and leave you with nothing.

New Testament – Wow.  Romans 5 verses 1 & 2 are so true: “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”  It is important to note that these verses are talking about more than just a “sense of peace.”  They are talking about literal “peace with God”!  Peace with God is gifted to us through faith in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection to redeem us from the depravity and consequences of our sin.  Have you experienced literal peace with God?  I know that we do not always “sense the peace” with God – but I do not think it leaves us once we’ve entered into an eternal right relationship with Jesus.  I think we can certainly distract ourselves enough or make ourselves worried or frantic enough that we might think the peace is gone.  But eternal peace doesn’t ever leave us.  I do think we need to take time to connect with and rediscover Christ’s peace within us each and every day.  Reading, prayer and meditation on Scripture are great ways to do this.  I have also found getting outdoors and taking a walk in nature helps me connect with Christ’s peace again.  What are other ways that you connect with Christ’s peace within you?  Please post up in the Comments section below for others to learn from!  Thanks!

Verses 3 through 5 are incredible today as well: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us–they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”  Note that these verses are not saying to rejoice “because” of problems and trials (that would be morbid), but that we can still rejoice even “when we run into” the problems and trials.  It is often difficult for us to remember to rejoice when problems and trials come our way – but please do remember these words of Paul in Romans about rejoicing during a time of trial.  Remember our readings in Acts?  Paul was ridiculed, beaten, jailed and shipwrecked – and yet, he never gave into a defeatist attitude.  He kept preaching God’s love!  If anyone knows about trials and problems, it is Paul.  And he tells us to rejoice through problems and trials because in this we learn to endure.  I love that Paul says that character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation!  And that this expectation will not disappoint!  Do you believe this?  Do you have a confident expectation of salvation?

Image above courtesy of stonesoupmusic.org.  Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “The Object of Our Faith” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 14 could be seen at first glance as a discouraging Psalm for us as we look at verse 3: “But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!”  I think it is important to keep in mind that there is truth in this verse (particularly if we ever start thinking we’re “good” and others around us are not…).  But also I think it’s good to keep in mind that this verse was written before Jesus came to the earth.  Jesus was perfect.  And through His resurrection we are called toward greater holiness and ultimately perfect goodness once we meet Jesus face to face in heaven.  Jesus gives us the hope spoken of in the closing of this Psalm in verse 7: “Oh, that salvation would come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel! For when the LORD restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.”  Do you recognize the salvation that has come to us?  Are you shouting for joy for this salvation?  Are you rejoicing!?

Proverbs – Today in Proverbs 19 verse 17 we read – “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” Do you believe that when you are kind to the poor you are actually lending to God? Are you someone who is consistently kind to the poor? Are you kind to the spiritually, emotionally, materially poor that God has brought into your life? Are you also kind to spiritually, emotionally, materially poor that you do not know?  Do you believe this kindness is noticed by God? Do you believe it is rewarded?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Romans reminds me of Jeremy Camp’s song “Healing Hand of God:”

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

Have you felt the healing hand of God? Click here for Healing!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. “ Psalm 14:3 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you know that you are a sinner by nature and choice and have lived corruptly. Pray that you have repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Pray that you are now able to do good in your life through the power of the Holy 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:

4:15because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Wait a minute, if there is no transgression, how can God judge?

STORY TIME

A 1,000 years ago there was a country ruled by a good, wise, and just king. Outsiders viewed the king this way, and most of the countrymen loved their king and were loyal subjects.

Except for one small town on the outskirts of the kingdom. These people ignored the king. They did not pay (fair) taxes, consider themselves subjects, nor acknowledge the king in any way. In fact, they tore up or defaced any royal decrees that came around, poached the king’s cattle, and mocked the king at every public opportunity.

Yet, the townspeople did plenty of good things: helped widows and orphans, rebuilt any destroyed homes for other towns, even went out of the country and helped heal many sick people with theIR special “town” herbs. They did a lot of good – too much to list.

One day, the king had all the townspeople rounded up and brought before his throne. “What have you got to say for yourself”, the king asked. The town leader had all the ledgers of the town that listed there good deeds placed before the throne. Over 200 ledgers in all. The leader said, “We are good people”.

How did the king react? He had all the ledgers taken away and said, ‘The ledgers are not relevant. The issue is rebellion, not how good or bad you are, and since you have always been in rebellion, you are guilty.’

[Note: The king did mitigate some of the punishment because of the deeds, but all were guilty of rebellion, and all were put in jail.]

The wages of sin is death, and death has been present since the fall. The sin before the law was not on anybody’s ledger, but all were guilty of rebellion – Turning their backs to God and each going their own way.

In addition Paul has said that the law is written in our hearts, so we will have transgression based on what we knew and what we did with that knowledge. However without faith, all are guilty and condemned of rebellion, just as the town people in the story.

John

======= John:

1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11 + Romans 4:1-12 + Psalm 13:1-6 + Proverbs 19:15-16
~ 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 First Chronicles chapter 24 today we read about the divisions of the priests and the Levites.  It is important to note that the priests and Levites had differing roles.  The priests actually performed the sacrifices whereas the Levites assisted the priests in their duties – including assisting in the sacrifices, playing music, baking goods, and care of the Tabernacle/Temple (to name a few things the Levites did).  Both priests and Levites were from the tribe of Levi, but the priests also had to be descendants of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel.

Ever wonder why we have music in church today?  First Chronicles 25 verse 1 could be where the stage is set for the tradition of music in our worship services! “David and the army commanders then appointed men from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals.” Do you find music in church to be inspiring?  Do you worship God with music in church? Why do you suppose music moves people so profoundly in church?  Do you think music can bring people closer to Jesus?  Has music brought you closer to Jesus?

New Testament – We have great writings by Paul today in Romans how we are declared righteous before God!  Verse 4 is powerful: “When people work, their wages are not a gift. Workers earn what they receive. But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.”  Our right relationship with Jesus is a gift.  We do not work to earn it.  It is given to us as a gift.  Our right relationship with God is not because of our work – but because of Jesus’ work on our behalf on the cross.  Have you accepted the gift?  If not, will you accept Jesus’ invitation to receive this free gift today?

Paul’s writings about Abraham’s faith are wonderful in today’s readings.  Verses 9 & 10 stands out: “Well, what about Abraham? We have been saying he was declared righteous by God because of his faith. But how did his faith help him? Was he declared righteous only after he had been circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? The answer is that God accepted him first, and then he was circumcised later!”  These verses are an example of Abraham being accepted into a right relationship with God through faith – not works (circumcision in this case).  I do believe our good works are desired and appreciated by God – he wants us to ultimately live holy & loving lives where we love God and love people.  But, faith in Jesus and acceptance by God comes first, then our good works for the Kingdom come as fruits of our faith.  Abraham was an example of this as we read in verse 3: “For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.””  Below is an portrait of Abraham being called by God by artist Guy Rowe:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “An Old Testament Illustration of Justification by Faith” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 13 is thought to be a prayer by David for recovery from a grave illness, based on verse 3: “Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die.”  Yet, even in the midst of this serious illness, David amazingly proclaims in verse 5: “But I trust in your unfailing love.”  How about you?  When you are sick or in the midst of a very challenging or sad situation, do you trust in God’s unfailing love?  Always?  No matter what is going on around you?  Do you trust that God will ultimately restore the light to your eyes? If not in this world, then in the world to come?

Proverbs – Proverbs 19 verse 15 is quite true – “A lazy person sleeps soundly–and goes hungry.”  Have you ever had lazy periods of your life?  Are you maybe in one now?  Do you realize that when you are lazy you are slowly starving yourself?  That you are going hungry?  I believe this can apply to being lazy about our physical world – as well as our spiritual world.  When we are lazy in our faith, yes, I believe we can appear to “sleep soundly.”  But – meanwhile we are starving ourselves spiritually, which is a grave risk.  Are you in a physically or spiritually lazy place right now?  If so, will you turn to Jesus for your work orders – and for your very food?  If you are in a lazy place right now, please do not continue to sleep quite so soundly…

Worship Video – Today’s readings remind me of the New Life terrific worship song, “Great I Am:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGv5d8EE34k

Do you know the great I Am? Click here to meet Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry.” Proverbs 19:15 NLT

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not a lazy person. Pray against laziness in your life. Pray that you will rest well and enjoy Sabbath rest, but that you will not be lazy nor idle nor hungry.

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:

Romans 4 (Amplified)
3
For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living and right standing with God).
6
Thus David congratulates the man and pronounces a blessing on him to whom God credits righteousness apart from the works he does:
7
Blessed and happy and to be envied are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried.
8
Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him.
NOTE:
Of course, we must absolutely receive the gift of righteousness, as we can never earn this on our own.
I pray, therefore, there will be a true, deep, and lasting repentance of sin so we are able to receive the cleansing and righteousness that God promises.
~~~
The faith and lives Abraham and David appear to show two sides of justification:
one side of taking away and one side of putting in.
I think of a financial account ledger:
one side shows what money is owed and the other side shows what money is in bank
One side has a debt that must be taken away and removed.
The other side has the amount that must be given.
The “money” of heaven is righteousness, if I can say it like that.
David represents the “debt taken away” side of the accounting.
Romans 4:8 – “Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin THE LORD WILL TAKE NO ACCOUNT NOR RECKON IT AGAINST HIM.”
Abraham represents the “credit given” side of the accounting.
Romans 4:3 – “…Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIS ACCOUNT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS(right living and right standing with God).”
May we truly live our lives on earth like that:
1. Really and truly surrendering to the Lord everything that offends Him and is not pleasing to Him.
2. Really and truly, then, receiving from the Lord His gift to be pleasing to Him.
Only God can make our inability to do what is right to become His gift of His goodness to us!
Vance

======= Imja:

Greetings
Focusing on God and how much He has done for all of us. Keep choosing to trust God, for He is GOOD:)
He will never leave or forsake us. Thank you Father!
Ps. 13
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Shalom!
Imja