Bible in a Year Blog

June 23rd Bible in a Year Readings

June 23, 2026

2 Kings 4:18-5:27 + Acts 15:1-35 + Psalm 141:1-10 + Proverbs 17:23
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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 – Interesting readings in 2 Kings 4 about the Shumanite woman, her son and the prophet Elisha today! You’ll note that in verse 20 her son dies, and in verse 21 she places her son on Elisha’s bed – in part so that no one will know that her son died. As she gets to verse 22-24 she is saddling up on a donkey to go straight to Elisha without anyone in her family knowing her son had died! Below is a painting by Rembrandt from 1640 titled “The Departure of the Shumanite Woman”:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

2 Kings 4:18-5:27

I’ve always loved the story of Naaman for two reasons, the first reminds me of why it is important to keep a humble spirit no matter how high and mighty we get, and the second shows me that people who are honest and truthful see and hear the news about God and change their direction.

Naaman couldn’t understand why the prophet didn’t come out of his house to meet him and then became thoroughly offended when a “servant” gave him the message to go wash in the dirty Jordan river. Anger and being incredulous will not stop God from working in ones life if a teachable spirit is within. If Naaman’s men found him unapproachable and beyond reasoning, they would not have been able to encourage him to go do what the prophet told him to do. If Naaman had had a strong sense of “entitlement”, he would never have listened to the “lowly” servant girl and gone to Samaria. To be able to lay aside preconceived notions and to admit, even if only to oneself, there can be some solution to a problem other than the one already thought out means pride has to be set aside.

Too often, we look up to our church’s leadership instead of looking to God. Naaman went looking for an appointment with a prophet and failed to get one, what he did get was an appointment with God. I wonder how many of us miss God because we become offended when the preacher/pastor/priests doesn’t do what we expected him to do or say so we throw out the instructions because the “preacher/pastor/priests didn’t grant a personal meeting and wave his hands all around.

Acts 15:1-35

The verse that has captured my imagination is verse two,

2 Paul and Barnabas, disagreeing with them, argued forcefully and at length.

It is O.K. to disagree on matters. If we are willing to listen to what others have to say, disagreements cause us to think about what we really believe and help us to hone our reasoning skills. Yet some would call that rebellion. Truth will always stand firm no matter what is thrown it’s way. If we are willing to honestly debate an issue and are open to change if we are wrong, arguing forcefully, like Paul and Barnabas, will always yield serendipitous results for all parties in the debate. To take advantage of the find we just have to stop wearing our feelings on our fingertips and put them aside ‘cause how we feel about something and what is truth, more than likely is not synonymous.

Psalm 141:1-10

I wonder if David wrote this Psalm when he had a strong desire to take vengeance on his enemies, specifically when Saul was chasing him. When reading this for today’s reading I got a deep sense of desperation. David would not strike back at Saul because he said Saul was the Lord’s anointed. Although Saul was trying to kill him, David made no offensive attacks to strike back.

Because David was always on the run, he was unable to go to a formal worship service in the Tabernacle.

2 Accept my prayer as incense offered to you,
and my upraised hands as an evening offering.

When someone is attacking you for no reason, our nature is to “bad mouth” them, “talk them down,” but David writes,

3 Take control of what I say, O LORD,
and keep my lips sealed.

No matter what was being said about him or done to him, David seems to say I won’t do to him what he is doing to me, assassinating my character. When I am wronged, I have to fight a sense of entitlement that says I have the right to pay them back. I want to pay back evil for evil and it is a struggle that I don’t always overcome. In order to pay back evil for evil, I believe we take on the character of the currency we use, malevolence

4 Don’t let me lust for evil things;
don’t let me participate in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies
of those who do evil.

When we set our hearts to give “pay back,” unless someone stops us we go headlong to our destruction.

5 Let the godly strike me!
It will be a kindness! If they reprove me, it is soothing medicine.
Don’t let me refuse it. But I am in constant prayer
against the wicked and their deeds.

David goes on to finish this Psalm by saying with a certainty, those who are pursuing him to destroy him will be themselves destroyed because their actions set traps that ensnare them.

Proverbs 17:23

I grew up with secrets, people keeping many secrets, and I will not participate in things done “under cover.” If you’ve got a secret, don’t tell me. Keeping secrets takes too much work and it tires you out trying to keep everything undercover. Eventually the cover will be blown off and what would have been a tiny little scandal if confessed when the incident first happened because a “Perpetrator” (Perp-walk) on the evening news for the world to see. Transparency is the only way to be.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

The Shunammite’s attitude to her problem truly is inspiring….also Naaman’s attitude to God is somewhat puzzling…he realises that there is just one God,that bowing to other gods is a sin…yet he makes excuses for bowing down to other gods being under the authority of a heathen king…this is a miracle that should’ve changed his life and the kings…but he chose to thank God for his trouble…and move on without God in His life….
Comparing Naaman’s servant and Gehazi….She served with her heart,touched by her master’s condition she adviced him seeking no reward for herself…Gehazi on the other hand served because he wanted recognition…and reward….
Elisha went around blessing and feeding people in times of famine…I think it’s a call to men of God to leave the call to “sow into fertile ground”ie giving to the prophet to get a prophet’s reward….instead to feed the sheep….
God bless you all
Anka

====== Lindsey:

I remember several years ago reading about Naaman in some class and learning that the Jordan river was FILTHY. Apparently there were several beautiful and clean rivers right where Naaman was. No one would ever bathe in the Jordan, especially someone of Naaman’s status. Funny how God can push us out of our comfort zone in order to receive the forgiveness and cleanliness we need, isn’t it?
As an aside, that Guy Rowe portrait is amazing! So detailed and real-looking and beautiful! Thank you for the work you do with this blog- it really is a blessing.

Lindsey

====== John:

Mike,

It seems several of Elisha’s signs and wonders foreshadowed what Christ did on a smaller scale.

Oil – Water into wine

Restoration of Life – Elijah and Elisha prayed and asked – Jesus commanded.

Feeding – as you said

Naaman – cleansing of leper – picture of salvation – great detail in the commentary from bible.org.

Biggest thing that struck me about Naaman was how he had to humble himself to go in the Jordan river.

“As long as Naaman was proud, he would never obey the Lord in humble belief or faith….Self conceit and the various ego trips of men are typical of the unregenerate heart and even of the carnal mind of the regenerate. It is so hard to realize just who we are, mere creatures, and to submit to God’s plan. We must let God be God!”
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=836

To me, because I went through this process – and it was difficult, becoming humble and willing to submit your will to God’s is an INTEGRAL part to the salvation process. I think it is enveloped in the thought that you must come to God with a “right heart” – and HE KNOWS if it is right or not.

Without that humility and abandonment of pride, in my opinion all the praying in the world will not help you achieve salvation. Because that praying will end up being lip service and mean nothing if the Heart is not right.

I can easily see myself as Naaman sitting on his horse saying – “I have to do what???? Hey, I am here am I not??? I showed up, and I am willing to do a lot of things for salvation – get on my knees, pray, acknowledge, but you want what? Complete submission?? I..I..I.. don’t know about that???

I am just ever so thankful that God made me aware that what I did initially was not good enough. It was not until I got off “my horse” – was finally broken and submissive that the process of salvation was completed (in my case).

John

====== John:

Anka,

Not sure Naaman moved on without God in his life.

“Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant….

…for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the LORD.”

We just don’t know. He proclaimed God, and said his sacrifices in future would be to God. But he wanted forgiveness if he got caught in a “state/official” ceremony. (Actually this is a good sign, as it shows a sensitivity and knowledge that it would be wrong to bow down to an idol.)

We don’t know how God acted in his case. Maybe it was a needless worry in that after seeing Naaman cured and hearing the story – the king may have exempted Naaman from such ceremonies. The king cared enough to send him to Israel, needs his battle expertise – who knows what compromises for ceremonial functions the king would be inclined to favor.

Elisha’s absence of a “yeah or nay” seems to indicate that he was willing to leave it in God’s hands.

[commentary gave as an option, that Naaman may even have thrown some of the “earth from Israel” down on ground before kneeling in a ceremony.] – again, we just don’t know.
John

====== Pat:

Psalms 141:3 really stands out to me this morning, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord. Keep watch over the door of my lips.” Through the lips of my mouth can come gossip, lies, slander, hateful or sarcastic words, or words said in a tone of voice that can invoke hurting another person’s feelings. I think this is a verse that I need to include over and over again in my daily prayers!

God Bless!
Pat

====== Nancy:

I think you are correct about the Shunamite woman’s faith. Having lived in an isolated area in Africa I’ve come to realize that life there is closer to Bible times than the lives we live in the US. There when a person dies, they are buried immediately. I think, because of her faith, she didn’t tell anybody because they would have had the child buried before she even got back. Her silence ensured that the child would still be there when she returned with Elisha whom she knew could heal him.

Nancy

====== Frederick:

Acts 15:1, 5, 24,
The Council at Jerusalem

1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.

The disputes, the arguments between the Pharisees and Paul and Barnabas were due to, as the Letter written after the Jerusalem Council described, unauthorised people which did not belong to them (the apostles and elders). This acknowledgement is important: the disputes were not from God. These ‘people’ were not from God.

The Key elements of the success of the Jerusalem Council:

1) Unity in Christ

Acts 15:3

3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

Although Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles while, Peter, James and other apostles and elders were for the Jews, they were different. But they were one in Christ. They welcomed Paul and Barnabas when they went to Jerusalem. ‘All the believers’ were very glad, hearing the work of God via Paul and Barnabas. This showed their unity in Jesus as supposed to the ‘unauthorized people’ who were not glad at what Paul and Barnabas said and did; but instead they aroused disputes.

2) Collective Wisdom and confirmations

Acts 15:6, 7a, 12, 13

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.

7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them:…

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

13 When they finished, James spoke up.

Peter spoke of his witness about the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit. Paul and Barnabas shared their witness of God’s work via them to the Gentiles. James also spoke up.

3) Back to Jesus (not Moses!!!) and the Bible

Acts 15:10 -11, 15

15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:…

10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Peter said that, we were saved through the grace of Jesus (as opposed to the ‘unauthorised people’ that it was due to Moses!)

James quoted the bible to support the decision (Amos 9:11,12).

In any disputes, we should go back to Jesus (not Moses) and the Bible (which directs us to Jesus)!

The requirements to the Gentiles:

Acts 15:28-29

28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

I believe we should pay attention to this requirement in the Letter written by the Jerusalem Council for it summed up the laws of Moses that is applicable to the Gentiles.

Frederick

====== Joyce:

Mike and everyone,
Psalm 141:5 NASB
“5 Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; It is oil upon the head; Do not let my head refuse it, For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.”
The rebuke of the righteous is a blessing, a kindness, not something to be upset about.
David considered it as the oil priests were anointed with.
Psalm 133:2 NASB
“2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard,
Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.”
Also in Proverbs 27:6a KJV
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
And in Proverbs 6:23b NASB
‘And reproofs for discipline are the way of life”
Psalm 141:8-10 NASB
“8 For my eyes are toward You, O God, the Lord;
In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless.
9 Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me,
And from the snares of those who do iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I pass by safely.”
Our eyes need to be ever toward the Lord;
He is our refuge, He can keep us from the jaws and snares of evildoers.
And we need to trust that in His justice, He would let the wicked fall into their own nets, while He delivers us – amen.

God bless!
Joyce

====== Judith:

Did anyone else notice that at the end of chapter 4 today Elisha busted out with a miracle that seemed to foreshadow Jesus’ loaves and fishes miracles??

I did notice this and was surprised because this is my third time through the Bible, and I never remembered this miracle by a prophet. I also vaguely remember the story of the Shumanite woman, but forgot that a prophet had brought her son back to life.

This is why we need to keep reading and studying the Bible. We also need to work on our praying….at least I do. I pray from the heart, but I also have a one year book of personal prayer that show me how people of great faith pray: people who struggle with the same things I do, and for family, and our world.

Judith

====== Dee:

In 2nd Kings love the shunammite woman and her story is neat because she teaches faith in silence. She believed God sent her a child and that even if he was sick he could resurrect him to life. That’s a promise she believed Amen.

Naaman learned the hard way that bribes or money won’t buy a fancy healing. Yes God does what he says he will but it’s not by your works or might and may humble you and even if it’s a weird request Do it anyway!

Again Proverbs backs up not to take bribes of be the one bribing..it will only lead to trouble. Amen

Dee

======= Vance:

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

======= Raeann:

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

-Raeann

======= Barbara:

My second blog comment. I like the Israelite servant girl whom God sent to live with Aramites, basically unbelievers. She must have been treated kindly and suggested good advice for her master, Namaan. I love how God uses us wherever we are to glorify Him, another example Daniel working for Babylon government!
Barbara
June 22nd Bible in a Year Readings

June 22, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

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

======= Ramona:

Mike doing anything for anyone without the motivating factor of love is useless and will not earn you “goodie” points with God. Well it’s not really useless for the person or people you are doing it for but it is useless for the person doing if there is no love and that is by way of the Apostle Paul as written in the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians,.

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

II Kings 3-4:17

What I love about the bible are all the personal stories of the Patriarchs, the Prophets and kings. To me their stories are like Case Studies that I can observe, study and see all the warts, mistakes, miss-steps and obedience to God or lack there of. Since we live in a “Cause and Effect” world, I don’t have to bop myself upside the head repeating the same mistakes they did. If I study carefully their choices and the subsequent consequences, I can avoid failing down the same well they did. There are so many traps laid out to catch us and it is wonderful to have inside knowledge of how the devil operates, as well as avoiding those choices that eminent from my focus on “self.”

Jehoshaphat again aligns himself with Ahab’s family. This time it is his son, Joram. The last time this happened he almost got himself killed (I Kings 22), yet he again forms a pact with Israel. However because Jehosaphat is with Joram, the prophet Elisha, given the Word of the Lord regarding the battle, tolerates Joram and God gives them a great victory. How many people think they are all that and a bag of chips because they have been involved in something that is successful; however, the success of the project is not because they have clean hands or favor with God, it is because someone on the team is being honored by God because God is giving them respect and favor. I know I have been guilty of that.

We would laugh if we found out that the donkey Jesus rode on in his triumphant entry into Jerusalem thought that all the cheering was for him. But we are like the donkey when we take credit for things that succeed because we think it’s all about us; instead of realizing that the victories we experience, the favor we have, come because God sees us through the prism of His Son, Jesus. When God looks at me, a Christian, He does not see me He sees Jesus.

Isaiah 64:

6We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away.

Acts 14:8-28

When someone who can walk is injured and has to stay off their feet for even one week, when they become ambulatory again, they have a problem with balance. If someone is immobilized for an extended period, they usually go to a rehabilitation hospital to learn to walk and move again. This man that was healed had never walked before so not only did he receive strength in his feet to walk, he got instantaneous control of muscles he had never used before. That is just awesome.

Psalm 140:1-13

I imagine that David wrote this Psalm as he dodged King Saul’s dogged attempt to catch and kill him. Instead of trying to ambush and kill Saul or using the two opportunities that walked into his life to take Saul out, David gave the job of extracting vengeance over to God. David is such a role model to follow when others have wronged us and we want to get our pound of flesh. God takes care of all those who come against His servants and children. That is knowledge that I need to get deep down inside of me.

Proverbs 17:22

How we approach the day, how we respond to our situations and circumstances is a matter of choice, always was, is and will be. Circumstances shouldn’t color our day, we should color our circumstances with a joyful attitude. Happiness is based on circumstances; joy is based on knowing the outcome. As Christians, we are more than conquers which implies that we will have things to conquer, but we win!

As the Apostle Paul states, 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4)

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Michelle:

I think one of the most amazing things about the story with Paul & Barnabas is that they had to work so hard to keep the people from falling into idolatry and worship of them. In our American culture, that’s what everybody seems to be looking for—celebrity! Even some in ministry unfortunately. And then this same crowd that was ready to make sacrifices for them and worship them as Zeus and Hermes was so quickly stirred up to anger and violence by rabble rousers. Even if they had had selfish motives and wanted to bask in the glow of all this idolatry, it would have turned on them with such a fickle crowd. Moral of the story: don’t believe the hype!

Thanks so much for doing this blog. It has been a real blessing to me this year.

Michelle

====== Tina:

In regards to your last question…I sort of have a stating of the obvious. Maybe I am just dense, but I never read Proverbs 17:22 this way before…

I’ve been thinking and talking a lot lately about rejoicing always. Not just rejoicing when things are going well. I find, though, that all too often I (and most everyone I know) are fine with rejoicing so long as we are happy with life…but will give over to grumbling and complaining as soon as that changes.

This verse sort of reinforced this thought for me…that we are to rejoice always…are to have a joyful heart always. I love that he calls it medicine.

Who takes medicine when they are well?

The joy of the Lord is our medicine…what makes us well and gives us strength to stand no matter what life brings.

That just smacked me upside the head this morning! But I am glad for it!!

Tina

====== Anka:

Jehoshaphat was a man who held no grudges,even though in an attempt to save himself,Ahab put Jehoshaphat’s in danger,he still went along to help Ahab’s son.Even though Joram wasn’t as evil as his parents were…he was still bad…and Elisha had no respect for him.
It’s so obvious from this OT reading who’s godly(Jehoshaphat,Elisha)and who’s not…Their lives spoke of their faith.I guess that’s what I want in my life as well….that my life truly be a light…that I live out my faith and love for God(and my neighbours)not just profess it.
I thought a bit about the Shunammite lady…she had money,she came to terms with the fact that she’s never have a son…so really she wanted nothing from Elisha except to show honour to God by showing kindness to His servant…no strings attached.
The same crowd that was ready to worship Paul and Barnabas turned against them…Sometimes I wonder if we as humans truly know how to worship…When we’re happy we sing out loud,praise God with all(?)our heart…when we’re faced with problems we get mad at the same God we once worshipped…some even reject Him completely…I pray that God teaches me how to worship Him…No stings attached..just because He is God and I am…terribly me(human)…Oh yes we should reject worship from men…I hear fans who go so nuts over their idols that they rip out earings,clothes from them…stalk them..even when we as christians “respect”,”adore” certain leaders that we feel God is using….we want to go and unload all our problems,we don’t care how tired they are….we just want them to pray for us,hoping for a touch from God..then if they make a mistake in their lives,we’re ready to stone them…..
I also pray to have the kind of heart Paul did…even with bruises from the stones,maybe even limping…he still went about the kingdom business…his faith so evident in his life…
God bless you all
Anka

====== John:

before even reading the rest of the blog, I must comment…

Mike thanks for the comments on LEGACY… I think they are right on track… And they are great! Loving GOD and loving people… We are all leaving a legacy… What a legacy to leave…

GLORY
John

======= Luch:

Here’s something on legacy that I found inspiring, but i can’t recall the author of the quote. “I expect to pass through this world but once. any good things, therefore, that I can do,any kindness that I can show a fellow being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” It reminds me of the proverb that says, “When it is in your power to do good do not withhold it.”

Part of Paul’s legacy in Acts 14 is that wherever he went he invested in people (called disciples) who invested in people. Jesus left us that legacy too when he gave us his last words of ‘making disciples who make disciples who make disciples, unti He returns.’

Luch

====== Sherri:

The reading today about the woman with the empty vessels reminds me of a recent empty-vessel experience in my life. After 15 years working at the local newspaper, my job was eliminated. I could have applied for one of a handful of jobs that were created in the reorganization or I could have done nothing and walked away with a severance package that would continue to provide income for about six months. Should I try for a sure thing — one of those new jobs — or should I walk away? I took it before the Lord and was very sure that I was being led to walk away. My colleagues were shocked. What are you going to do? they asked. I had no idea. I would spend some time with my kids, try some freelancing, look around for another job, and if worse came to worse move back home with my parents. (I’m almost 40 and would not want to do that, but they said my family and I were welcome and I was willing to go, if that was God’s will.) I had emptied my vessel and laid it before God, then I filled it with the only “oil” I had — complete faith in God. Well, before I could get my first unemployment check a job offer came in with comparable pay, good benefits and better hours. And get this — I had not contacted this employer. The vice president, a former co-worker, contacted my husband. Said he had heard about my predicament. He was down to a handful of finalists for an open position but he said if I got my information to him right away he would consider me alongside the other candidates. I did as he requested and I got the job! Hallelujah! Was that a “God thing” or what?! If I had planned the future myself, without laying it empty before God, I probably would have gone for the “sure thing” and applied for one of those other newspaper jobs. I probably would have been unfulfilled and unhappy. Newspaper readership is declining. I could well have found myself in a tough spot again in a very short time. I have yet to start my new job, but knowing that God orchestrated it I believe it will be just what I need for this season of my life. I am so grateful to Him and I pray that the concept of the empty vessel — just like those in our reading today — will be one that stays with me for the rest of my life and that God helps me share with others.

Sherri

====== John:

Acts 14: Lystra

In a time and area of the world where magic, sorcery, and other activities alleged to have abounded – WHY jump on these guys bandwagon so quickly?

Because the area had, according to legend, screwed up before – and lest it happen again, and they be wiped out – the people of Lystra were trigger happy to worship the return of what they thought were Zeus and Hermes.

“Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.”

In Greek mythology, it was common for the “gods” to come to earth in human form, though they did not always do so for the good of man… The people in Lystra had a legend that once Zeus and Hermes had visited their land disguised as mortals, and no one gave them any hospitality except for one older couple. In their anger at the people, Zeus and Hermes wiped out the whole population, except for the old couple. No wonder the people of Lystra were so quick to honor Paul and Barnabas! – David Guzik

Now Zeus and Hermes (whom the Romans called Jupiter and Mercury) were traditionally connected with that region; in the eighth book of his Metamorphoses (lines 626 ff.) the poet Ovid tells a well known story of how they came to those parts incognito and received hospitality from an aged couple, Philemon and Baucis, who were well rewarded for their kindness, while their inhospitable neighbours were overwhelmed by a deluge.
http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/ffbruce/ntdocrli/ntdocc08.htm
======================================================
Paul’s Follow-Up: Going back to previous “stops”.

Personally this hit me hard. I received almost no follow-up after salvation. I travelled to a family church 30 miles up the interstate, and was on my own the next 6 days. Person at work who pointed me to Christ hardly ever spoke to me – surely not as much as he did when trying to “evangelize me”/”save me”.

My faith was not an issue, but after wonderful Sunday worship – I found myself after six months finding it harder to hit my knees in prayer, read the Bible, think of Christ – I JUST started becoming easily distracted. Then going back getting “right” on Sunday only to drift again thru another week.

I am not talking about an indoctrination, but just “caring” for other Christians. A phone call, an email, an accountability/prayer partner, a Bible Study Group, occasional planned activities, and PRAYER for the new Christians.

Paul and Barnabas seemed to have a very succinct and patterned system for follow-up. It is a little different than above because “new” churches (groups of people) were involved – but other than “organization” it would seem also to apply to individual new Christians.

[“They” being Paul and Barnabas]

“They were willing to give up their lives to carry the gospel.” But have you ever known anyone willing to give up his life for follow-up? They did. They went back to the cities, and it would have been hotter for them than their first visit. It would have been very easy for them to say, “They are already saved, let’s play it cool. They are going to get to heaven.” They were so committed to follow-up that they would spend their lives if need be. That is some kind of commitment. I find that there are many people burdened over leading people to Christ, and willing to give their lives to preach the gospel, but I don’t find too many people giving their lives to follow-up the saints.”

http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg1749.htm

ELEMENTS OF FOLLOW-UP

1)”strengthening the disciples” – Gk. episterizo: which is made up of epi meaning “upon,” and sterix meaning “a prop” or “a support.” Paul and Barnabas went back to prop up the disciples. Episterizo is used four times in the book of Acts for propping up new believers (Ac. 14:21; 15:32, 41; 18:23). Literally it means “to strengthen.” They helped the disciples to stand on their own and to be strong. – John MacArthur

2)”encouraging them to remain true to the faith” – Exhorting them – The word “encouraging” is parakaleo in the Greek and means “to push a person toward a certain kind of conduct.” It is like saying, “Here are the facts, now go do it!” – ibid.

[Purpose of exhorting is to have them continue in faith, and be prepared for the coming hardships (spiritual warfare).]

3)Organization: appointed “elders” so the people would have local leadership when Paul and Barnabas were gone.

4)prayer with fasting: concentrated prayer

5)”committed them to the Lord” – in the end when all the follow-up of the evangelists is done – they “commended” the new believers (church) to God.

Cited direct lifts from a John MacArthur sermon.

John

====== Becky:

Reading the bible takes a lot of study and thought, and each and every time I open the book I learn something new, no matter how many times I read it. I love the bible and the gospel, but have been struggling with church lately, which has been kind of hard for me. I have been reading Ray Barnett’s book about titled, “THE GATHERING.” THE GATHERING sets people free – pastors, church members, and “wounded orphans” who have long since left the institutional church. It sets them free by allowing them to think about issues that have previously been encased in tradition to the point of suffocation. It has been a great book.

Becky

====== Joyce:

Mike and everyone,
2 Kings 3:1-4:17
i was inspired by a sermon by Simon Robinson called “Under the Influence” at sermoncentral.com:
Jehoshophat had already been rebuked by the Lord (through His Prophets) for his alliance with the last 2 Kings.
2 Chronicles 19:2
2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. (NIV)
2 Chronicles 20:37
37 Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade. (NIV)
And yet when asked by Ahab’s son Joram to join him in battle against Moab,
7b And Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.” (2 Kings 3:7b NLT)
Joram, the Scripture tells us –
“He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, but not to the same extent as his father and mother… he continued in the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had committed and led the people of Israel to commit.”(2 Kings 3:2,3 NLT)
And Jehoshaphat only remembered to inquire the Lord’s guidance much later, when the alliance of Judah, Israel, and Edom went through wilderness for seven days without water.
In the end, though the Lord did help the three allies, the battle had led to “death, destruction, and human sacrifice”, when the Moabites turned to human sacrifice in desperation.
How different would be outcome be if Jehoshaphat had sought out the Lord’s guidance at the outset?
May this story be a reminder for us, to daily seek the Lord and His Word as our life’s guidance.
“Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.” (Psalm 119:1 NIV)
grateful for Simon Robinson’s sermon;
most of all – grateful for God’s inspired Word.

God bless you!
Joyce

====== Kathy:

Mike-Thank you SO much for your blog, it blesses me and my husband daily and I thank The Lord for you and your ministry.

I think your legacy is wonderful as it does connect to the first and second commandments. So does J.O.Y. Jesus, Others, Yourself. 🙂

I wrote a personal mission statement (legacy) back in 2009 and it is similar to yours…
“Glorify and serve Jesus Christ while encouraging, inspiring and loving others!”

ALL for Him,

Kathy

====== Dee:

Good evening all! Cute analogy about the donkey Ramona
2 Kings 3:1-4:17
Israel. Judah both groups team up again. This was in the 18th year of Jehosophats reign
This time was to fight against Moab.

Jehosophat made me think of book of Ruth. The allegiance and love
“You and I are one. My troops are your troops- my horses your horses-

King jehosophat -seeks a prophet of the Lord

Elisha -gets called
While the harp played – the Spirit was all upon Elisha
The moabite clan-what a disaster- to sacrifice their own child-so sad

We got to see and witness Elisha and see how awesome he was – helping-the widow and giving wise advice and giving back to the Shunammite woman who was so sweet and hospitable.

Acts 14:8-28
Place: Lystra Paul and Barnabas were healing others based on the faith of believers – a crippled man
The people were calling them gods – this saddened them- Paul got stoned again- left for dead. He got up – went on with Barnabas to Derbe returned to Lystrq , Iconium and Antioch- appointed elders in every church- ended today in Antioch God opened the door of faith for gentiles!

Psalm 140:1-13 Psalm of David
Rescue me and Lord keep evil away- from me and my family, friends, close ones-protect them

Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine but a broken spirit saps a persons strength.

Dee

====== Anka:

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

====== Reuben:

Good thoughts today, Mike.
Reuben

====== Billy:

Mike, I think your legacy would be just perfect.
Billy
June 21st Bible in a Year Readings

June 21, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

II Kings 1-2:25
As I read through these two chapters I realized that the number fifty is all over the chapters. There are three sets of fifty men who are sent by King Ahaziah to take custody of Elijah. In the second chapter, a group of fifty men watches (7) as Elijah and Elisha are beside the Jordon River. Moreover, after the chariot takes up Elijah the prophets offer to form a search party to find Elijah consisting of fifty of their strongest men. I remember that David’s two sons, Ablsalom and Adonijah used fifty men to run before them in their attempt to usurp their father’s throne. I’m not sure if that number is just a number or if there is some significance.

What struck me about the two sets of fifty men who were burnt up at the word of Elijah were their cavalier attitude toward the prophet as they came to arrest him. They called him a “Man of God,” yet their attitude toward him seem to be disrespectful. Could their approach be a form of “Taking the Lord’s name if vain?” Was the tone of their request filled with sarcasm and mockery instead of reverence for the Name of God?

Attitude is everything. Attitude determines approach and approach determines success or failure.

Do I come to God using His name in vain? Do I come to God with an attitude of sarcasm and mockery instead of reverence and godly fear? Sarcasm and mockery are rooted in unbelief so do I really believe that God will do what He has said He will do?

Acts 13:42-14:7

13 45 But when the Jewish leaders saw the crowds, they were jealous.

Why are we moved to jealousy? If the love of money is the root of all evil then jealously must fuel the desire to gain the money that is so sought after. The leaders wanted the crowds for themselves, to fulfill their need for recognition and power. I’m trying to think back to the time when I couldn’t stand Christians. I told myself now that I detested Christians because of the abuse I experienced at the hands of supposed Believers. Now I’m wondering if the real cause, the true cause was jealously disguised under a cloak of pain and fear? I know not all believers are wolves dressed up as sheep so why did a chose to focus on the wolves instead of the sheep. I must do some deep soul searching.
Psalm 139:1-24

5 You both precede and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.

God is encamped around about me no matter where I take myself outside of his direction. In the 23rd Psalm, The Lord is the Psalmist’s Shepherd who leads him, guides him, finds food for him. However, in the forth verse, the Psalmist’s dependency on God for everything is broken by the “I” word, “Though I walk …” It appears that God is no longer directing at this point, yet he fears no evil because His rod, His staff comforts David. So the sweet Psalmist of Israel had first hand knowledge of God encasing him with his presence.
Proverbs 17:19-21

21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

Often times the words of Solomon cuts to the quick and one doesn’t have to think on or contemplate the meaning of his wise words, one knows deep in the heart experientially that the words are true. I can confirm the truth of the above verse.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Tina:

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

Tina

====== Anka:

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

====== Caryn:

Psalm 139 always brings to mind a significant turning point in the way I saw myself. As a young adult, at one stage I was really questioning the point of my existence. A godly man explained to me that I was birthed into the world because God decided the world needed a Caryn. So he found the right mother and father to make a Caryn and planted me in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139 confirms that for me, and changed my perspective on my life.

Following that line of thought – it occurred to me this morning that we are so much more than the sum total of our physical being. We are firstly God-designed souls and secondly physical beings.

Caryn

====== Luch:

2 Kings 2 is one of the greatest passages on the power of association and what a genuine mentoring relationship can be. When Elijah appears to be telling Elisha to stay put, Elisha says, “As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together…” The word that keeps repeating through this chapter is ‘they went on together.” Several times Elisha says, “Surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” 2kings 2:6

Has there ever been a more poignant scene in the bible then when Elijah is uniquely whisked away by God, and Elisha cries out, “My father! My father! The chariots and charioteers of Israel…..” There was passion and pain in this moment.
Where are the relationships of leadership like this one today in our churches and christian communities? Maybe we’re in too much of a rush to go through the years it takes to build into people’s lives. There is so much to this story. I thank God for the two or three Elijahs in my life, who have lived so close to God that I have not wanted to let them out of my sight.
May these kinds of relationships continue to emerge, and may we even aspire to be an Elijah to someone.

Luch

====== Laura:

Psalm 139 13-14
Says it so beautifully. This is indeed a pro-life verse if there ever was one!
God knew us before the beginning in time. He created us. “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” How can abortion ever be right? Why would anyone want to destroy what God created?

I spend many years as a counselor at a Woman’s Friend Crisis Pregnancy Center. What an awesome ministry it was. I lead many people to the Lord and helped save the lives of countless babies that would of been aborted. I myself am not able to have children. It was a result of my own sin and my past. When I became a Christian, I repented of my sins especially the most horrible sin of all, which allowed the life my unborn baby to be taken from my body 31 years ago. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t regret that sin.

I know God has forgiven me and has used me in the battle to save the lives of the unborn. I have been a faithful crusader in the pro-life movement. Adoption should be the only option when there is an unplanned pregnacy, and the mother chooses not to parent the baby. It is not up to anyone to take the life of that baby. God’s plans could of been foiled somehow. There are many unborn babies somewhere in heaven that God may of had some kind of marvelous plans for.

I can’t wait until I get to heaven to see all my children. I had a miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy several years ago. Many woman can relate to the pain this may of caused them. God can bring you comfort in this situation too.

One message that I would like to get across to readers in here is: If you have had an abortion, God can forgive you, he forgives all sin. There is a wonderful bible study called PACE that you can find out about at your local crisis pregancy center. It is the best way to have closure and peace and to be assured of God’s love, grace and forgiveness to get past this particular part of your life that may be weighing heavily upon your heart.

Peace….. God loves you, He’ll get you through the pain and onto healing. Rest assured……….

Laura

====== Romayne:

Yep – Ps 139 does it for me too. I first really connected with it after watching a Michael W Smith concert video (of his Calgary concert I think), where he spoke the entire psalm ad lib (with no cue cards) – now THAT was something awesome for me to hear, and it inspired me to try learning the psalm myself, and although I never quite managed to remember it enough to relate it as he does, I did plant enough of it in my heart, for it to continue to be a huge blessing to me. And interestingly, Tom D’s comments (one-year bible audio) for it today were equally heart hitting -and once again, God has used the psalm to hit me hard about some issues I’ve only now discovered I’ve stubbornly been ignoring and for some mad reason being fearful of His Will for my future – but He’s definitely doing something awesome in my life just now, and each day’s readings provides something new he throws at me to keep me in line :).

On another note, while I have never had kids myself, and actually never really connect with them I’m still hugely pro-life, purely because of this psalm as much as the new technology that is now revealing the foetus at its earliest stages moving and acting with intent – late-stage abortions are nothing less than murder in my view regardless of what reasons are put forward for them to be done. Except in the rarest of cases they should be utterly outlawed. And I think the doctors need to step up and state the gruesome facts more often – although we don’t want to see a return to backstreet abortions, neither should women be lulled into any sense of security about late-stage ones in particular being ‘acceptable’ just because it suits them. But yes, I also appreciate that having undergone such an act, many women will never recover from the impact it will have on their lives, and they need to be healed spiritually as well as emotionally/physically. Appreciate your info Laura.

Romayne

====== Pat:

A MARVELOUS TEACHING TOOL = 2 Kings 2:23-24 – the story of Elisha sending the bears to attack the kids who made fun of him for being bald. Mom took Scripture at face value and used it as a teaching tool. There wasn’t a kid she ever worked with from family, church, scouts, and etc. that wasn’t introduced to this passage. Mom stressed that all people are God’s people and God does not tolerate making fun of other people. If you mock or make fun of other people then you are going to suffer consequences for it. Your bear might not be a four-legged grizzly bear or black bear but the consequence will be severe. It’s amazing how many kids she worked with use to quote this scripture and now as adults they use it to instruct the kids they work with. This is a marvelous lesson for kids and adults alike. Maybe is more people taught this Scripture there would be fewer bullies in schools and this world today.

God Bless,
Pat

====== Eva:

“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

I am thinking about us people and kids growing up without having parents that help them to be a nice person as adults.

Some will be lost in bad things but some doesn’t. Do God feed kids to the enemies ? God need also bad things to happen for to test us that am around a bad person. What are we doing to build up a foundation when it has been destroyed ?

Does we care for that person or do we turn our back from that person ?

I got a big answer in today’s reading. I have 4 times seen 3 men coming down in a cloud to me and I have wonder who it was but they are really alive and here in the text do I read there ar 3 men that has been taken up to heaven without beeing dead, Enoch, Elijah and Jesus so now I know who was the 3 men in the cloud I have seen.

In Psalm 139 do I read how all babies ar God’s treasure and how wrong it is with abortion because whatever in what way the baby has been made from is it a God’s creation and I have told so many girls that have been in thoughts of doing an abortion that she don’t know but the baby mybe grow up to be a blessing for her. There is many nice and sucess full people that have been made from a father that wasn’t good but they made it anyway.
Never destroy God’s creation.

That’s why we also have the commendment that says we shouldn’t murder ( Abortion, killing yourself, put people down…and so on )

It was much to think about and much wisedom in the text today.

Have a blessed day !

Eva

====== Carmen:

I loved todays reading. It was fantastic. What a blessing to read His word! My favorite verse of the day is:

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous–and how well I know it.”

This verse has brought me comfort many times in my life. In my life I have had many health problems ranging from; Rheumatoid Arthritis, liver disease, chronic anemia, kidney failure,diabetes and many more. There have been times in my life when I felt disdain towards my body. Once I even cursed it. Since then I have learned my lesson. I am thank full for what God has given me and Praise Him for I know NOW that I am wonderfully made. It has been a long journey of faith and tears. But God has been with me the whole time..giving me hope and strength.
I do not contemplate the negatives anymore. I have my eyes on HIM and I know He loves me. So what do I have to worry about? After all, my life is in His hands. Your life is also in His hands and He loves you and cares for you. So do not worry for tomorrow. God is in control! After all, you are “wonderfully made”. 🙂

Carmen

====== Robyn:

Blessings in Jesus’ Name. Today’s reading were such a blessing to me.

Psalm 139 shows just how much the Lord knows us through and through. Every aspect of our lives depends on His doing. Each individual on earth was created by God so fearfully and wonderfully in our own unique way. God is there waiting on us to fully acknowledge Him and for Him(God) do much abundantly for each of us. He came that we all may have Eternal Life and have it abundantly. Rest in God’s Assurance and Love and see His(God) works for us all. God Bless.

Robyn

====== Sherri:

Earlier today, I was tempted to stray to a Web sites that I knew was inappropriate — a site that had tempted me and drawn me in before. I could almost hear Satan whisper in my ear that it was okay to go ahead and look — God would forgive me. Besides, the Bible doesn’t explicitly say anything about looking at that particular site. Maybe it’s not so bad after all. Satan was doing a real rationalization number on me! I don’t know a lot of Scripture word for word, but I know that David fled temptation and we often have to do the same. So I got up and walked away from the computer. Returning to the computer tonight, it was a blessing to read Psalm 139. It was confirmation for me that God is with me whereever I am, including the times I sit before the computer screen. He knows what I’m thinking and I’m never out of His sight. I want to bring Him joy, and I know that if I had given in to the temptation I would have grieved Him instead. It was reassuring and comforting to be reminded of God’s omnipresence.

Sherri

====== Terri:

We just got through with VBS at our church and one of the verses came from Psalms 139..it was I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well!! I am amazed at how God works in such mysterious ways sometimes! Thanks for this OYB blog…I enjoy it very much!

Terri

====== Janice:

Psalm 139 is the scripture that I read that made me KNOW that God loved even me. It is so powerful to know that He chose me to be born. Praise God for her eternal and everlasting love.

Janice

====== Greg:

Psalm 139 is indeed my favorite psalm and I’ve been looking forward to it for more than a week! You “knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-“
I will always have special memories of sharing this Psalm with my mother in the last days of her earthly life. It speaks to me of a loving God who cars for us in our mother’s womb, through our earthly lives and into eternity. Wow.

Greg

====== Dee:

2nd Kings 1:1-2:25
Kong Ahab died. What kind of man was it? Is the topic today. Elijah man of God : but just like us listened to God’s voice..trusted the Lord to protect him, he did the Lord’s will.

We got to see the successor of Elijah and Elijah got called up in a chariot of fire. Wow! -Elisha- 🙂 new successor

Acts 13:42-14:7
Paul- a man on the move- went to Iconium- bad idea..Lystra -treated like gods- crowds are fical.

Paul and Barnabus -Christ followers 1st, crowds 2nd and themselves 3rd.

Psalm 139:1-24
Beautiful Psalm
A Psalm of David-Faithful believers -encourage -if not encouraged it will surprise u as He knows all about us..independently..knows me personally
God made us unique: He knows what u love – u don’t know your own heart as much as God does!

Dee

======= John:

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

======= Vance:

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

======= Barbara:

Hello. My first blog comment ever. Before i started studying the bible and when my son was little, i read him The Runaway Bunny. When i first read Psalm 139 it was very familiar like i read it before. I know its a secular childrens book, and Psalm 139 is so beautiful and worth memorizing, and i cant help but wonder if book author had read Psalm 139 first.
Barbara
June 20th Bible in a Year Readings

June 20, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

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

======= Ramona:

I Kings 22:1-53

Mike you put a hard question out to all your readers.
>>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 we surround ourselves with things and people who will give us yeses, we are truly insecure people afraid to be challenged. I believe we desire “Yes” folks because deep down in our hearts we know we are wrong, wrong, wrong. Although we haven’t gotten to the book yet, Job, there is a statement made by Job that always rehearses in my memory. He states in Ramona’s paraphrase, “We all know truth when we hear it.”

11 Does not the ear test words
as the tongue tastes food? (Job 12:11)

Ahab knew the truth because when the true prophet, Micaiah, repeated the “good” news all the other four-hundred prophets voiced, Ahab told him to tell the truth! I wonder if we believe that “calling those things that be not as thou they were” (Romans 4:17) is man’s domain when the text says that it is God that calls things that are not as thou they were. We are a people given to self-deception and that deception has nothing to do with the devil but has everything to do with us trying to be our own gods. If we call something over and over again to be truth it will come to pass …NOT!

Acts 13:16-41
Speaking of Truth, Paul preaches a message of Truth in Antioch of Pisidia. The problem with truth is that no matter how you put it, sugar coat it, spoon feed it, it is always confrontational. When we are confronted with truth, we may block it out without giving honest thought to what is being said. In his message to those in the Synagogue, Paul holds a mirror up to the congregation and shows them what they look like.

Now there is something tricky about mirrors, they really don’t show what we look like to others they show what we look like to ourselves thus it is not a true reflection. A co-worker in my school has a small company called “True Mirror.” The mirrors made by this establishment have two pieces of glass or mirrors set at 90° angels to each other. When you see yourself in the mirror for the first time most don’t recognize themselves. Instead of having a opposite reflection looking back at you, you see what everyone else sees. If you raise your right hand, the left hand in the mirror doesn’t go up, the right hand goes up it is startling and there are a none to few people who walk away in disgust and never look at the mirror again.

I think that is how we are when truth is presented to us, especially the truth about ourselves. Like the “True Mirror” most walk away in disgust shaken up by what they see never to look in the mirror again.

Psalm 138:1-8
1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will sing your praises before the gods.

The Psalmist has decided to sing the True praises of God before all pretenders. Now if you want some conflict talk of God before all those things and people vying for the Throne of God.

Proverbs 17:17-18

I saw something in the seventh verse that I’ve never seen before. A friend, a true friend is never known until adversity comes into your life and that person remains a friend. I’ve heard it said that we should only be able to count friends, true friends on one hand. Now if one of those fingers represents Jesus, then we that leaves four if you count the thumb as being a finger. If not, well …

A friend is someone who knows everything about you and still likes you… and that friend is Jesus.

Jesus is a friend that loves you just the way you are; but He loves you too much to let you stay the way you are.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

Like Mike pointed out,Jehoshaphat was quick to see through the phoney prophets…guess it wouldn’t have been so hard if it’s mentioned one of them held on to a horn(a god?)who knows what the others had in their hands….Micaiah chickened out at first and told Ahab what he wanted him to hear.It’s very obvious Ahab knew Micaiah was truly a messenger from God…and maybe deep down he knew he wasn’t right with God…He realised Micaiah was lying…some people are terrible liars…when I was unsaved I stuck to the truth because when I lied my guilty face gave me away,wonder if that’s what happened to Micaiah…
Jehoshaphat was a man of peace,godly…was he also “unwise” or was it faith….Jehoshaphat was right with God,heard when the prophecy was given…it didn’t say he was going to die….so maybe he went out believing God was on his side….yet it does seem like he’s tempting the Lord by doing so….
Ahab was given several occasions to see God’s power but also His mercy….yet he refused to permanently repent….seems the fasting and ashes scene didn’t have any permanent effect as he quickly went back to his old ways……
It just struck me why David was a man after God’s heart….yes he had his many faults…but did he ever refuse to listen to God or his prophets….don’t remember seeing that.Paul had a revelation from God about David’I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
I pray we all do what God says so that we like David may be people after God’s own heart.
God bless you all.
Anka

====== Johnnie:

I love how in 1 Kings 22:34 it says “an Aramean soldier ‘randomly’ shot an arrow at the Israelite tropps and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor.”

We know that ‘random’ is the word they used, but we know that there is nothing random with God because he is a God of order.

Johnnie

====== Kristie:

Johnnie, I agree with you. That is what stood out to me. what an amazing passage of Scripture!

I also noticed how Micaiah’s prophesy was one of mercy
and grace. He told the whole “behind the scenes” story that God had sent a lying spirit into all the other prophets. Ahab at the point could have repented and not trusted the lie! But it only revealed his heart–that he didn’t want to trust God.

The rest of it is pretty colorful, isn’t it? Ahab’s body propped up in the chariot, the whole army fleeing, blood everywhere…then contrasted with v39…”Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, an the ivory house that he built and all the cities that he built…” Nice irony! Really points out what is important–our stuff and accomplishments?–or that we fear the Lord? What will it be?!?!?

Kristie

====== Ramona:

1 Kings 22:1-53

As I read this section of I Kings, Paul’s words came to mind:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV)

I know this verse is usually applied to marriage relationships; however, its application is relevant to any and all relationships. Jehoshaphat, a godly king, Ahab—well Ahab is a man given over totally to evil by his choice. I think, like Jehoshaphat, we are susceptible of forming dangerous alliances because many a time things appear to be good but is not and we set ourselves up for death.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 KJVR) What the “world” tells us to do to achieve success must be measured by the yardstick of God’s Word.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== John:

Anka,

Not sure if Micaiah chickened out???? and told Ahab what he wanted to hear.

Several commentators said Micaiah said the first prophecy in mocking and sarcastic tones.

I could not figure out their reasoning, until I realized if the prophecy had been delivered sincerely – that AHAB would have run with it. ‘SEE Micaiah agrees with all the others – let’s saddle up.’

Instead Ahab rebukes Micaiah and basically tells him to give it another go.

Jehosophat did a lot of good chronicled in 2Chron, but I would have thought twice about going out into this battle. Even more questionable than that decision was one made in his later years:

Jehoshaphat gave his son Jehoram to Athaliah in marriage, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Chronicles 18:1).

YIKES!!!!

Acts 13

Paul did speak to Jews and God-fearing Gentiles.

“Some commentators have complained that Paul preaches too much like Peter did on Pentecost. But what is to complain about? It shows us that Peter and Paul preached the same gospel, and the same gospel was preached some fifteen years after Pentecost as was preached on that first day.

i. Others note similarities between Paul’s sermon here and the sermon of Stephen in Acts 7. That was a sermon that Paul heard when he still hated the name of Jesus. Perhaps the sermon of the first martyr of the church was still ringing in the ears of the man who led his execution!” David Guzik

I have only given the two speeches (Stephen and Paul’s) a quick comparison. However it seems Paul while giving a historical overview with scripture references – has a little different spin.

Paul’s scripture references seem to revolve around the fulfilling of prophesy – while Steven’s are more for historical verification. Stephen then summarized at the end about Christ. Paul seemed to be building (based on prophecy) the “case for Christ” throughout his speech – after a brief intro.

John

====== Zenimah:

I was amazed when I read 1 Kings 22 1-53. I was amazed that the king allowed the prophets to go all out in their prophecy and when Micaiah joined them and said the same things they were saying the king was upset and said knock it off Micaiah, be truthful with me. Then Micaiah told the king the real deal the king said yeah! see he always says negative things about me. The king took what he said to heart and tried to out wit God’s plan by dressing up like some one else and going to battle. We cant hide from God, you know. No matter what we do. He tried to out wit and still was killed as Micaiah stated to him! This gives me a lot to think about in dealing with my own life.

Zenimah

====== Raeann:

The book of 1 Kings is all about wickedness and evil. All of the KINGS of Israel after Solomon DIED were corrupt and ninty-five percent of the KINGS of Judah were also corrupt and wicked. Solomon is a wise and good judge of morale character. Solomon builds GOD’S house in Jeruselum. Adonijah tried to take the kingdom from Solomon while David was STILL alive in his old age. Jeroboam seperates JUDAH from Israel when his laws are to harsh and corrupt creating the TWO kingdoms. The kings are corrupt from Elah to Ahab. They build groves and high places to worship idols. To try to turn Israel back to GOD, HE uses Elijah to cause a three year draught and famine in the land, to no avail. The book of 1 Kings is ALL evil and wickedness.

Raeann

====== Pat:

Mike, whenever I read today’s Scripture in 1 Kings it reminds me of today’s society. To me the 400 false prophets remind me of the all the ways society has skirted God’s instructions in order to justify the things they want to do instead of doing the things they should do. So many of God’s laws are being broken and society accepts that as being okay because everyone is doing it and says it is okay. How sad that is! The Bible instructs us to be law abiding citizens but it also instructs us to base our moral actions on what God says is the correct way to live instead of what government and society says is correct.

Pat

====== Janice:

So true Pat, I sometimes feel that the History of the World gives examples of what God has wanted us to live our lives..some how people have fogotten and have given in to being self satisfying..I am trying to make simple changes in my life but they have made a tremendous difference in my self worth…

Janice

====== Frederick:

Re: Mike,

I love your comment: Though Jesus, we become a spiritual family.

Frederick

====== Dee:

I like how you paraphrased yourself for what was in the Word, Ramona! love hearing your thoughts and will miss that when I start back to school.. (usually pressed for time by then)

11:10am EST June 20, 22
Can’t believe 1 Kings is done and 2 Kings begins tomorrow!! woohoo!
3 years -no war between Aram & Israel. I pointed that out, because in the Bible, it is unusual to have peace if but for one year, let alone 3 years when talking kingdoms.

The story begins with 2 characters: King(s) Jehosophat, Israel which was: Ahab
Ahab is discouraged that the land of Ramoth-Gilead has not been surrendered and besieged. After all, Ahab says it belonged to him and his territory. Ahab wanted Jehosophat to team up and conquer it. Jehosophat in his wisdom said let’s beseech the Lord first and get his counsel. I like that! So Ahab got his 400 “yes” men to come and tell him what he wanted to hear! Yes, go conquer you will receive victory. Jehosophat though felt that there had to be a definite man of “God” left a wise counsel to tell them the truth. Of course Ahab said, yes there is one: Macaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him, he always gives bad news! (that sounds familiar..Ahab never liked Gods prophets words of wisdom) these didn’t line up with King Ahab. What I wonder though is where is Elijah and Elishah?? Oh well. Jehosophat rather rebuked Ahabs words and was like..oh no! we should never refuse counsel good or bad from a Godly prophet of the Lord. Anyway.. the ruling was the demise of Ahab’s reign.. (again.. where is Jezebel?) Anyway..even with Ahab disguising himself, he got hit by an arrow and bled out propped up by evening.. dogs did what was prophesied by Elijah..sad.

Acts: 13:16-41
Paul-Speaking at Antioch..to Jews and Gentiles. Paul showed that God had a place for all who believed-shared the promises from Genesis on up through Saul (1/2nd Sam) and how God was raising one up who would never die or rot, and that was Jesus.

Psalm 138:1-8
Psalm of David
Everything in all the earth will thank u Lord-all will hear your words, They will sing the Lords ways.

Proverbs 17:17-18
A friend is always loyal..I do have a few good friends like that: Mel, Cookie, Ms Linda..(so thankful) A brother is born to help in time of need. Feel that way with my friend James..bless him.

Its poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend.. (haven’t done that and thankful.. even told son no..he was too young at time to secure such debt)

Dee

======= Vance:

I Kings 22 (NKJV)
8
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say such things!”
NOTE: I like this challenge and question: “I wonder if sometimes we – you and me – look for supposed ‘prophets’ of the Lord that are yes-people to our particular likings – instead of looking for Truth.”
Honestly, the temptation to do what I want instead of what God wants is there all the time. So, I must be equipped with intimacy with the Lord Jesus and spiritual weapons in Jesus’ Name to overcome in this spiritual battle.
Yet, THANK GOD!… that the core of the spiritual battle is REST in the Lord.
Psalm 37 (NKJV)
4
Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
If I “delight” in the Lord and really focus on praising Him—I will find Him to be my delight. He, as God—as the most High—is the One who can save me from sin, Satan, temptation, and deception.
Oh… to delight in and trust in the Lord with all of my heart!
~~
I Kings 22 (NKJV)
23
Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.”
NOTE:
What I have in my heart will determine my destiny. When we do not consistently and persistently seek the Lord and depend on Him because of God’s mercy, then we will be given over to the desire in our hearts.
God will give me over to what I want in my heart—whether good or evil. So I must persistently decide wisely.
Acts 13 (NKJV)
38
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
39
and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
NOTE:
THANK GOD!… for grace. I am drawn back to the verse I quoted above from Psalm 37 (NKJV):
4
Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
THANK GOD!… that I do not have to save myself through my works, through the law. THANK GOD!… that I can love the Lord with all my heart as I give myself to Him in worship and praise. God will give me the desire and ability to obey.
IN HIM is my salvation! This leads me directly to the wonderful Psalm reading today.
Psalm 138 (NKJV)
1
I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You.
7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.
8
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.
GOD IS FAITHFUL!
Vance
June 19th Bible in a Year Readings

June 19, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you Lost? Click here to be Found!

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

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

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

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

======= Ramona:

I Kings 20:1-21:29

Today’s reading gives proof that the goodness, blessings and mercies of God fall on the just and the unjust. Ahab, an ungodly king is given godly wisdom and favor. God’s mercies reign down on him to show him for a second time that God is indeed God over all the false gods that he and his wife, Jezebel, look to for guidance and protection.

Even when Ahab keeps alive Ben-hadad, whom he should have killed, even after acquiring Naboth’s Vineyard by giving his wife free reign to do as she pleases, the mercy of God (not getting what one truly deserves) the judgment called upon him by Elijah is stayed because Ahab humbles himself. However, the judgment is not really stayed only delayed until the next generation.

Someone must serve our choices, our decisions because we live in a cause and effect world. If we truly care for future generations, we will temper our choices and decisions with the Wisdom of God. For better or worse, they will suffer the consequences, good or bad, of the choices we make.

Acts 12:24-13:15

Matthew 6
24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in). AMP

Opposition to the gospel when really looked at is all about money and how to gain possession of more. Paul states in his letter to Timothy (I Timothy 6:10), For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

Although we screw this up and say money is the root, it really is the love of money. Elymas, the sorcerer was about to loose his meal ticket so his opposition to the Gospel centered on his appetite for recognition and the wealth his status would bring him. Little did he know there are greater riches to be had. These riches are not measured by human standards but God’s standards. The God, who created all things, including the gold, silver and diamonds man seeks after, gives us Himself. He is that Pearl of Great Price.

Psalm 137:1-9

For Christians our Jerusalem is carried in our hearts. Jerusalem = “teaching of peace” according to the Hebrew Lexicon. Jesus said in the fourteenth chapter of John,
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Since Jesus gave us peace then our Jerusalem is within us, in our hearts. So unlike the exiles who were captives in Babylon, no matter our circumstances, no matter our longitude or latitude we can always sing praises to our God. We are without excuse.

Mike, I am going to do a ‘teeny, tiny” bit of rebuking if you don’t mind. Concerning your comment about the reading in Proverbs, you are off base just a little.

Your comment, “I’m glad my parents didn’t pay too much heed to today’s Proverb 17 verse 16… 🙂 – “It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool who has no heart for wisdom.”

O.K. This may appear to be humorous and self-effacing but we do know that when we go against any of God’s laws and principles the end is always failure and death. Therefore, your parents did not violate this rule when they paid for your education; there is a BIG difference between knowledge and wisdom. True wisdom cannot be had outside of Jesus Christ who is the Wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1:24; 30).

If you did not have the heart for wisdom, true Wisdom, you would not be a Christian seeking to know Christ in a deeper way this WEB site is the proof that you are knocking, asking and seeking to grow closer to Christ.

Maybe this verse in the Amplified translation becomes clearer:

16 O what use is money in the hand of a [self-confident] fool to buy skillful and godly Wisdom–when he has no understanding or heart for it?

The issue really is about how we gain godly wisdom not the kind of knowledge gained from attending institutes of higher learning. Fools, as defined in Proverbs, will not come into the knowledge of God because they refuse to seek truth. God and Truth is synonymous.

All my love, as well as Grace and Peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

It seems God still tries to woo Israel over inspite of her disobedience and idolatry…Ahab wasn’t really seeking God’s opinion before going into battle yet God gave him victory…and showed him mercy….
As I read the NT reading,I realised something….the word of God spread and increased because the church wasn’t just a place people met when they needed prayers,a word….or just something to do…worshipping and fasting was a great part of their life..I pray that those with a similar longing in their hearts come together….like iron sharpens iron,let them sharpen each other….
God bless you all
Anka

====== Luch:

Did anyone notice the way God raised up leaders from the Antioch church? In Acts 11:19 we saw how a few of the believers broke out of their Jewish ethnocentricity to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. A wonderful work of God was done there. “the power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.” acts 11:20-21 But then we see how they mature through Saul and Barnabas’ efforts over the period of a year. You can’t microwave growth. It has to be intentional. These converts were cared for and discipled and brought to a level of maturity that we see in Acts 13. i say all this to say when we get to Acts 13 we have leaders emerging out of the Antiochian church. Already in this young faith community the gifts of prophet and teacher and apostle and teacher were being utilized. I think we can learn a lot more from these chapters in Acts then the latest church growth books.

Luch

====== Johnnie:

Proverbs hit home to me. My parents paid for my tuition during school. However, I came to the point where I was dropping classes left and right and then withdrawing from school — wasting my parents money.

What happened? My parents said, “If you want to go to college you will pay for it. When you finish the course and can show us your grade (it had to be a C or above) we will reimburse you for the expenses.”

Well, I finished my education only when I made up my mind that I was going to do it. The best thing is that because I had to work for it — I took more ownership of the education. It goes back to Nehemiah 4:6 — I finally had a *mind to work*.

Johnnie

====== Fred:

What struck me is God’s mercy in delivering the Aramens into the hand of Isreal through Ahab whose heart is far away from God. The lesson that I learn here is that God can use anybody to deliver His people and prove Himself mighty in the lives of those who are so boastful. I may be wrong or right please I need comments on this.

Again, It worries me that God was angry that Ahab did not kill Ben-Hadad but showed mercy and refer to him as a brother. Are we not expected to show love to our enemies? I was thinking that just as God forgives any repentant offender, we should do the same also. I need further help on this.

May the Holy spirit help us to have good understanding as we study the scriptures, Amen.

Blessings, Fred

====== Jane:

Oh do we get weighed down and caught up in the affairs of the world! But Jesus said “you will have troubles. Not may! But I have overcome the world! ” John 16:33. Thinking of.the charleston massacre right now hurts my heart. Not only mine but grieves the Father! Luke 21:12-19. ” People will hate you because of me. But you will gain life” We will be face persecution for Our Fathers sake. Stand firm, keep your eyes on the Father! God wants us on our knees. Not seeking praise from man but from God.

Jane

====== Dee:

1st Kings 20-21:29
Kimg Ahab-learn Jehovah was true God. Both Ben-hadad of Aram and King Ahab from Israel both lost due to compromise.

We hear from Elijah again! Yay. Poor Naboth dies! Gets stoned. On lies that was orchestrated by Ahabs wife Jezebel.
Elijah gives a message from God on what will happen to Ahab and his wife and entire family. However, Ahab repents and humbles himself and God postponed the punishment to his children / descendents

Acts 12:24-13:15
Will of Lord always wise and good, right to pray. Keep knocking , asking, seeking
Dedicated Barnabus and Saul today..went to Island of Paphos..filled with Holy Spirit, John Mark went with them as asst.
Saul became known as Paul
Went to Antioch

Psalm 137: 1-9
Out of Israel’s exile in babylon

Prov 17:16
It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool-who has no heart to listen

Dee

====== John:

Point of Transition

There is a reason that the church thrived in Antioch.

My first group Bible Study as a Christian was Acts, but I came in on the 16th? chapter. I had read quickly through the first 15 chapters to catch up and I missed the transition in chapter 12.

Bob summed it up very well in his “Conclusions” to yesterday’s commentary. For those that did not get a chance, or choose not to read bob’s work – enclosed are some excerpts below with a link back to yesterday’s commentary.

[“The first lesson to understand from our passage, and its broader context, is that this is a clear point of transition. Acts 12 is the end of one era, and chapter 13 is the beginning of another. Acts 12 is the account of the passing of Peter. Not that Peter passes from the scene by virtue of his death, but he passes from the scene by virtue of his absence. Chapter 12, in large measure, is a farewell to Peter, as chapter 13 is the commencement of a strong emphasis on Paul’s ministry.

But it is not merely the passing from the scene of one leader (Peter) and the rise to prominence of another (Paul). This change in personalities is but a signal, a pointer, to a much larger change—the transition from the Jews to the Gentiles, and from Jerusalem to Antioch. From here on out, the churches that are founded and that grow are predominantly Gentile in makeup. The Jewish church in Jerusalem and those saints who gathered in synagogues around the world of that day faded away, much like Peter. The reason is explained by Paul in Romans 9-11. The times of the Gentiles have begun, and the time of Israel’s hardening has come as well. Many Gentiles will be saved, but few Jews. Because of this, the church will become predominantly Gentile for centuries to come, until the return of our Lord which is yet future.

The arrest of Peter, and the intent of Herod and the Jews to kill him, is a very significant and final element in the judicial hardening of the Jews by God and in the conversion of many Gentiles. Up to this point in time, the gospel continued to be proclaimed in Israel. God’s arms were opened wide, and the Jews were urged to turn to Jesus as God’s Messiah. But now, virtually all Israel has heard the good news, and all Israel (with the exception of those saved) has rejected the gospel. The final rebellion and rejection of Israel is reported here, in Acts 12, just prior to the sending out of Barnabas and Saul from Antioch. God’s evangelistic thrust to the Gentiles in chapter 13, Luke is saying, is the result of Israel’s rejection of Jesus as the Christ (and of His church)….

….Now, in Acts 12, we see the final opposition movement in Jerusalem and Judea, before the destruction of that city by the Roman armies in 70 AD. It is not the leaders of the Jews who oppose the church here, but Herod and the Jewish people at large. Herod, not due to the pressure of the Jewish religious leaders, but by his own initiative, goes after the apostles and seeks to destroy the church. And the masses of the Jewish people love it, spurring him on. This is the last straw, for now virtually every segment of the society of Jerusalem has rejected Jesus and His church. Will God commence the conversion of Gentiles en masse? It is because Israel, en masse, has rejected the gospel. Now the gospel will go to the Gentiles. Thus, the actions of Herod and of the Jewish people become the basis for God’s turning His back upon this people and this place for many years to come, even to the present day. There will be a remnant saved, but only a small segment of the Jews, during this time of the Gentiles. This is the rejection foreseen by our Lord at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with its subsequent judgment. No wonder our Lord wept over this city and its fate. The day of salvation for Israel as a nation has passed.”]

http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=2141

John

====== John:

1Kings21

Vineyard into a vegetable garden.

Interesting thought from a footnote in Bob’s commentary:

Iain Provan makes a very interesting observation at this point. He points out that the expression “vegetable garden” occurs only one other time in the Bible, in Deuteronomy 11:10. Here, God contrasts the land of Israel with Egypt, which was like a “vegetable garden.” There, you merely had to dig a little trench with your foot to water your “vegetable garden” by means of irrigation. But the land of Israel was dependent upon God to send the rains which were required to grow any crops. Naboth’s property was a vineyard. Israel was likened to God’s vineyard (cf. Isaiah 5:1-7). One does get the impression that Ahab, once again, was out of step with God. God wanted to take Israel from dwelling in a “vegetable garden” and to “plant” them where they would be His “vineyard.” Ahab wanted to acquire a “vineyard,” and turn it into a “vegetable garden.” I think Provan has something here. Iain W. Provan, 1 and 2 Kings (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1995), pp. 157-158.

When Ahab could not get it he sulked. He is always sullen, sulking, or pouting when he does not get his way – just like a child. No wonder Jezebel had him wrapped around her finger.

This seemed entirely characteristic of Ahab. He seemed to be a spineless, pouting man who reacted this way when he met any kind of adversity…. “So the scene is a vivid picture of peevish Ahab turning his face to the wall and refusing to eat. He was like a sulking child who could not get his own way.” (Dilday)

Scapegoat and perhaps whole family killed.

Proclaim a fast: The idea was that some evil or calamity came upon Israel, and a scapegoat had to be found for the evil. Jezebel intended that Naboth be revealed as the scapegoat.

2 Kings 9:26 indicates that the crime was even worse than this, connecting the murder of Naboth with the blood of his sons. It is likely that the entire family of Naboth was murdered, so no heirs were left to claim his property. – David guzik

Elijah shows up

“To the widow of Zarephath Elijah was an angel of light; whilst to Ahab he was an enemy . . . What you are, determines whether Elijah will be your friend or your enemy.” (Meyer)

Instead of sulking at the prophecy Ahab repents, or does he?

“But this humiliation or repentance of Ahab’s was only external and superficial, arising from the terror of God’s judgments; and not sincere and serious, proceeding from the love of God, or a true sense of his sin, or a solemn purpose of amendment of his life, as appears, because all the particulars of his repentance here, are external and ritual only; nor is there the least intimation of any one sign or fruit of his true repentance, as that he restored Naboth’s land, or reproved his infamous wife; but in the very next chapter you find him returning to his former vomit.” (Poole)

John

====== John:

Acts 13

Ministry in Paphos

So often Paul ministers in strongholds of other gods..

Paphos: This city was known for its immorality: “Paphos was infamous for its worship of Venus, the goddess of [sexual] love” (Barclay). We will see in Paphos a familiar combination: Immorality connected with spiritual darkness.

venus was said to have originated here – coming ashore on her seashell onto the beaches of the island.

Seems they had their own da Vinci code going on back then:
Bar-Jesus translated “son of Jesus.”

Elymas’ sin is compounded by deceiving the pro-consul regarding Christ.

If you want to commit spiritual suicide, that’s one thing. But how dare you bring others down with you? If you want to give up on the things of God and grow bitter in your heart against Him, that’s your choice. But it is a heavy sin to draw anyone else away with you, either with your words or your example. – David Guzik

The interesting thing to me, is the pro-consul was amazed at the teaching (Greek also translated “doctrine”) about the Lord. Kind of reinforces that idea of signs and wonders being secondary. The blindness of Elymas may have got his attention, but it was Jesus’ message that amazed the pro-consul and he had “faith”.

Going to keep track here, but it does seem that Paul often stops first in the synagogues before going “out in town”. I wonder if this is to reach people like Cornelius – “God-fearing” – visitors to synagogue. Paul going to the most fertile gorund first – to establish a beachhead????

John

======== Vance:

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

June 18, 2026

1 Kings 19:1-21 + Acts 12:1-23 + Psalm 136:1-26 + Proverbs 17:14-15
~ 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 – Great chapter today! We are introduced to Elisha, who will be mentored by Elijah to succeed him as a prophet at the end of First Kings 19 today. However, before we get to Elisha, we read about Elijah being very “dejected” in the desert to say the least. Some commentaries on this early portion of chapter 19 are not super-kind to Elijah for heading to the desert. Commentaries I think wisely suggest that verses 9 & 13 demonstrate God trying to gently let Elijah know he’s off course and feeling too sorry for himself, when asked twice in these verses: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” This kind of reminded me of Jonah fleeing from God’s will on the boat. (which we’ll read about later this year). And this kind of reminded me of me – and maybe you too. 🙂 Have you ever had that nagging question enter your heart or mind when you suddenly realize that you are off course from God’s will in your life? That question of: “What are you doing here??” I know I have… Praise God when we are actually able to hear and understand that question and get out of the desert and back to life and back to loving this hurting world! Below is a wonderful painting from the year 1464 by the Flemish artist Dirk Bouts for verses 5 & 6, early on in the chapter when Elijah was fleeing to Mount Sinai – “Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and saw some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.”

Today in 1 Kings 19 verses 11 through 14 we read about how God appears to Elijah in a way that he was not expecting – “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” The interesting thing to note about these verses is that Elijah was expecting or hoping God would appear in judgment to the Israelites in a windstorm, earthquake or fire. But God did not appear in any of these forms. Instead, God comes to Elijah in a simple gentle whisper. A gentle whisper. And I wonder about us in our lives today as well – do we often expect God to move mountains or to really show himself to us in big bold ways? When, perhaps, God may be speaking to you or me right now, but we’re missing it? Why? Well, is it possible that God is speaking to you right now with a simple gentle whisper? Is it possible that you have built up so many distractions or duties or activities or worries in your life that you cannot hear God’s gentle whisper? I know that I have been in this place too many times – I’ve gotten myself so busy looking for God in all the wrong places. And then finally I will slow myself down for just long enough to hear God speaking to my heart in a gentle whisper! A gentle whisper that I am sure was there all along. . . but I was looking for God in the windstorm and earthquake and fires of life. When instead I should have simply slowed down and listened for God’s gentle whisper. Will you slow down long enough to listen for God’s gentle whisper for you? Do you believe that God can speak to you in a simple gentle whisper this very moment?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s 1 Kings readings titled “The Vulnerability of Victory” is at this link. “The Crisis of Elijah” is at this link. “The Restoration of Elijah” is at this link. And “Taking Up Your Mantle” is at this link. Below is a painting in a Carmelite cloister in Frankfurt, Germany from the year 1517 by an unknown artist showing the life of the prophet Elijah, including what I think is the anointing/calling of Elisha in the middle portion – and you’ll see the angel tending to Elijah in the desert on the left and the burnt offering from yesterday’s readings on the right:

New Testament – There is a lot going on in today’s Acts readings as Peter is freed from jail by an angel!

I love verse 5 in this chapter as Peter was put in jail – “But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.” Who are you praying for very earnestly these days? Do you think that prayer changes things? How is your prayer life this very day?

Verses 21 through 23 are a great great reminder to not ever accept anyone calling you a god – nor for you to every think of yourself as a god – “When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It is the voice of a god, not of a man!” Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.” We should never accept worship from others. The glory should always go to God. As the Psalmist so wisely and worshipfully says in Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, not to us, O LORD, but to your name be the glory.”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “The Death of James and the Deliverance of Peter” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 136 is a liturgy of Praise to God as Creator and Redeemer. A Levitical priest singer likely led the recital, while either worshippers or a Levitical choir responded with the refrain. Fun Bible factoid here – the response “His love endures forever” is repeated 26 times in this Psalm, which is the numerical value of God’s name “Yahweh” – back when Hebrew letters were also used as numbers. A lot of intricacies went into the Psalms… some of which do get lost in translation from Hebrew to English. Below is an image of the Hebrew letters yud, hey, vav, hey — often depicted in English as YHWH or Yahweh — spelling the name of God.

Psalm 136 is also a Michael W. Smith song! 🙂 C’mon, you know the one – verse 1 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (and Smitty carries on – “for he is good, he is above all things, his love endures forever. Sing praise. Sing Praise! Forever God is faithful, forever God is strong…”)

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 17 verse 14 today is a great reminder that the best way to end a quarrel is to stop it before it starts! “Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” Once the quarrel starts, the waters can quickly flow out of control like a flood. Is there a simmering matter in your life that you need to address quickly and head-on before it breaks out into a quarrel? Before the floodgate opens?

Worship Video: In Psalms above, I mention Michael W. Smith’s version of Forever, which then somehow reminds me of Chris Tomlin’s song “Praise Him Forever:” 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrDzdew4AOk

Do you believe God’s love endures forever? Click here for Forever!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving to the Lord for His Goodness today! Pray in thanksgiving that his love endures forever!

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

======= Ramona:

I Kings 19:1-21

I”ve always found this passage both humorous and enlightening, humorous because the great prophet of God allowed a woman to frighten him and enlightening because even after great spiritual victories, we are prone to intimidation. Which gives us a “heads-up” to how the devil operates and lets us know that no matter how spiritually strong we become we must watch out for depression and sadness. The Apostle Paul put it nicely and called it a law:

21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. (Romans 7)

I know that fear is not of God because Paul told his spiritual son, Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7)” So we need to be like Nehemiah as he supervised the rebuilding of the wall, we need to have a trowel in one hand and a weapon (spiritual) in the other so we protect that which we have been ordained to build.

Several years ago I once heard a wonderful message about Elijah’s time in the cave. The message was taught to be used as a pattern when we become depressed and suicidal, like this great prophet of God.

First God will always allow you to get much deserved sleep and rest and which will sustain you for your journey to your cave. Once at the cave he will send hurricane force winds into our lives to blow away those things and people in our lives that can be and need to be blown awayt. After the hurricane, He will send an earthquake to shake loose the things and people left over from the hurricane. Then and only then will he send the fire of purification to refine and burn off the dross of that which remains. When the hurricane is gone, when the earthquake has passed and when we our purified the still small voice of God will have unrestricted access to our hearing.

So get ready to Rock and Roll and feel the heat!

Acts 12:1-23

This passage always reminds me that we can spend all night pouring our hearts out to God yet when God answers are prayers we do not recognize the answer. This has happened to me several times and I wind up asking for forgiveness because I’ve used what I’ve prayed for without thanking God because I didn’t recognize my answer when it showed up.

Psalm 136:1-26
Speaking about depression and suicidal tendencies this Psalm seems to be a good one to speak to yourself aloud when pain and despair come lurking ‘round your door. In the Forty-second and Forty-third Psalm (NIV), David speaks to himself four times saying,
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (42:5, 6, 11; 43:5.)

Proverbs 17:14-15

15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both an abomination [exceedingly disgusting and hateful] to the Lord. (Amp.)

Do we do this, yes you, we, us Christian, do we do this when one of our own does something atrocious and we justify their behavior at the expense of the ones they have killed, harmed or maimed? What I’m talking about is not offering forgiveness and mercy, but totally ignoring the victim. The Hebrew word Shalom, peace, is not just a nice a word that means we make nice and forget that we may have caused someone grievous pain it means to restore to reconcile to make whole. [Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology] Without that reconciliation there is no peace, no Shalom.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Luch:

It might not be obvious but I find it very interesting the way ‘the church met’ in Acts 12. Apart from the wonderful story of Peter’s deliverance I love that the church was meeting in Mary’s house, ‘where many gathered for prayer’. Acts 12:12-14. In the early days of the church it was just normal to meet as a church in people’s homes. Today it amazes me that people who are institutionally driven are suspect of these expressions of ‘simple, organic church’, but here it is right in our faces. The church met in homes. But this isn’t the only example. Early in Acts 8:3-4 it says that ‘Saul was going everywhere to devastate the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into jail.” I am highlighting this to affirm those of us who are doing ‘home church’ but sometimes feel we are not fully legitimate. Don’t let the monolithic, CEO driven churches intimidate you. There is a place for those churches too, but the fact is, it was very normal, just like breathing in the early days of the church and up until Constantine, to meet in homes.
For those in the home church movement you are very much in the flow of biblical history. Keep growing and keep going…

Luch

====== Andrew:

Luch,

Thanks for the encouragement of churches meeting in houses. We were blessed to be able to meet with ours today. Last weekend my wife fell and broke her hip. It has been repaired by a complete hip joint prosthesis. Ain’t medical technology great? Yesterday she came home from hospital. She has limited mobility. She will be starting a
heavy programme of physiotherapy. And she is looking forward to getting back on her bike in about two months time.

This morning we spent about three hours over breakfast and then gently learning how to shower and dress her. Then we went to our Sunday morning gathering. A dozen people in a home. Just to be able to worship, hear the Word and enjoy coffee among friends was a great blessing.

But the big picture is that we are all part of the Body. There is an interesting speculation about God’s view of this by Ron Wood at http://christianstogether.blogspot.com/2006/05/church-in-city-and-response.html at the end of the article:

“When the Lord looks down from heaven into a major metropolitan area, does he see only Baptist churches? Does he see only Spirit-filled churches? Does he see only churches inside buildings? What does he see? The answer is—he sees the whole church at once, all of it, every flavor and variety and style you can imagine. They are all his people, everyone who names the name of the Lord and has been redeemed by the blood of his Son.

“If you’re saved, you’d better learn to love your brothers and sisters, even those of different races or liturgies, since we’ll all going to spend eternity together! And if you’re following the pattern of the apostles and prophets settled in the Bible and affirmed in church history, you’d better start believing in the legitimate church as it really is: congregations plus a myriad of small house groups and the whole network of all the saints in your city.”

Blessings,
Andrew

====== Ramona:

I Kings 19:1-21

Elijah had called down a drought, stood as God’s representative as he played the “dozens game” (yo momma is …) with false prophets and asked the folks to choose the God/gods who won out, he had “seen” a small tiny cloud the size of a man’s hand, break a three year drought, and then out ran a kings chariot. Yet at the threat of a woman, he ran or was it the threat? Was it the fact that in spite of everything that God had done and proved to the people that He was the only true God, there were no changed lives? In order for change to happen people must decide to change and I truly believe that, only those looking for truth will redirect their lives to following Truth. The search for Truth comes by way of the condition of the heart.

Many people desire to do great things for God, yet when something spectacular happens, we become depressed because we thought wrongly that people would surly change, but they do not. We become so focused on the spectacular that we may miss the voice of God as He whispers to us in a still small tone. Like Elijah, God has to wait until we become do low that we cry out for death. We desire death because we fail to see that our value is not in being an avenue for the spectacular but it is in our obedience to the Word of God. Even when we see not discernable fruit in the midst of the spectacular, that doesn’t mean we are not fruitful.

As Elijah stands on the mountain, after being called out by God, and as we stand on our mountain we need to understand that God may use the spectacular, the earthquake, the great wind, the fire to take us to the place where we no longer have distractions to hearing His voice.

The windstorm comes to blow the things in our lives that are not anchored down by God’s Word out. Then after the great wind, the earthquake comes to shake off everything that remained after the wind. And after the earthquake is over when we think that nothing is left in us that is not of Him, He sends fire to purify everything that remains. When everything in our lives has been tossed to and fro, when everything has been rocked and boulders of hindrances falls away and when the tremendous heat of the fires of purification burns off the dross, then that still small voice of our great King can be heard.

Adversity does not come to destroy us; it comes to reveal the cracks.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== John:

1Kings19

Much has been made of whether Elijah was fleeing Jezebel and her threat of his physical life, or if Elijah was searching for God and a healing of his “soul”.

I am in the latter camp for two reasons:

1) If Elijah simply wanted physical safety – Beersheba is in Judah. Why not go to Jerusalem and seek the protection of the King of Judah (Jehosophat???)

2) There are 23 words in Old Testament Hebrew that indicate “life”. “Nephesh” used in vs. 3 seems to indicate “soul, self, life” in other words – ‘the inner man’. So it seems Elijah might have been running for his very “soul” perhaps after having a crisis in faith when the spectacular works failed to have an effect on the King, Jezebel, and/or the people of Israel (in a lasting way).

Reminds me of Peter walking on water in Matt 14. As soon as he got distracted by the events around him, Peter began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me”. Perhaps this running into the desert is Elijah’s silent cry as he was emotionally sinking – ‘Lord, save me’.

It is not said that Elijah consulted God when he set out, and in his first prayer recorded in the trip – Elijah prayed that he might die.

Not without precedent. When Moses was physically and emotionally spent – he made the same request of God. (Num 11:10-15). God responded by ignoring the request and telling Moses what He would do: provide additional “judges and meat for the people”. God was going to provide some relief for Moses’ physical and emotional burdens.

God did the same for Elijah. God ignored the request and provided what Elijah needed for his physical and emotional burdens – restful sleep and food.

When Elijah got to Mt. Sinai – the NIV translates “he went into “a cave”. However,

Literally, the Hebrew is definite describing the cave. “The cave may well have been the specific ‘clift of the rock’ where God appeared to Moses (av, Exodus 33:22) rather than the ‘cave-region’ generally.” (Wiseman)

Kind of neat, if this was the case.

The first time the Word of the Lord came to Elijah – it seems it was in normal tones. Asking ‘WHAT are you doing here’? A question much like Adam’s in the garden (Where are you?). It gave Elijah a chance to unload.

Then the elements arrived (I like Ramona’s symbolic interpretation), and then the question was repeated in a gentle whisper – perhaps with a different emphasis – ‘What are you DOING HERE?’ (You need to be out and about doing my work????)

Maybe there is a little something like the stubborness of Peter here – but I wish we knew the tone of voice of Elijah – because I sense his response the second time may have been a bit more “subdued and plaintive”.

So God gave Elijah something to do:

“God gave Elijah something to do. He needed a task to focus on so he could avoid excessive introspection. He needed to stop looking at himself and his own (admittedly difficult) circumstances. He needed to get on with what God wanted him to do.” – David Guzik

God also encouraged Elijah with a word about “the remnant”. When times are dark, God is remarkably consistent. There is always a remnant of believers. It was true then, we will see it to be true later, and it will be true in the End Times.

So Elijah obeyed and set out. He finds Elisha – probably from a family with some money, and not afraid of work. Elisha was not just mportant for the things God said – but Elisha will be a comfort and an aide to Elijah (provide him with the support of a “believer” and man of God???)

Elisha becoming an “attendant (servant)” of Elijah is the same Hebrew word used for Joshua’s relationship with Moses.

John

====== Jenny:

So many great stories in today’s readings! We have Elijah feeling depressed, fearful, defeated. I always loved Elijah because I know what its like to just pray for death. My dad did a study on depression using Elijah as an example and noted the first thing God had him do was get rest and eat, taking care of the physical side. After that Elijah was strengthened.
Another lesson is when Elijah panicked and said, they killed all the prophets, and I’m the only one left! Sometimes I think we can exaggerate things feeling like we are alone in this. Like, ‘its just me God, everyone else has abandoned You’. God corrected him…no, there are seven thousand others who have no bowed to Baal.
Elijah is one person I can sure relate to!! So I don’t care if commentators criticize him, he was human and not perfect.

I love how the people where in prayer for Peter and even when he was rescued and showed up at the door they themselves didn’t believe! I think we have all gone through this perhaps…God answers a prayer and we think, no, there’s no way. We doubt! We lack faith!

Yes, I think the psalmist is trying to say His love endures forever 😉 (or His mercy as NKJV says). I’m singing Michael W Smith too!

Today’s proverbs readings kinda goes with the other day’s prov 17:9 and the question posted:
When do we close our mouth to preserve love and when do we not close it? Well for me, unfortunately I’ve come across an example. Today person A told me that person B feels like i’m not supporting them on something, i dont know why, something person B thought I said or something i failed to say or do. So I told person A this wasnt so. So person A asked me not to tell person B that i they told me. ugh! Now I feel burdoned because person B is maybe hurt so i want to correct the matter. But person A didnt want me to tell person B that they mentioned it to me. So what do I do? now i’m kinda mad A & B were talking about me and maybe B will hold resentment toward me. however if I confront B, then B will be hurt that A betrayed a confidentiality. This was something they were discussing amongst themselves and I didnt need to know it. Person A should have kept his mouth shut! now there is potential for a fight…hopefully not. If I dont say anything to B I will be burdoned. If I do say something, no matter what B will be mad that A said something.
They are my family members and there is always this chance they have ulterior motives, to make themselves look better and make me look bad….cause i’m sure we all know thats how many families are, unfortunately. Somehow, seems person A tries to start quarrels among B and myself. B is my sister and A doesnt get along with his sister, they cant hardly be in the same room. so maybe A is trying to rile things up so he doesnt feel as bad about his own relationship troubles. I dont know. i just know ppl should not gossip!!! Myself included!
I decided I will confront B. I’m not carrying around a burden bcos someone cant refrain from gossip. this will be a lesson to A, if you dont want people to know you told them something, don’t tell them!!

Jenny

======= Teriann:

Have you ever been reading the psalms and wished you could write one too? I am so grateful to David and the psalm writers for expressing in writing what is in my heart but what I could not find the words for myself. But here in Psalm 136 is an outline for all the would be psalm writers. It is like a paint-by-numbers psalm. Just start with verse 1, “Give thanks to the LORD for He is good. His love endures forever.” And then like David recount all the wonderful things God has done in your life; one line at a time, followed by His love endures forever. Few paint-by-numbers paintings are really worth framing but the exercise is is great!

Teriann

====== Frederick:

In today’s reading, the angel of the LORD appeared in three scenarios. In 1 Kings 19, 5-7, the angel provided food and water to Elijah twice. In Acts 12:7, an angel appeared to Peter and brought him out of the prison. But in Acts 12:23, an angel struck Herod down. Angels are the servants of the LORD. The LORD might send angels to serve His servants. But angels could execute God’s judgment on the wicked.

Frederick

====== Imja:

Reflecting on Ps 136, several times in scripture someone reflects on God’s providence with Israel. I was thinking, I should write my own reflection on my life… and as a N. American citizen, I could write one for our country too. This would be especially good to pass down to our children and their children. It would be a reminder to our children and our nation that God’s love endures forever! Have you written your family Psalm 136 or does someone know of one written for the USA?

Imja

====== Lizzy:

I just did it this morning!
I wrote in a journal: “Psalm 136, continued,” and then I wrote out a long list of things God has done in my own life, followed by the line, “His faithful love continues forever.”. Now I have a record of His acts in my own life.

Lizzy

====== Dee:

Good commentary Ramona!

1 Kings 19:1-21
The Elijah complex can rob u from joy so beware-walk by faith not sight.
God does not always work in big dramatic voice- but still small voice.

I never saw this side of Elijah- so distressed not seeing that God can rise up prophets and Kings- that he can save him and not to fear only believe.

Acts 12:1-23
Will of the Lord – Wise and Good- not always predictable
Killing of James-brother of John today
By Herod- killed James with a sword
Some like Jobs -want to help but wrong
Pray even when u feel weak

I have felt like Elijah before put on pity party and feel so defeated- andbI have had prayer in my weakness

I think we all do! It’s natural–
King Herod was an evil man! Wanted others to glory him not God- God struck him down with a sickness /worms and he died!

Peter was rescued by an angel from prison- Praise the Lord.

Psalm 136:1-26
2 choirs sang this
One group started /other finished. His love endures forever.
Never take for granted
Wonderful world in which we live

Proverbs 17:14-15
Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgates
So stop a dispute before it breaks out.

Dee
June 17th Bible in a Year Readings

June 17, 2026

1 Kings 18:1-46 + Acts 11:1-30 + Psalm 135:1-21 + Proverbs 17:12-13
~ 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 – Wow! Great readings today in 1 Kings 18. This is an amazing chapter of the Bible, and one that I heard a wonderful sermon on a couple of years ago. This is strong stuff. One thing that kind of got me chuckling was the subtitle the New Living Translation puts at the top of this chapter – “The Contest on Mount Carmel!” For some reason this got my mind thinking of WWF Championship Wrestling… yes… strange place for my mind to wander I realize. 🙂 But then, this imagery kind of stuck with me throughout the readings and I definitely think Elijah threw down a WWF level taunt in verse 27 when the prophets of Baal were not having any luck getting their fire started: “About noontime Elijah began mocking them. “You’ll have to shout louder,” he scoffed, “for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or he is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or he is asleep and needs to be wakened!”” Perhaps he is relieving himself?? The prophet Elijah puts even Hulk Hogan’s WWF taunt’s to shame! 🙂

Okay… in all seriousness… 1 Kings 18 is an amazing chapter. There were several verses that stood out to me. First was verses 17 and 18 when Ahab meets Elijah – “”So it’s you, is it–Israel’s troublemaker?” Ahab asked when he saw him. “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the LORD and have worshiped the images of Baal instead.” I love Elijah’s directness and boldness to Ahab. Ahab tries to go after Elijah and maybe intimidate him, since Ahab is King. And Elijah does not back down one iota – he tells Ahab exactly why Ahab is the troublemaker. I love that. I wonder about our lives today. If someone comes after us and maybe attacks our faith or integrity falsely in some way, will we immediately stand up for our faith like Elijah did to King Ahab?

Verses 20 & 21 are powerful – “So Ahab summoned all the people and the prophets to Mount Carmel. Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How long are you going to waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.” What a great question – and one that we may need to ask ourselves – “How long are you going to waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him!” Are we wavering at all in our commitment to God? Are we being silent like the people were when Elijah asked this question? Let us not waver between two opinions… If the Lord is God, are you following him? Wholeheartedly?

Below is an image of Elijah’s “Sermon on the Mount Carmel”… 🙂 bad pun… sorry. (I really should know better than to start off a blog post with the Hulkster… it sets me off on the wrong foot… 🙂

I love the little story at the end of today’s chapter where Elijah falls to his knees in prayer on Mt. Carmel and tells his servant to go look toward the sea – 7 times! And then soon comes the little cloud….

Last but not least, verse 46 is a great closing to this eventful chapter! “Now the LORD gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.” Think about this day’s events – Elijah meets with Obadiah. Summons Ahab. Meets with Ahab. Summons the people of Israel and the prophets of Baal and Asherah. Conducts a WWF Smackdown tourney 🙂 – and God wins big time! Prays for rain. And then what better way to finish out this type of day but to “tuck his cloak into his belt” and run faster than Ahab’s chariot back to Jezreel! Great stuff! What a chapter! Elijah rocks!

Bible.org has tons of great commentary on today’s readings in 1 Kings 18, which is not surprising considering how much happens in this chapter today. Commentary titled “The Word of the Lord Comes to Elijah” is at this link. “Elijah ministers to Obadiah” is at this link. “Elijah Meets and Rebukes Ahab” is at this link. “When One Becomes a Majority” is at this link. “The Ineffectual Prayers of the Baal Priests” is at this link. And finally, “The Prayers of Elijah” is at this link.

New Testament – I love how Peter answers his “critics” in Acts chapter 11 today. He simply tells them the story of what happened. And through this plain and simple act of telling his story truthfully we get to verse 18 – “When the others heard this, all their objections were answered and they began praising God. They said, “God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of turning from sin and receiving eternal life.”” And this makes me wonder about our lives today. How do we answer our “critics” when it comes to our faith? Is it possible that we can answer our critics simply by telling our story? Just like Peter simply answered his critics with his story? Is it possible that our story of how God reached out and changed our lives could be very effective in winning hearts and minds for Jesus? I think sometimes we underestimate the power of simply telling our story. It is our story – and after we tell it, how can anyone really criticize it? Or argue with it? It is our story. Let us tell it. And let us tell our story often and with great love. I believe God can work wonders when we simply tell our stories…

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “Peter is Called on the Carpet” is at this link and “One Step Backward and Two Steps Forward” is at this link.

Psalms – Today in Psalm 135 verse 3 we will read this very simple, yet profound verse – “Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.” The words I want to focus in on here are “the Lord is good.” Do you believe this to be true? Do you really – in your heart – believe that God is good? I think this is important for us to really meditate upon. I’m afraid sometimes we get into our minds that maybe God is not always good. Maybe we start to think that God is out to get us. Or out to trick us. Really isn’t looking out for us. Doesn’t really like us. Doesn’t really love us. These are all of course lies that come into our mind from the Enemy, the Destroyer. God is obviously good. So good. All of the time. And maybe sometimes we really need to remind ourselves of this. Even in the midst of challenges and struggles and addictions and hardships – God is good. God is there with us. God is leading us – and maybe even taking us through a hardship to bring us to the Promised Land on the other side. Our human minds will often not understand God’s ways. But, I think for us to always remember that God is good is so important for our continuing growth in our relationship with God. So, again, do you believe the words of this Psalmist? Do you believe that God is good?

Proverbs – Yikes… Proverbs 17 verse 13 is no joke – “If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.” Let us be diligent and prayerful to make sure we never repay evil for good…

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Acts reminded me of Rhett Walker’s song “When Mercy Found Me:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50hYXJzNMM0

Has mercy found you? Click here for mercy!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.” Proverbs 17:12 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you do not associate with fools. Pray that you avoid folly. Pray you are a disciplined and loving follower of 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.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

I Kings 18:1-46
Very interesting that this Challenge, what Mike calls the WWF Championship, to the prophets of Baal, and Baal’s cohort, Asherah, was the challenge of who had control of the water. Baal means “master” or “owner” {“Baal.” Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.[Accessed June 17, 2005].} and is associated with rain. Elijah had told Ahab in chapter seventeen there would be no rain for several years as per the Word of the Lord, so God was declaring that He was in charge not Baal. The whole alter, challenge thing takes on a completely new light for me with that little bit of information I found out about Baal. As the prophets danced, cajoled, begged Baal to set their offering on fire, they were asking Baal to do what they claimed he controlled. “Baal put your money where your mouth is!” Oops Baal had no mouth he is a rock or piece of wood.

Now when Elijah got ready to do his thing by preparing the alter he was going to use, that pouring of water over the offering until it pulled up in the trenches was a slap in the face to Baal. But when the fire came down and burnt up the offering, rocks, and lapped up the water, God was saying, “I’m more than enough to defeat Baal,” He humiliated the puny god they served.

Of the things I see in this is that we don’t have to jump up and down, cry, beg, scream and holler for God to do what He says He will do. If we speak the Word of the Lord, which is settled in heaven, God keeps His Word. In fact I believe if we find ourselves shouting, begging, stomping and cutting to try to get God’s attention maybe we better check the god we are calling on and/or the Word we are claiming that God spoke.

Acts 11:1-30
The proof of the Gospel’s effect is changed lives despite what we want to believe. It’s amazing how we stand in judgement of others and their relationship to the Gospel. I don’t’ think we have a hard time believing that God changes lives; we accept that. What we have a hard time believing is that God will change the lives of people we don’t like for whatever reasons we may harbor. Funny but God never comes and asks our opinion on who he should grant salvation too. I know He hasn’t asked me yet. I guess we have to learn to “just get over” it.

It’s funny but every time I think about the Apostle Paul I’m reminded of a reformed cigarette smoker especially one who had a three-four pack a day habit. They become like ravenous wolves when chastising people who smoke in their face, or around babies, or around anything. In New York City smoking in banned all over the place so folks have to hang out in the streets and hang off the balcony to pick up some nicotine.
Psalm 135:1-21
Talk about idols and false gods, this Psalm hits the idols and their worshipers’ right between the eyes with their uselessness.

15 Their idols are merely things of silver and gold,
shaped by human hands.

16 They cannot talk, though they have mouths,
or see, though they have eyes!

17 They cannot hear with their ears
or smell with their noses.

18 And those who make them are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.

That eighteenth verse says to me in Ramona’s translation or paraphrase, “You are what you worship.” Sooooo, if what ever we have, I have, in front of me that I put my trust in other than God, I become. Yikes!!

Proverbs 17:12-13

I’m feeling Mike’s comments on verse thirteen about evil not leaving one’s house when good is repaid by evil, but I think that verse thirteen sits under verse twelve, meeting a bear with her cubs is safer than confronting a fool caught in his folly. I think that they are connected because one would have to be a fool to pay good with evil. Choices and decisions affect not only the person who is in control of the choice, but there is also a ripple effect upon everyone around them even strangers: the “fool” who drives under the influence and kills not only himself/herself but also innocent bystanders who happen to be on the road with him/her.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Michelle

Love the little sign graphic,
“God is good all the time.”

But it’s missing the call and response so often said in churches:

Leader: God is good
Congregation: All the time
Leader: All the time
Congregation: God is good

Don’t know why but that put such a smile on my face this morning. Also, I agree with Mike, Elijah rocks!

Michelle

====== Ramona:

1 Kings 18:1-46

In both the Old Testament and the New we see God defending Himself, declaring that it is He and He alone that is being challenged: Not Elijah nor Peter, but God. Many times we think we have to ague others into believing or obeying God because that is the only way they will come into the Kingdom. Yes Mike, the only thing we need to put forth is what Paul stated after he experienced getting beat up time and time again trying to argue people into the Kingdom,” For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2 AMP)”

Elijah had hints of frustration in doing what God called him to do when he states in the showdown that He is the only one left of God’s prophet (22) after Obadiah told him that he had hid 100 prophets in two caves. This is a lesson for us when we feel that we are the only one on our job, block, school that is calling on Jesus Christ. We are not. Obadiah also feared God while serving a wicked king. Too often we become frustrated and whine and moan about our supervisors, teachers and family members who are unbelievers while we are standing and toiling in the midst of them. We blame them for our inability to not truly serve God, but here we see a man who did. Let us not skip over Obadiah’s testimony.

Several years ago I became sad when I took notice of how many believers call on God like these prophets of false gods. Eigh-hundred and fifty prophets, 450 belonging to Baal and 400 belonging to Asherah called out all morning and past the afternoon trying to get their gods attention. Many Believers have taken this model and call out to the God, the Most High as if He is one of the Baals. Elijah didn’t do any incantations, he didn’t rebuke and bind. He didn’t pick up His bible in one-hand and raise it over his head shaking it at God. In fact Elijah in all appearances made God’s job harder, he drenched the burn offering with a scarce commodity, water. Without lighting a match or drying out the wood and offering, God came down and did his thing and Elijah didn’t have to beg Him.

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him! (Matthew 7:7-11 AMP)
We are to ask, not yell-jump up and down, shout at God, etc, etc, etc.

Elijah praying and the small cloud showing up after seven times seeking, which to him meant rain storm, is also a lesson for us, with God nothing is ever what it seems to be. What would the U.S. weather service have forecasted if there was only one small cloud in the sky?

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Carmen:

I loved todays devotional. The story of Elijah is powerful and mighty. The part that surprises me the most is after doing God’s work and God showing himself to all, Elijah fears Jezebel and hides in a cave. How such a powerful man can fear this terrible woman(Jezebel). After all he was a man of God.
“I think sometimes we underestimate the power of simply telling our story. It is our story – and after we tell it, how can anyone really criticize it? Or argue with it? It is our story. Let us tell it. And let us tell our story often and with great love. I believe God can work wonders when we simply tell our stories…”
Because of this I feel compelled to share me testimony….Here it is:

Before I gave my life to the Lord
I lived for myself. Raised and educated in a very religious family.
I felt empty, without a purpose in life. At the age of 19 when studying abroad in Dominican Republic, I became very sick and was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.
I had to leave the University and my studies to come back to Miami for treatment. I was mad at God and believed it was His fault.
It seemed now; all there was in my life was pain and anguish.
I had been a very athletic person and now was feeling so sick and incapable of doing anything.
All my dreams were shattered. I felt hopeless.
In the following 9 years I became a wife, had a total hip replacement and then I became a mom.
During all this time I still battled with pain and emptiness.
When I was 28 I realized I needed a savior and I relinquished myself, my pain and sorrows to Him. I developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ my Savior.
What I received was much more than what I could ever give to Him.
Some of these things that I received were peace, joy and contentment no matter what my circumstances. No matter how bad the pain was, now I had a purpose beyond myself! To please and serve a mighty God!
I did not understand why this had happened to me- so I asked God to cure me. Many times I asked Him and He would not.
Some time after that I read a passage in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Paul says:
7”And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong”.

Now, I understood He would be glorified in my weaknesses. He could use me in my condition. I felt a calling to His service. Now I knew this could be a blessing in my life!

The following years God gave me a strength and faith that many have wondered about. I say this for His glory and not mine. Many people would tell me how they were blessed by my strength and joy in difficult times.
The fingers of my hands became deformed and they became a witnessing tool. For many people would ask me what happened to them, and all I could do is thank the Lord and tell them about the strength He had given me through all the pain. How He was with me all the time.
As the years went by, my health grew worst and I became plagued with many complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis. But His joy was always with me. His faith would grow in me and make me stronger.
Whenever I felt weak, I would ask Him for strength and faith. These are gifts from Him. Just ask Him and you will receive it. I have friends that tell me, when they are down –they think of me and my situation. Then they feel blessed and realize if Carmen feels joy in her problems then I too can feel joy. This is for His glory, for it is not I, but Him in me!
In 1999 I was diagnosed with Kidney failure and for the following 9 months had to receive Dialysis 3 times a week to survive.
The night my Doctors told me I had kidney failure I struggled with God all night long. Asking Him why? I had faith that He would heal my kidneys. I believed it so. Why did He permit this? I did not understand. All night I struggled and fought with Him. When the dawn came I was exhausted and in the silence of the morning He gave me a verse.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 “Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—

18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills”.
This verse gave me peace. That day I told God I would try to live that verse. No matter what happened I would rejoice in HIM, the God of my salvation!
He would be my strength and He would lift my spirits.

This was to be my mission statement in life. This was my goal. Now more than ever I had a purpose! I would glorify Him no matter how dark things would get.

Nine months latter, on mother’s day I received a kidney. The transplant was a success. I had a new lease on life. Even though I had to take 98 pills a week I felt great! I felt healthy and relatively pain free. Even the medications would make my arthritis less painful. I had energy again.

Three years later I had to have a hysterectomy. I had complications from the surgery, became very sick and almost died. While recuperating from my condition I was told I had liver disease and will need a liver transplant in the following years. As you can imagine I felt terrible. I got so sick my appetite was gone and I became very fragile and weak.

These were very hard times in my life. I wondered what else could go wrong. But still, my faith was strong. My eyes were on HIM!
In those days someone told me –due to all my scars from the 6 operations I had in the past (to long to mention-don’t want to bore you) I must look like a Frankenstein. I thought about this and then I received a thought in my mind, which I knew came from God: “I am not a Frankenstein – I am God’s canvas and He is painting His masterpiece in me”.
This verse is a promise from God.
Isaiah 26:3
“Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee”
Another one of His promises which gives me peace is
Psalm23:4 and 6
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

I would continue to have ups and downs, but was never alone. God was with me. A couple months later I was informed I was diabetic. This was caused by the anti rejection medications I take. This was a disease I did not want to get. It is very serious and I knew dangerous. Many people I knew suffered from it and it is a relentless disease. I had always said it was the worst disease a person could get because of the complications it can bring. And now it was happening to me! Here I really lost it!
Upon hearing the news I locked myself in the bathroom and cried as I never had cried before. I was so mad and I became bitter. Two times I cursed my body. The body God had given me. I didn’t want to live. I hated my body and asked God to strike me dead. Here again I was struggling with Him. I forgot my promise to Him. I did not want to do it anymore.
What followed was repentance. I felt terrible, for what I had said. How could I do this? I remembered His verse in
Psalm 139:13, 14
“For you created my innermost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well”.
Of course He forgave me. He is a merciful God. His mercies are new every morning. Even though I knew I was forgiven I fell into a severe depression and in the following 5 months I lost 50 lbs. I could hardly eat or drink. My family thought I was going to die because I looked so sick. Some of my friends even thought I was anorexic. I seemed to fall deeper and deeper into depression.
Depression is a totally diabolical state. It’s like your enemy is in control of you thoughts. Telling you- you have no value. You are nothing. Slowly you feel you are disappearing.
I believed I was going to die. I was going to leave my loved ones. I wanted to die. I would tell God every morning –“why don’t you take me today”? I was weak and pitiful. Filled with anger and despair. I felt alone in this world.
During all this time I knew God was near. I just did not know how to reach Him. But He was carrying me the whole time. He was my only hope. I was drowning in a dark whole and He was the only rope I had to hold on to. He kept me from letting go. I would read His psalms. Only they would comfort me.
I would cry in my bible and beg the Lord to take this sorrow away and help me. I knew I would not survive much longer.
Everyone looked at me as if I was a ghost or at least I felt that way. My family was in anguish to see me in that condition.
Then one day, my sisters prayed over me and asked God to take that sorrow away. To heal me and give me back the joy of my salvation.
That night God also used a friend who reminded me of a passage in the bible I had read hundreds of times.
Mathew 14:29-31
“… Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “
She proceeded to tell me that Peter walked on water while his eyes were on Christ. When he started to put his eyes on the wind and water which (in this case) were his circumstances, he started to sink.
She said: “Carmen-put your eyes on Jesus. LOOK UP! Don’t look down. If you do this you will be cured”. All of a sudden it dawned on me. All I did was think about my circumstances and problems. So now I knew I must think only about Him and His word.
The next day, it was gone. I woke up and knew I was cured. The despair and sorrow had left me. I was free! God had done a miracle. He had cured me.
Since then I have tried my best to follow that advice, even though, I continue to have more and more health problems. Since then I have been diagnosed with hypertension and some liver complications. But, my eyes are set on HIM and His promises. He is in control of my life and I know He loves me. He is a mighty Lord and a strong foe against darkness. He is victorious in battle. I serve Him with a grateful heart for all he has done for me.
I thank Him for every tear and anguish I have suffered. For this has made me strong. It has made my hope lie in Him and not in men.
Many times Doctors have told my husband I would not make it. And for His glory He has made them liars. There are two verses that never leave me. They are as present in my life as the Lord is.
Philippians 4:8, 9
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things…And the God of peace will be with you”
And whenever I get bad news I always remember this verse:
Jeremiah29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
God has been kind to me. He has been a true gentleman. When I was in dark places He protected me from the enemy of my soul. He is my all in all, my knight in shining amour. Without Him I would have never made it. Today I continue my life with the promise I made to God.
Like the book of Habakkuk says:
“No matter what happened I would rejoice in HIM, the God of my salvation!
He will be my strength and He will lift my spirits”

Today I would like to leave you with a love sonnet from God from

Romans 8:37-39
37… in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Never Forget- God loves you. He will never leave you. He is always by your side, even when you can’t feel Him.

God bless you. IN HIM carmen<

====== Jennifer:

Elijah’s story is amazing. Each time I read it I think that God has a plan just as amazing for me if I am ready to respond. I pray that I listen for God’s direction and be brave in following his urgings.

Jennifer

====== Michael:

The picture of Elijah looking bqck toward king Ahab really just excites me. Ahab is the king of Israel and is dressed and looks the part. However, Elijah the Tishbite the prophet of God, is dressed in reg clothes that we are accustomed to seeing individuals wearing, in painting of this day and age. The striking thing to me is there is a sense of humility when you look at Elijah. Here is the king who is supposed to be submitted to God in humble obedience, and especially submitted to the prophet of God. This to me is a mark of the early five fold ministry. Even king David was submitted to the prophet and daughter the prophet, and he himself even held a distinct role as a prophesying king.

With all this being said, it makes me think of the humble submission we must have to God concerning his ministry, and what he is wishing to do through the gifts of he has given, and ordained to the church. Ahab refused these gifts, and the spirit if rebellion stopped him from experiencing the peace, and prosperity that God would have given, and wanted to give to his holy people. In conclusion, and to me, it seems that we must stay and be in humble submission to God in whatever dynamic calling he has placed, and that especially means in the calling to listen to the voice of Lord when he speaks in the prophetic, or throught an anointed moment when we feel the Holy Spirit speak to us through people, situations, and in some cases a rebuke that may come from an unbeliever.

Michael

====== Minerva:

I have been feel depressed, down and hurt and sad.. But in my bible reading today I was reminded in Psalm 135:3 “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good…” my bible reading this morning told me I am not alone, I have strayed but God has brought me back. He loves me and no one can ever take that away no matter how hard Satan tries. The Lord is good. Do I hear an AMEN!!!

Minerva

====== Jocye:

Mike and everyone,
i read this from Bible.org, Bob Deffinbaugh’s commentary 10. The Life and Times of Elijah the Prophet— Showdown at the Mount Carmel Corral (1 Kings 18:1-46).
Toward the very end of the article –
“Just add water…
the 450 prophets of Baal could not accomplish lighting the fire with dry wood; how could Elijah’s offering be consumed when it was soaking wet?
How many times in the Bible does God create impossible situations, so that His power will be evident?
God told Abraham Sarai that they were going to have a son, and this was when they were already old. But God waited another 25 years;
When God led Israel out of Egypt, He did not take them the easy way, but led them to the edge of the Red Sea;
Our Lord told his disciples to feed the five-thousand;
When our Lord learned that Lazarus was ill, he waited until He knew Lazarus was dead.
Sometimes when God does intend to do something, He first pours water on it, He brings unexpected difficulties and obstacles, so that it will be more than evident that it was His doing, and not ours.”
What Bob wrote in the above encourages me tremendously,
hope it does the same to you as well!

Sincerely,
Joyce

====== Fred:

Today’s reading about Elijah brought back a memory of a children’s book that my mother got me with this very story about the contest on Mt Carmel. I was six years old. I am 50 now and had forgotten about that book until today! It must have etched itself into my memory and shaped my destiny though. My mother had a hard life and passed away a couple of years ago from Alzheimer’s. The memories brought tears to my eyes, so I had a good cry this morning after my DAB session with Brian. I couldn’t believe the taunts either. They were pretty awesome and though I’m not into wrestling, I can totally see why it made you think of Hulk Hogan.

Fred

====== Dee:

Amen Ramona!
June 17 22 9:48 EST
1 Kings 18:1-46 like Ramona said, it was a war about water and who or what God was the true living God. So King Ahab was searching for water & Elijah

We commend Obadiah for protecting prophets
This was the 3rd year of a drought in land of Samaria. It was severe.
Elijah was the man of the hour.
Tom(narrator or story reader on the read aloud asked: where are the Elijah’s? Would we handle a hostile situation as Elijah did? Accused of being a troublemaker and he gave it right back..hmm

Acts 11:1-30
N.T. Peter was available to the Lord. How do we respond? Hold fast to what is good. Barnabas enlists Saul -gave message to Gentiles

There @ Antioch -we were first called Christians
Psalm 135:1-21 psalmist praising the Lord 4 times and ends with blessing the Lord 4 times parallel with ps 115

God is good all the time!!

Proverbs 17:13
If u repay evil for good, evil will never leave you house. Be diligent and prayerful. Make sure you never repay evil for good.
Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly. Wow!

Dee

======= John:

1Kings18
“So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” NIV
Ahab is a blamer. No thought in his mind that he could be to blame.
“At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” NIV
Psa 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
“Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” NIV
The altar was not built for North or South, but all Israel.
“At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” NIV
A humble prayer unlike the Baal prayers. YOU are God…YOUR servant…YOUR command…YOU, O Lord, are God….YOU are turning….
“When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!” NIV
Literally:
“Jehova is Elohim” The personal God of Israel is the Powerful Creator God. The personal God of Israel is the one True God.
Remmeber back in Genesis that up until creation was finished – Hebrew word for God in text is always Elohim. After Creation is completed it is Jehova.
JEHOVA (or YAHWEH):is the covenant name of God, the personal God of Israel.
ELOHIM: God as Creator, Preserver, Transcendent, Mighty and Strong.
Amen and Amen.
[NOTE: By personal God of Israel – it is meant in a “relationship” sense, not an “ownership” sense.]
Jonh

======= Arielle:

Hey all
It was puzzling to read the scripture where it says Elijah had to pray 7 times for the rains to come. I am not sure what its significance is. But I am sure GOD is trying to show us something in this reading.
Any comments/suggestions?
Arielle

======= Amy:

I wondered about that too, Arielle. God had already said He was going to send rain. Why did Elijah need to pray so fervently for it? I like his tenacity though, and his sense of humor while mocking the baal priests,and I love how God gave him the strength to run long distance. I was listening to todays verses while I ran this morning and that verse jumped out at me.
Amy

======= Tammy:

I’ve wondered if the fact that he prayed and then checked for clouds 7 times showed a small amount of doubt. Perhaps so. If true, it would actually be encouraging to me – that even this great prophet of God had moments of doubt.
Our community choir just sang a song titled “Elijah Rocks” LOL
Tammy

======= Amy:

Sounds like a fun song. He does seem doubtful or worried. He sure jumped all over that one small cloud though. That took some believin’!
Amy
June 16th Bible in a Year Readings

June 16, 2026

1 Kings 15:25-17:24 + Acts 10:24-48 + Psalm 134:1-3 + Proverbs 17:9-11
~ 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 – 1 Kings 15 verse 26 stood out to me right away today: “But he did what was evil in the LORD’s sight and followed the example of his father, continuing the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.” The key word that stood out to me in this verse is “example.” I think sometimes we can forget that every action we take is an example to others. We are either exampling godly behavior or ungodly behavior. Obviously Jeroboam exampled ungodly behavior – and unfortunately, since he was king of Israel, his bad example had far reaching effects. Even though you or me aren’t king of any land, I do believe that the examples we set have bigger impacts than we realize. Our kids, our parents, our siblings, our neighbors, our co-workers, the stranger on the street, the person at the coffee shop, are all watching what we do. How we behave. Who we are. Our very lives are examples to so many people each and every day. What type of example are you setting with your life? Do you realize that people are literally following your example each and every day?

1 Kings 16 is quite the chapter full of drama! It’s like a soap-opera. As I was reading this chapter, and in particular when Zimri was plotting to kill Elah, I was reminded of Macbeth’s old quote – “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” Indeed very true in this chapter!

Great readings in 1 Kings 17 today! We are introduced to the prophet Elijah! And what an introduction. I love the visual of Elijah being fed by ravens. Elijah was completely dependent on God for his food delivery via birds. This image reminds me of how dependent you and I are today on God… (even if we do not realize how dependent we really are….)

Elijah was the first prophet in a long line of prophets to come over the next 300 years in Israel. As the kings of Israel were now all sinning and there were few Levitical priests left in Israel (most were in Judah), God brought forth the prophets to bring God’s word to his people in Israel. More on who Elijah was is at Bible.org at this link. More on the message of Elijah is at this link.

Great readings today about Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath! Verses 21 through 23 are awesome – “And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” The LORD heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he came back to life! Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look, your son is alive!””

Bible.org’s commentary on our 1 Kings 17 readings on Elijah today titled “Testings By the Brook” is at this link and commentary titled “Testings and Ministry at Zaraphath” is at this link and commentary titled “The Death and Resurrection of the Widow’s Son” is at this link. There is a lot of great in-depth commentary on 1 Kings 17 at Bible.org!

New Testament – Acts 10 verses 25 & 26 stood out to me today – “As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell to the floor before him in worship. But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being like you!” This reminds me that this type of stuff can still happen today. I am afraid that sometimes we can end up worshiping people today, instead of worshiping God. And I’m afraid that this can oftentimes happen in the context of our churches. I have to say that I have seen what almost looks like worship of Pastors at churches. And that ain’t a good thing… Pastors are human beings just like us! Yes, they are called to a very high standard in Paul’s letter to Timothy, which we’ll read later this year. But Pastors are not God. They are not divine. They should not be worshiped. Yes, they can help lead us in worship of God in great ways and with great messages. But let us make sure we are directing our worship at the true Rock and Light and Author of All who will never fail us and never let us down – God. So, stand up before your pastor. Pastors are humans just like us…

Peter’s words in verses 34 – 36 are so powerful and are a huge turning point in the Gospel beginning to be preached to the Gentiles (non-Jews) – “I see very clearly that God doesn’t show partiality. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. I’m sure you have heard about the Good News for the people of Israel–that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” Do you believe that God does not show partiality? Do you believe that in every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right? Do you believe there is peace with God through Jesus? Do you know this peace?

Psalms – Psalm 134 is a great little Psalm! This Psalm is basically taking place as worshippers are leaving the Temple in Jerusalem for the night – and in the first two verses the Worshippers are speaking to the Levites (priests) in the temple – giving blessings to the Levites and asking them to bless God overnight. Then, in the third verse the Levites give a departing blessing to the worshippers as they leave the temple: “May the LORD, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem.” And that is certainly my prayer for each of you reading this – May God bless you!

Proverbs – Wow. Proverbs 17 verse 9 is a challenging one for me today – “Disregarding another person’s faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends.” I get the wisdom of it initially. Makes sense. Makes me think about a marriage relationship really… 🙂 But, what about speaking the truth in love? Isn’t there is a time and place to let folks know about something that is maybe a major issue that needs some attention? If someone is doing something wrong that is harming them or others around them, shouldn’t we speak up? I know there is a fine line here… I need to meditate on this Proverb a bit more… (This is the beauty of the Bible! We will not understand every single verse every single time. Could take years! The Bible’s got depth, that is for sure. I am glad you are on this journey into the depths of the Bible with me this year.) Let me know your thoughts on this Proverb in the Comments section below? When do we close our mouth to preserve love and when do we not close it?

Worship Video: Today’s 1 Kings readings today about Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath reminded me of the Natalie Grant song “Held:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UTiei4ftMc

Do you know what it is like to be Held? Click here to be Held!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you do not repeat your neighbors offenses to others. Pray that you foster love by covering over an offense. Pray that you do not separate close friends through gossiping or busy-bodying.

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

======= Ramona:

Proverbs 17:9 can be seen as either as a positive or negative. I did some looking up because I wanted to see the Hebrew word supporting the English word “fault.” At first I was thinking, before I did any looking up, that there is a difference between a fault and a sin. I was moving toward the things people comment on or criticize when someone does not do an activity or ritual the same way we do something, then we criticize them. However, that word translated “fault” in the NLT is not the word denoting sin, but transgression and it still is a “wrong.”

“Disregarding another person’s faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends.”

If the “fault” you are disregarding is a criminal act so that “love” can be preserved, than what has happened is an accessory after the fact to a crime (according to the judicial/criminal codes in most jurisdictions in the United States.) If the person loves to pick their teeth in public and it drives you crazy but the person is righteous, than disregarding, their fault is needful to keep the relationship.

Many of us enter relationships/marriages out of a touchy/feely kind of emotional distrubance love (I think the loved used here is the love with feelings and not the love as a verb type love) that covers “faults” which need to be exposed before we say, “I do.” Once this kind of love ceases, then all the faults that have been there all the time, will pop up like goose bumps on a skinny dipper diving into 30° water (2 below Celsius)

Just my thoughts,
Ramona

===== Nathan:

I have that tendency to get upset with my wife and son when they continue to procrastinate on things or take shortcuts on areas that…require their attention. they build up into huge projects. They both have ADHD, so I know it’s hard for them to focus at times. I remind them at times hoping it will change, but doesn’t. The problem is…..me. Instead of nicely reminding or trying to help, I criticize & tear down. I get so frustrated. I can relate to the proverbs passage for today. Who am I is the question that needs to be asked?
A mirror would be a good place to look. I have so many areas that I need to work on. I am reminded today that real love overlooks the faults of others. I will try to be more understanding and constructive in how I approach situations & when I feel like people need some changing to do, I better consider what needs changing in my life. I can only change myself with God’s help & pray that God will help them to overcome the areas they struggle in. God bless & thank you for the words of wisdom & encouragement each day. My wife & I look forward to it. We have used the one year Bible for the last couple of years, but it wasn’t till recently that God lead us to this site. We were looking for more…..deeper study…..we found it. In the truth,
Nathan

====== Rob:

mike,

today’s commentary and verses really struck me for some reason. nothing new or profound, but just a great DAY. thanks for your ministry – but don’t think i’m starting to worship you ar anything 😉

Rob

====== Anka

Today’s reading is filled with kings who did evil before the Lord,I noted that even then,God still spoke to them through prophets.I guess then being a prophet wasn’t too popular a job…if the king had no regard for God then a prophet bringing him words of rebuke from God couldn’t have fared too well.Today’s reading on Elijah and the widow has been used alot to promote the prosperity gospel.Give to a prophet and you’ll get a prophet’s reward..etc.Sometimes we forget or choose to forget that even the blessing that comes from tithing is also connected to work….crops don’t just spring up…it takes work.There’s another verse that says God blesses the work of our hands…The jewish people I’ve met don’t have the idea of God just promoting them overnight,money growing by itself because they “sowed”….God wants our soul to prosper too and if we keep our minds on financial blessings all the time,we may loose sight of what God’s truly interested in.I know this may sound harsh but for some people,God prospers their soul by making them depend on God daily…truly living by faith…and learning to bless God even if all’s taken from them.
Yep I missed the part yesterday that Cornelius had not been saved…was God fearing,religious…but not saved.He was so excited that Peter was coming to his place that he gathered a crowd!Even some of his soldiers were devout…Having a godly leader sure is a blessing.
Speaking or not speaking…hmmm I think the way we speak the truth in “love”shows.Recently I wrote an email to my dad about some of his actions….Later he thanked me for the email and said I spoke in love….when we judge or critise…it shows.When we want to show just how spiritual we are and the other person isn’t…it shows.I pray that we learn to speak to others in love and with a pure heart…not just because we are hurt/angry…to speak words that encourage and build up.I need that in my life big time…May God help us all learn to leave judgement to him.
God bless you all
Anka

====== Laura:

Fantastic blog!

The thing that struck me reading 1 Kings for today was the long succession of kings who got it wrong – some of them were even sent to bring justice but they still got it wrong. But God never forgot about the people.

Laura

====== Michelle:

The interesting thing to me about the succession of kings was how many there were in Israel while Asa was serving faithfully in Judah. God preserved Asa’s reign because he did right. The others just reaped and sowed violence after violence.

Michelle

====== Paul:

wow!
Tremendous observation from Proverbs…
My wife and I like to say sometimes we are practicing our procedure known secretly to us as “Sit and Smile” ….but being a guitar player I loved the guitar pick stating, ZIP MOUTH… And what a tremendous truth that is from GODs’ Word…
Mike… I wholeheartedly agree… GODS’ Word is truly a lifetime full of Blessing… Sometimes the wise and prudent practice being quiet and sometimes they must speak the truth in love… Thats the beauty of the Word… And the beauty of us as GODs’ crowning creation, he gave us a mind and HIS SPIRIT to think and discern and pray about the best alternative in any situation

Paul

====== John:

Proverbs 17:9

9a “He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, 9b but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.” AMP

I may be off base on this proverb, but here is what I think.

Looking at the way this proverb is paired up 9a and 9b, I think this has to do with an offense, transgression, or sin against the “reader” – not on a grand scale against society.

This is before the church, and I don’t think it necessarily has to do with two “believers”.

If someone sins/transgresses against you, certainly you go and discuss it with them. They can be repentant, and in that case you forgive them and not bring it up again. If they are not repentant, you can still express that it is wrong and forgive them anyway, and not “run it into the ground” when you see the offender.

I think the key is verse 9b. It is when the “offended” person brings up the matter every time he sees the other person that causes relationships – even close relationships to “separate”.

The other person may stay away because he/she feels guilty, they don’t want it thrown in their face all the time, they feel like you are exaggerating the offense, you really are being a jerk about the whole issue, etc. – especially if you have expressed forgiveness to the “offender”.

I don’t think these verses are talking about something as egregious as “murder” (although I guess it can apply), but rather common everyday offenses that occur between people/friends.

Ex. Someone spreads lies and gossip about you.

You go to them and talk to them about “transgression”. They repent; you forgive, the story is over. They do not repent, you tell them it is not true, you forgive them, and never bring it up again.

If you bring up the lies/gossip over an over every time you see the person – it will cause them to avoid you (separate from you).

In the first verse you are seeking the “brotherly love” between two people by being discreet versus “going ape”.

In the second verse, your actions cannot possibly lead to that “brotherly love”.

[NOTE: If the offender keeps repeating the transgression, then it is on him, and the dissolution of relationship (or potential for relationship) will happen because of his actions. I guess if it is serious enough – at that time – you can take it to higher authorities???? – otherwise you “shake the dust from your feet” and depart from their life????]

John

====== Mae:

Proverbs readings today … very intersting … I’ve come across this verse a couple of times. Read it here and there a couple of times and it REALLY got my attention! The Dutch translation is: “Wie onrechtvaardig is behandeld, maar daar geen ophef over maakt, bevordert de liefde. Maar wie oude koeien uit de sloot haalt, raakt zelfs zijn beste vriend kwijt”.
Wie onrechtvaardig is behandeld : Who was treated unjust / wrong
maar daar geen ophef over maakt : and doesn’t make a big deal out of it
bevordert de liefde : stimulates love
Maar wie oude koeien uit de sloot haalt : But whom talks about things from the past
raakt zelfs zijn beste vriend kwijt : will even lose his best friend
So, reading the Dutch translation makes me think about the bygones, don’t make a big fuss over what happened a year, 6 months, 3 months or a month ago. Which means that if someone comes up to me today and tells me “Mae, you’re a loser and I don’t like who you are and what you do!”. Then I will tell that person “Okay, that’s what you think. I can’t help what you think and how you feel. I’m sorry you feel this way. God loves you and so do I”. Period. The biggest mistake, which I think is the Proverb warning for (the Dutch translation), is to tell this person “Well, take a good look in the mirror, because a month ago you were being a loser yourself, because you did this and that”. I think there’s a big difference between the 2 translation. The King James translation sais: “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends”. So somehow, when I read these translations, I think I can tell people whenever I feel I’ve been not treated well or I didn’t like something they did. I guess I should be careful how I put it, so tell them carefully that I have experienced something with them that didn’t feel right to me. Not point at them and say “You treat me wrong!”. So just tell them I experienced something that didn’t feel good to me and then let it go. Don’t repeat it every month. Talk about it and let it go. Which I think is a good thing, why constantly bring something up what you can change in the first place?

Mae

====== Stephen:

This is a very well-written, uplifting and inspiring blog for both Christians like myself and others. Thanks for sharing.

Stephen

====== Pat:

Regarding Prov 17:9, first I’ll just quote the KJV translation which uses the term “covereth” as opposed to “disregarding”.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Proverbs 17:9 KJV

To me that says if we don’t broadcast someone else’s transgression, we are showing/seeking love, as opposed to repeating a matter and becoming separated from friends or separating other people who are friends. I’m not sure that is the same as disregarding or not confronting someone (in love) about their sin. But I do agree that there is a fine line there. Especially when the someone has a speck in his eye and we have a mote in our own. I had a “friend” once who did indeed discuss with me something that was possibly going on in my family that needed to be dealt with by the parents, and she also told me she would not discuss this with anyone else. I really appreciated that she approached me about this, even after I learned that she then went around telling everyone we knew about the situation. She told them all that she was doing it “in Christian love and concern”. It separated not only she and me, but also myself and others who listened to her and continued to spread the gossip (which turned out not even to be true). I agree with your point that the Bible is so wonderful because we don’t know it all right away and we can spend a whole lifetime getting to know what God has to say!

Pat

====== Stuart:

Wow! Why did so many Isreali Kings continue to do such evil when the consequences were so clear?
As for criticising, I’m with Anka on that one; if only my children would communicate critique to me rather than sending me to Coventry.

Stuart

====== Al:

Right on with Acts 10 34:36

As far as the mouth goes I’m afraid I’m not that good at that but I am reading and ask for my ears to be open and for eyes to see.

I’m 49 and so far I’ve used the WWPD approach you know, “what would Popeye do”, but I’m working on it.

Mathew 7:7

Al

====== Beth:

My husband and I have been following your blog for two years. The OT readings have really been opening our eyes to Faith Lessons of the Bible in preparation for our trip to Israel this September with Ray Vanderlaan. We love the links through Bible.org. Great commentary as well. Thanks for your ministry!

Beth

====== Debbie:

One of things I have found as I grow older and longer in my faith is that most of time it is best to keep the mouth closed and PRAY!!! I do not need to be right all the time as I once did when I was younger! I know what is “right” in my heart and having a secure walk in the Lord is more important now, than having to argue, and be right!I have come to that place that I daily hope my walk and my talk are in sync!!

Debby

====== Frederick:

1 King 17:13b

But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.

Elijah told the widow to prepare a cake for him first. This makes me think of a spiritual rule: give your first and best to God. When we tithe, do we donate what is left at he end of a month or the first and best of us in the beginning of a month? Of course, Elijah is not God but he was a prophet from God to help the widow. So, he had the right to ask for the first cake.

Acts 10:34-35

34Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

God is fair. He shows no favourism. Favourism exists in family, society and nations. Do you favour your son over your daughter? Does the society favour the professionals over a layperson? Do you consider a privilege to be the citizen of nation A over the others? But here in Acts, Peter told us, God shows no favourism.

Frederick

====== David:

hmm…that’s the second time this week I got a “take the bad with the good” from the Lord. That’s what Proverbs 17:9 is about, isn’t it? Accepting the bad along with the good in someone, and honoring them by not spreading the bad about them. Exactly how Jesus loves us.

@Ramona, the translation doesn’t always capture the original essence, but if you look at the verse, it compares “disregarding” to “telling about” or “repeating the matter”. It’s not about tolerating faults or wrong, it’s about not spreading it around or not gossiping about it. In Matthew 18, Jesus tells us the correct way to deal with a fault: confront the person. Don’t talk about them to someone who has nothing to do with the situation, which will definitely “separate close friends.

David

====== Nancy:

I think the verse in Proverbs has a lot to do with gossip. If we look at other Scriptures we know it is not wrong to confront somebody who has done wrong. Also, if there has been a misunderstanding between you and somebody, you need to deal with it. But that is strictly between you and them. If you repeat their offense to everyone then you will separate close friends. But if you know that somebody has done wrong, it is dealt with, then that’s the end of it. You cover it up with forgiveness and promote love. When others asked what happened, you just tell them it has been taken care of. I think even if one of the people involved is still living in sin or still refusing to forgive, people not involved in the problem don’t need to know what is going on.

Nancy

====== Dianne:

One think that I liked about the talk of prophets is that God sends prophets whenever the Kings or priests sinned, God would send faithful prophets to bring the people back to God.

In our lives, God sends a lot of people who unconsciously (or consciously) sends his message to us and acts us prophets to bring us back to God.

It made me think of how I can act as a prophet to others and to bring them the good news of the Lord.

Regarding proverbs, I agree with Raeann. It talks about “Disregarding another’s faults” in the sense that you do not bring it up or correct that person in a public scene or that you do not mention it to other people – because this would lead to gossip and it won’t really help that person.

I believe that if we love a person we need to correct them and to disregard that person’s faults is, yes, like conspiring to the crime – as Ramona had said. Plus it does not show real love, because if we love a person we would seek to see him/her improve or change for the better and what better way of doing that than to point out what he/she had done wrong and help him/her correct that mistake.

It really is like being in a marriage. I have been guilty of telling other people about my problems with my husband and it really doesn’t promote love, because my husband – who is part of the problem – does not know the things that I am angry about, so instead of solving the problem, I am just making it worst by telling other people about his flaws.

Dianne

====== Frederick:

1 Kings 16:16

16 When the Israelites in the camp heard that Zimri had plotted against the king and murdered him, they proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that very day there in the camp.

Saul, David and Solomon were anointed by the Priests. But the Israelites had proclaimed their king. You can see the Israelites were on a downward slope.

1 Kings 17:13-14

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’”

Elijah demanded the widow to provide for him first, then the jar and jug would never been used up. God did not provide abundant of flour and oil first. Instead, God asked (via Elijah) from the widow first. God provided a promise to the widow. Would it be similar to the LORD’s Prayer? God grants us our daily bread instead of abundant of food for a ‘month’.

Frederick

====== Heather

I have been working on disregarding fault with others. The old log in my eye is worse than the speck in another ones eye. I think this has really helped me be married for 30 years, and still have a good relationship with my grown kids. I am still struggling with not telling my kids how to bring up their kids! Only when they ask for advice 🙂

Now to pass this onto every day life in work and church is challenging.

I feel the proverb takes into account that the “preceived fault” does not hurt anyone.

Heather

====== Pat:

1 Kings 17 struck a deep chord today. I was moved by your picture above, where Elijah was being fed by the ravens. Interesting that God required to Elijah to depend on ‘looking upward’ for his physical sustenance (where all of our physical, emotional, and spiritual sustenance comes from, in actuality).

Pat

====== Joyce:

Mike and everyone,
Proverbs 17:9 NIV
“He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
I learned the following from Mike Hayes’ sermon “Uncommon Forgiveness”, February 2005, sermoncentral.com:
The Hebrew word for “cover” is “hs’K’” (kaw-saw’) and it means to “cover, conceal, or hide.”
The Hebrew word for “repeats” is “hn”v’” (shaw-naw’) and it means, “to repeat, do again, change, or alter.”
God’s promise is when we confess our sins to Him, He in turn covers our sin and never brings them up again.
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. (Psalm 32:1 NIV)
You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah (Psalm 85:2 NIV)
Perhaps one way to understand Proverbs 17:9 is, we can choose not to broadcast other people’s wrongs. As we forgive, we can promote love.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13 NIV)
May God give us the wisdom, the grace, the love to cover wrongs and promote love.

Sincerely,
Joyce

====== Judie:

Today’s proverbs is one of those verses that I have read, but the meaning didn’t really sink in, but today it did! This is why I like this blog so much and especially the audio where a preview of the scripture is given before the reading.
Disregarding another person’s fault preserves a marriage! My husband’s faults used to bother me more than my faults bothered him. I got to thinking about this one day, and was ashamed of myself for the times I criticized him, and realized what a wonderful man he is to accept me as I am. But I worked on changing how I saw my husband, and thanked God for all the good things about him.
Judie

====== Fred:

Proverbs 17:9 is a great verse to contemplate. I know I can be needlessly critical, and also needlessly self-critical (NOT my own best friend). But the verse that really stuck in my mind visually is the one about Elijah being fed about the ravens. I had planned on doing an art journaling entry on that verse while listening to the DAB podcast before heading over here, so thanks for posting that picture. It will be helpful!

Fred

====== Sam:

The proverb for today seems to be saying that, when it’s possible, disregarding a fault (letting it go) can be the most loving action. (I think of this as forbearance.) Telling about another’s fault (to others) will definitely break up friendships. Gossip is divisive.

Sam

====== Dee:

True Ramona, I have heard of several friends who have married for the goosebumps and leave with faults that really were there the entire time.. hmm

Ok 1 kings 15:25-17:24

A long section and really the same thing went round and round..Israel couldn’t keep a king for many years before it was off with his head! King Asa of Judah still kicking though..he’s probably got some stories of the eye witness report of the crazies going in and out of Jerusalem (or Tirzah, or samaria) wow

Got to end with the worst King Ahab and wife Jezebel..
And also see Elijah..and the widow with the son who died and was raised. Hallelujah

Then we get to Acts 10:24-48
Peter and Cornelius..again preaching to the gentiles..God opened that one up

Also lesson u can’t pour new wine into old wineskins..

Psalm 134:1-3 do we ever give thanks to those who work at night? While we sleep that keep us safe? Wow.. Maybe we should

Proverbs 17:9-11
Disregarding another person’s faults preserves love, telling about them, separates friends. Yes!! Love your peeps and love warts and all! Amen

Dee

======= John:

Readings
In 1Kings, I feel like I am reading (seeing) a WWF wrestling tag-team promotion where the bad guys one after the other tag each other and go in the ring. I surf past it on TV, but here I wade my way through it in our readings : (
======================================================
Nestled in the end of 1Kings16 is the comment on the rebuilding of Jericho by Hiel of Bethel. His oldest and youngest son died as God’s Word said would happen to anyone who rebuilt Jericho.
Over and over, God’s word is affirmed, but the “king(s)” never seem to heed. When your heart is not right (or turned) to the Lord, you can rationalize away anything. I can just see “Ahab” saying about Hiel – “Bad Luck” and going right along his merry way.
======================================================
I am struck how sometimes the Old Testament readings seem to “nestle” in with our New Testament readings.
Elijah and Peter
Elijah at the Cherith (“cutting”) brook seems to be stripped down to essentials by God. Peter is growing and maturing in Christianity. In both cases they are having the “legalism” purged from them, and doing the unthinkable in ministering to Gentile(s). Depending only on God for their direction, needs, and marching orders.
Elijah is supplied food by ravens (unclean birds). The fact that the birds touched the food would make it “unclean” to a Jew. Elijah obeyed and ate, putting the “legalism” behind him.
Peter’s vision revolved around clean/unclean animals, and how it related to Gentile/Jew.
Elijah was to go and live with the Gentile widow. Elijah obeyed. Certinly in the time there he had a chance to talk (testify) about the Lord. Possibly to others in the town. It is encouraging that at the end the woman said:
“Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.” NIV
Peter was ordered to go with the Gentiles. Peter obeyed. Peter had the amazing statement exemplifying his growth:
“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” NIV
Peter had an “evangelist’s dream gathering” – a group of people who were ripe to be harvested.
In Old Testament is the foreshadowing of what Peter experianced – when Israel rejects God’s Word from a prophet, the prophet would go out to the Gentiles with God’s Word. When God’s Word (Jesus) was rejected by Israel – the Gospel would go out to the Gentiles.
Ultimately to fulfill God’s plan that the Church would be one Body – Gentile and Jew – united in Christ.
John

======= Janice:

This verse comes to mind when I reflect on Proverbs 17:9.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV I believe in context of Prov 17:9
– it is more of a forbearance. And and others pointed out, that we should not be “repeating” someone else’s offense over and over again, especially to others.
The word “transgression” is “pasha” in Hebrew.
It is not the same word in Hebrew as “sin” which is “chattah” IE: “‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass (pasha) of your brothers and their sin (chattah) for they did evil to you.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭17‬A ‭NKJV‬‬
Janice
June 15th Bible in a Year Readings

June 15, 2026

1 Kings 14:1-15:24 + Acts 10:1-23 + Psalm 133:1-3 + Proverbs 17:7-8
~ 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 – Allright, now we are getting into the story of the Kings! I really like this portion of the Bible. I am fascinated by the back-and-forth stories and timelines of the Kings of Israel and the Kings of Judah. The one very unfortunate thing you will notice over and over are verses like 1 Kings 14 verse 22: “During Rehoboam’s reign, the people of Judah did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, arousing his anger with their sin, for it was even worse than that of their ancestors.” Or verses like 1 Kings 15 verse 3: “Abijam committed the same sins as his father before him, and his heart was not right with the LORD his God, as the heart of his ancestor David had been.” And we will read far too few verses like verse 11 as we read about the Kings of Judah and Israel: “Asa did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight, as his ancestor David had done.” I think what is interesting to note in all of these verses – and in the verses to come about future Kings we will read about – is that it really didn’t much matter what the Kings “did” in their reigns. Their wars or their building of cities or whatever really didn’t matter compared to did they sin against God or not? Did they lead Israel or Judah into sin or not? Did they love God or not? And I think this is the same for our lives today. God does not so much care what our careers are or what our social status is or how many friends or how much money we have. God cares whether we love Him with all of heart, mind, soul and strength. God cares whether we are sinning against Him or not. As Jesus tells us: “seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all of these things will be yours as well.” So, yes, God ultimately does care about our lives and careers and friends and such too – but he first wants us to seek a right relationship with Him – and then everything else will flow from our relationship with God. Someone should have let some of these Kings of Israel and Judah know this!

Okay, a good overview of the Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah at this point in our readings in First Kings is this image below:

Below is an image for 1 Kings 14 verses 25 & 26 – “In the fifth year of King Rehoboam’s reign, King Shishak of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem. He ransacked the Temple of the LORD and the royal palace and stole everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made.”

New Testament – I love it! Almost every time we see an angel visit someone the visited person is panic stricken by the angel! 🙂 Verse 4 today – “Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel.”” Seriously, it’s pretty consistent that people in the Bible get freaked out by angelic visitors. Probably because it’s a pretty rare thing. Don’t you think you’d get freaked out / scared if an angel visited you? I am pretty sure I would. Maybe that’s why angels only show up in our human world visuals when something big needs to happen. Something big happens in today’s (and tomorrow’s) readings with Cornelius and Peter. I’m thinking if you or I were visited by an angel today, we might end up with an expression somewhat like this… 🙂

Before we get to the big thing that happens today with Peter, check the remainder of verse 4: “And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone unnoticed by God!” Hmmm… think God pays attention when we give gifts to the poor? Have you found a consistent way to give gifts to the poor?

Okay, back to today’s readings and the big happenings. I think Tyndale’s One Year Bible Companion answers the question well of “What was the meaning of the vision Peter saw?” as follows: “According to Jewish law, certain foods were forbidden to be eaten (see Leviticus 11). The food laws made it difficult for Jews to eat with Gentiles without risking defilement. In fact, the Gentiles themselves were often seen as ‘unclean.’ Peter’s vision meant that he should not look upon the Gentiles as inferior people whom God would not redeem. Before having the vision, Peter would have thought that a Roman officer could not accept Christ. Afterward, he understood that it was his responsibility to go with the messengers into a Gentile home and tell Cornelius the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “Is Cleanliness Next to Godliness?” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 133 is a great short Davidic Psalm about harmony! Verse 1 sets the pace of this psalm nicely: “How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony!” Do you consistently seek harmony in your interactions with others? Do you pray for peace?

Proverbs – Proverbs 17 verse 7 teaches us today: “Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.” This is a great reminder, once again, to not lie. One thing I’ve noticed that people do a lot these days is exaggerate… and I gotta say it makes me uncomfortable. Exaggerating feels like a lie to me. Why exaggerate? Why not just tell it like it is. I mean, I think it’s okay to encourage or market or get excited about things truthfully. (hopefully my little World Vision goat sales pitch above doesn’t go too far? 🙂 But, why exaggerate? Particularly when it comes to factual numbers… why exaggerate those? How about you – do you exaggerate? Think this might be a very close cousin to a lie? If so, can you focus on just telling things straight, like they are?

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the song “Lord, I need you” by Matt Maher, sung here by Lauren Daigle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xambgAwkGg0

Do you need the Lord? Click here for your need to be fulfilled!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are living in unity today with God’s people! Pray that your life is good and pleasant to other Believers in your life.

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:

I Kings 14-15:24

I’m always amazed by how stubborn we humans are. How can Jeroboam experience the Word of God, see it come to pass and totally turn his back on God? In making that statement I realize there is “Nothing new under the Sun,” and we continue to repeat the pattern of Jeroboam’s rebellion. And what about Jeroboam’s wife? The word to her was, “Go on home, and when you enter the city, the child will die….” I don’t know if I would have went home. Maybe I am just grasping at straws, but given a choice between the life of my son or going back to the palace, I hope I would choose the life of my son and run away from home.. And you would think that a lot of repenting would be going on but there wasn’t. Hindsight is 20/20 and being distant from any given time, culture and place one can say, “Well I wouldn’t have done that!” But truth be known I would more than likely be repeating the sins of those who went before me.

God states in Jeremiah 17,9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?”

Even under Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, Judah becomes wild and crazy. What keeps her from becoming destroyed as another descendent takes over is God’s Word to David. How many of us are and were spared from judgment because of God’s Word to our forefathers and mothers who were faithful to Him and walked in His ways. And while we are going our merry way doing all kinds of things thinking we are, “All That and a Bag of Chips,” it is someone else’s’ relationship with God that is keeping us from being totally destroyed. For me that is a sobering thought.

Acts 10:1-29
There is a Big Lesson in this story for me that I have never seen before. When God gives you a Word that he is about to bring something or someone into my life, don’t assume that every Tom, Dick and Harry might be the person fulfilling that Word. If someone walks into my life looking for me, I need to ask, “Why have you come?” If their answer doesn’t match up with what God has revealed to me, they ain’t the one.

If I had seen that in this text before, I would have saved myself a lot of agony and angst. Both Cornelius and Peter were given Words from God one by an angel the other through a vision, and both messages complimented and supported each other.

Psalm 133:1-3
I’m glad the NLT uses the word “Harmony” to describe how we should live. Harmony, musically, doesn’t mean that everyone is on the same note and playing at the same time, There are different types of Harmonies. Yet each type brings about a different mood, a different purpose using varying cords. Each instrument or voice may play or sing at the same time or they may not. Everything depends on the score the composer has set. God is the great composer and we must keep our eyes not only on the sheet music before us but we must keep our eyes on the Great Conductor to accomplish the Harmony He has planned and set for our lives.

Proverbs 17:7-8

Mike, I wish I had thought of this but I didn’t; however, I use it a lot,

Half the truth = A whole lie.

Exaggeration is lying. There is element of truth within a lie but we add on to it calling it exaggeration to try to clean it up, but it is still is a lie. The Devil doesn’t trick us with out and out lies, he uses a lot of truth with a little bit of lie. It’s the same way poison is used. It is very difficult to kill someone (not that I’m going to do it) with straight poison. To do the deed you use a scrumptious meal sprinkled with a little bit of poison over an extended period.

We have a problem with dealing with the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth because we walk in fear of others, fear of who we think we really are as opposed to what we want to be. We lie to look good because we think we are not.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Kurt:

I love it when you’re reading through scripture and something just kind of catches you off guard. I Kings 15:23-24 did just that for me. Here we have read about various kings and their reigns. Then it talks about Asa, says that these things are recorded in another book, then just after that it says “In his old age his feet became diseased.” Then it moves on.

Kurt

====== Sandi:

The scriptures were very convicting. I am guilty of exaggerating and worse! And I wonder what my idols are? What do I put in front of my wholehearted love of God? Family? Friends? Work? Instant Gratification? Entertainment? Shopping? I wonder.

Sandi

====== Anka:

Jeroboam had a son that caught God’s attention…it is said he was the only one who God found anything good in.A thought just hit me….most of us get to become christians when we realise we can’t go on in life without God…most times it’s when we hear stories of how people got into trouble and prayed to God…not really even sure if He existed.Well if we’re not really sure God existed,then why pray to Him….point is,we all know God exists…and He is a God who has shown us the way to worship Him.Most times we try to deny his existence because we want to rule our lives and have Him answer our beck and call.
Jeroboam was given quite a number of chances to correct his path(could it be because his son was praying to the true God?)but refused…When he did call on God for help,it was more like going to a fotune teller to find out the future,he had no plans to seek God earnestly and submit to Him….but He knew God was real and sovereign!
Twice it is written that Rehoboam’s mother was an Ammonite,her name Naamah was also given..I guess there’s something about her name….or maybe God wanted us to see what the consequences of Solomon’s choices(foreign wives)were.
Asa was a man whose heart was fully after God:he got rid of ALL the idols his father made,removed his grandmother from the role of queen mother because of her gods….yet he didn’t remove ALL the high places…I can’t help wondering if his feet became diseased because he let the high places remain…
I have heard the story of Cornelius before but never thought of how God prepared Peter to meet him using Simon the tanner until John mentioned it yesterday….I have to say Cornelius is quite an encouragement.A roman who had it all…position,money…yet he chose to worship God.Not because it was popular nor convenient but because?….I have to say I’m pretty curious to know what his conversion story is….
I have to say Mike,I have a person who works for world vision in my church and it really is a good idea to be consistent in my giving.I know of an org I volunteered with in Nigeria a couple of times,its called Pro-Health international…it’a a medical team that goes into rural areas that have no health care and gives free health care for a week(including surgeries) as well as preach the gospel.It was a great experience for me and truly made me realise just how much we need to be like Cornelius.
God bless you all
Anka

====== Mei:

Hi! I’m just reading 1 Kings and it also occurred to me that it’s the heart that matters. And very often, it takes time before our hearts are right before the Lord!

Mei

====== Ramona

1 Kings 14-15:24

I have read right through I Kings 14 regarding the account of Jeroboam’s son, Abijah; however, the last time I read this, last year, I commented that the wife, who remains nameless here, could have prevented her son from dying by not stepping foot back into the city. Although a possibility and something to make you go, “Hmmm!” The Prophet also told her to return home, which she did. Yet as I type this I’m thinking, “Well they didn’t listen to the prophet’s warnings before, why is Jeroboam now seeking it now now,” and, “Why is he now willing to listen and receive info. What is so different now?”

One of the things that the text doesn’t say is how old this son was. Was it a child younger then thirteen, was he a teenager? It just doesn’t say but I was lead to find a scripture in the book of Isaiah that would explain why God would allow him to die if the child/son was beloved by God.

THE RIGHTEOUS man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; and merciful and devout men are taken away, with no one considering that the uncompromisingly upright and godly person is taken away from the calamity and evil to come [even through wickedness]. He [in death] enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks straight and in his uprightness. (Isaiah 57:1-2 AMP)

Anka, if this son was a young man, old enough to know right from wrong and seeking the Lord the above passage explains why, “The Good die young.”

In the 15th chapter we learn that Asa remained faithful to God all of his life; however, like David, did he slip up by trusting his ability to buy allegiance against Israel’s King Baasha instead of relying on God? The Proverb reading for today seems to hint at the “appearance” of help/allegiance/a-leg-up so to speak, with the emphasis on the word, “seems” when a bribe is given. I’ll pay you to be my friend, yikes.

8 A bribe seems to work like magic for those who give it; they succeed in all they do.

Regarding supporting ministries: I focus on supporting my church because we support ministries and causes worldwide. We are able to do that because of the size of the congregation and its centrality in the community, we are able to raise considerable amounts of funding in one day, over a quarter million, and that outside of the regular offering.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Luch:

In reference to Mike’s question re organizations that do good work around the world for the poor in the name of Jesus, I would highly recommend two:

One is http://www.mercyships.org. These are ocean vessels that bring hope and healing to the poor. One of our young adults has just joined mercy ships for one year working in war infested Sierre Leone. Unbelievable needs, but also outrageous grace is being poured out through the Mercy Ship ministry.

My own involvement with Compassion Canada in Honduras has also opened my eyes and heart to the plight of poor children. Compassion is committed to helping release children from poverty in the name of Jesus. They are visibly focused on meeting material needs and are also very clear about their desire to introduce the children through the churches they work with, to Jesus. http://www.compassion.org

Luch

====== Lisa:

(Harvesthome.org) is a great outreach in Kansas City,Mo. for the poor and homeless in the city. And for the poor in spirit (spiritually poor in lacking Jesus and being bound by immoral strongholds) try pureliferevolution.net to see what the youth in Nashville are doing in standing for purity by peacefully praying blindfolded in front of a Hustler porn shop. Some customers have even been saved through it.

Lisa

====== Aidan:

Other good Christian organizations that help the poor are Food for the Hungry (based in Phoenix) and also a local area rescue mission. Most, if not all, big and medium sized cities have one.

Aidan

====== Mae:

I really love Psalm 133:1 …
Do you consistently seek harmony in your interactions with others? Do you pray for peace? ~ Yes I do pray for peace. I pray for World Peace, pray for everybody to live in harmony. I really try to seek harmony in my interactions with others. Sometimes it’s a struggle for me, to do the right thing. Because I’m a Christian, I don’t want to get into fights, I want to do what’s best for the other person, I want to do the right thing, I want the harmony. But what if other people are treating you like crap? Most people think that when you constantly do good, you’ll only receive good. But too bad it’s not always like that and sometimes I wonder what to do, you know what I mean? Do I hang on, because I’m a Christian? I’ve come to learn that there’s another way to this, thanks to some wonderful friends I’ve come to learn that ‘letting go of someone’ doesn’t mean that I ‘dump’ someone. I need my own peace and harmony, that’s important to. And to pray and love someone from a distance will help them to.

Mae

====== Carmen:

“Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel.”
This verse stands out to me in todays reading. I ask myself why was every one so afraid every time an angel would appear? In the Bible in many instances they just looked like men. For example; when 3 angels went to visit Abraham. They looked like men. So what is the big deal?
Well, in many cases they looked like men BUT there are other cases when they looked real scary.
For example:

The angel that appears to Daniel…”Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.”…………Sounds scary HUH?

Also the angel that rolls the stone were Jesus was buried….. “And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.”

I believe there was a reason why the angels always said FEAR NOT every time they appeared.
Now a days people like to paint angels like little cute babies and decorate there houses with these images. But, it is all human imagination. I believe that many times they did look sacry and other times they looked like human men, but never like cute babies.

Another verse that stands out in todays reading is: “And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone unnoticed by God!”
If we are to call ourselves Christian we should give to the poor and needy. This shows the love of Christ to others. For if we give to them it is as if we gave to Christ.

Have you found a consistent way to give gifts to the poor? I help support an orphanage in India were there are 34 children who have been taken off the streets and given a good home and a Christian education. This ministry is called “Grace total life Ministries”. The founder of this organization is Pastor Sunder Lal.

Carmen

====== Mitch:

A great supporter of World Vision is AIDtoCHILDREN.com.

AIDtoCHILDREN.com is a dual-purpose site for building an English
vocabulary and raising money for under privileged children in the most
impoverished places around the world.

Mitch

====== Tammy:

We sponsor 3 children through Compassion – I love that they are so open about Jesus being the reason they are there. We also support two missionaries through Gospel for Asia.

Tammy

====== Karen:

Mike, in answer to your question. I supported a girl in Haiti for 10 years and did give her a goat. World Vision said their work there was finished which surprised me so I lost contact with this girl. I also had two boys from Nicaragua and a girl from Columbia. I had to make a choice and quit supporting World Vision and now support Convoy of Hope, Prison Fellowship Ministries, RBC, A21(which deals in sex slavery) tithe to my church and give to missions. I have been involved in many other ministries support but these are my current ones. I believe they are all worthwhile and it just breaks my heart all the disasters, families of prisoners, sex slavery, hunger, etc. We can all do our part in some way. I really appreciate all your work to give us a great blog. Sharing your true feelings on what you are reading. You make me really look at what I am reading and how it applies to my life. Love in Christ. HUGS!!

Karen

====== Lori:

One organization that I have supported is LIFE Today’s outreaches (This is the LIFE Today of the television show with James and Betty Robison). They have a mission that drills wells to give clean water and a mission feeding mission (I think both in Africa?) I think their organization is also a great way to get involved in ministering to those in need.

Lori

====== Carla:

My husband and I support children in India through “Forgotten Children Worldwide” It was started by our Assistant Pastor. Groups from our church will take trips over once or twice a year to see what is needed. They focus on orphans and child trafficking victims

Carla

====== Norm:

We have changed our support from World Vision to Gospel for Asia. We like the idea of a ministry where 100% goes to the child or the project. Another good ministry is Watoto and of course, Compassion. There are so many organizations and I ask God to direct us to the one He wants us to support.

Norm

====== Colleen:

Mike, my family has sponsored children through World Vision and we are now sponsoring a child in Haiti through Compassion International. Both are wonderful organizations and our lives have truly been enriched by the experience. We have also given Christmas gifts out of W.V.’s gift catalog (no goats yet, but a few chickens and ducks, as well as health supplies and Bibles). I highly recommend it as a wonderful opportunity for parents to teach their children the joy of giving to others in Christ’s name.

Colleen

====== Joyce:

Mike and everyone,
i learned much from Timothy Darling’s sermon “Overcoming the Sins of our Families”, April 2008, in sermoncentral.com.
Asa, the great great grandson of David, was able to overcome his family’s influence, and live a life pleasing to God.
– Asa’s great-grandfather Solomon had introduced paganism.
– Asa’s grandfather Rehoboam had divided the kingdom.
– His father Abijah maintained constant war with the neighbors.
– His grandmother Maacah was a a strong proponent of paganism.
Yet…
1 Kings 15:11-15 NLT
11 Asa did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, as his ancestor David had done.
12 He banished the male and female shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made.
13 He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene Asherah pole. He cut down her obscene pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
14 Although the pagan shrines were not removed, Asa’s heart remained completely faithful to the Lord throughout his life.
15 He brought into the Temple of the Lord the silver and gold and the various items that he and his father had dedicated.
What a fresh breath of air it is, to see that Asa was determined to break many of his family’s patterns to follow God.
May our God give us a steadfast heart to follow Him and to please Him, above following and pleasing our families!
Thank You God for His teaching!

Sincerely,
Joyce

====== Robert:

Acts 10

I really love how this story unfolds and gives us a pattern of what happens in church. The first half of the chapter gives us examples of what can happen during the week. Here we see incredible events of visions that Cornelius and Peter have. For myself I find it to be a relevant Word from God that I usually need to explore or dig deeper into.

In the latter part of the chapter when Peter visits Cornelius House it resembles a time I find myself visiting church on Sunday. Sometimes there is testimony of people’s experience with God. Most of them never attain awesome revelations that Peter and Cornelius had but they are always important. Verse 33 calls out on the pastor. “Now we are here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” Isn’t it wonderful when what he preaches syncs with what has been happening in your life?

A verse 39 – 43 reminds me of the time I attended a Lutheran Church and the Apostles Creed was said every Sunday. I always liked this time to confirm what I believe.

Then in the end the wonderful fulfillment of however the Holy Spirit moves us to celebrate and praise God. Lots of things can happen here but isn’t it wonderful that God accepts us as we are and invites us into the Kingdom!

Robert

====== Dee:

I second on that Joyce! It was a breath of fresh air to see Kimg Asa change things around!

1 Kings 14:1-15:24
Learn about a disguise
Jereboam was a coward
Didn’t identify a relationship with Jehovah
Rehoboams rule -lost both number/quality and quantity

Jereboams wife came in disguise to a prophet..priest..but was given bad news for Jereboam and his son.

The child was the only good thing in Jereboams family and town-he died. Jereboam reigned 22 years

Nadab became king-in his dad’s stead
Rehoboam -reigned 17 years . He was 41 yr old when he became King
Naamah was his mom of the Ammonites
Abijam ruled next for 3 yrs- mother Maacah -daughter of Absolom

Abijams son -Asa ruled Judah in 20th yr of Jereboams reign
Reigned 41 years -did what was pleasing in sight of God.
War between King Asa of Judah and King Baash of Israel over territories

Nt- Acts 10:1-23
Peter uses the keys for the 1st and last time
Peter breaks down barriers for Jesus and gentiles . Be alert to the voice of the Lord. Peter didn’t finish his sermon and others believed and was saved.

Simon Peter staying with Simon- went on the flat roof had a vision..first time Lord revealing the goods are for Jews and Gentiles.

Psalm 133:1-3
Makes me think of my husband and his brother. I grew up with 2 sisters. How wonderful it is..how pleasant when brothers love together in harmony. Yes prayers for peace to all!

Proverbs 17:7-8
A reminder to not lie .
People exaggerate – don’t do it- very close to a lie

Dee

======= Vance:

I Kings 14 (NKJV)
16
And He will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who sinned and who made Israel sin.”
Acts 10 (NKJV)
13
And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15
And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
20
Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
Psalm 133 (Amplified)
1
BEHOLD, HOW good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2
It is like the precious ointment [i.e., for anointing] poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body].
NOTE:
This morning on the way to work I heard Josh McDowell explain what is the single, most important reason which will determine if young people believe the Truth about Jesus or not. Keep in mind God’s Truth true, and there is clear evidence to support it.
Yet, the Truth being true is not enough to convince people. Josh McDowell said that the one, single most important factor that would determine if a young person believed the truth is LOVING RELATIONSHIP.
A 30 year study by Johns Hopkins showed that these two (2) reasons determine if a young person will adopt the values and beliefs of their parents:
1. a loving environment
2. parents modeling what they believe
You and I can speak to non-Christians and to other Christians precisely and accurately about truth—but without love, it is incomplete.
~~~
I share this because if Jeroboam had really meditated on the character and love of God, he would have never did the foolish thing he did in the sinful flesh to consolidate “his” power.
Psalm 103 (NKJV)
8
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
Romans 5 (NKJV)
8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
SECOND NOTE:
Then I heard on “Family Life Today” the importance of a man loving his wife. Wow! As a fairly new husband, it seems humanly impossible to obey the verse below in I Peter. However, as I wait on the Lord, that will go a long way in giving me authority to talk to our children and to others about Jesus. SPEAK THE TRUTH— IN LOVE.
I Peter 3 (NKJV)
7
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
GOD IS GOOD – ALL THE TIME!
May we be live God and be GIVERS of money, time, and love – trusting in and waiting on the Lord Jesus to release His ability of love to work through us.
Ephesians 5 (NKJV)
1
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Walking in love will normally create a very sweet and wonderful UNITY. UNITY allows for the anointing oil of God’s grace to flow over us and through us in deeper way.
When I think of oil, I also think of Psalm 23. See note below.
Psalm 23 (Amplified)
5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil [SEE FOOTNOTE]; my [brimming] cup runs over.
FOOTNOTE (in Amplified Bible):
It is difficult for those living in a temperate climate to appreciate, but it was customary in hot climates to anoint the body with oil to protect it from excessive perspiration. WHEN MIXED WITH PERFUME, THE OIL IMPARTED A DELIGHTFULLY REFRESHING AND INVIGORATING SENSATION. Athletes anointed their bodies as a matter of course before running a race.
As the body, therefore, anointed with oil was refreshed, invigorated, and better fitted for action, so the Lord would anoint His “sheep” with the Holy Spirit, Whom oil symbolizes, TO FIT THEM TO ENGAGE MORE FREELY IN HIS SERVICE AND RUN IN THE WAY HE DIRECTS–IN HEAVENLY FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM.
Vance

====== John:

1Kings14
[Sigh!] Well you can tell I have never read the whole Bible before this blog : ) I posted yesterday about the northern tribes not protesting against idol worship, the Levites leaving for the south,…
And now today we read that the south did basically the same thing under Abijah (or Abijam) the King of Judah for three years.
======================================================
I could not figure out why, when the cloak was torn or God spoke it was ten tribes and one tribe. I knew the Benjamites had been decimated in “Judges”, but they still existed.
[Later, when the Kingdom of Israel was divided, the Tribe of Benjamin joined with the Tribe of Judah to form the Kingdom of Judah, while the other tribes formed the reduced kingdom of Israel which was subsequently conquered and the people exiled. Benjamin was very much the minor partner, as the ruling House of David came from the far more numerous and powerful tribe of Judah. Thus it was the tribe of Judah who in time became identified with the entire people of the southerly Israelite kingdom, and gave their name to the Jews.]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribe_of_Benjamin
1Kings14:9
“..And have cast Me behind your back”: This was a powerful description of intense contempt towards God, as in Ezekiel 23:35 – Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, therefore you shall bear the penalty Of your lewdness and your harlotry.
i. “The last reason implies a neglect, a scorning of God. It is the same figure of speech used to describe God’s forgiveness of our sins. He puts them behind His back, or in other words, He forgets them. That is good news when it describes God’s treatment of our sins [Isaiah 38:17], but it is tragically bad news when it describes a person’s treatment of God.” (Dilday)
======================================================
Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem:
“Sheshonq I (Shishak) had founded the Egyptian (Libyan) Dynasty XXII (945-924 b.c.) and his raid into Palestine in this year (925 b.c.) is well attested on the Amon temple reliefs at Thebes (Karnak). From the one hundred and fifty place-names recorded there, his aim seems to have been to reassert Egyptian control over the main trade routes throughout Palestine and the Negeb.” (Wiseman)
He also took away all the gold shields which Solomon had made: 1 Kings 10:16-17 mentions these 500 shields, 200 large and 300 small. These shields made beautiful displays in the House of the Forest of Lebanon, but they were of no use in battle. Gold was too heavy and too soft to be used as a metal for effective shields. This was an example of the emphasis of image over substance that began in the days of Solomon and worsened in the days of Rehoboam.
i. According to Dilday, each large shield was worth about $120,000. The smaller shields were worth $30,000. $33 million was invested in gold ceremonial shields – and now in the hands of the Egyptians.
King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place:. The replacement of gold with bronze is a perfect picture of the decline under the days of Rehoboam. They dynasty of David went from gold to bronze in five years.
John

======= John:

Acts 10
vs.2
“He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” NIV
“Cornelius was in the category of what the Jews called God-fearers (one who feared God). These were Gentiles who loved the God of Israel and were sympathetic to and supportive of the Jewish faith. Yet they stopped short of becoming full Jews in lifestyle and in circumcision.”- David Guzik
The Three Kinds of Gentiles
Cornelius was “a devout man” (Ac. 10:2). That means he was pious and honestly religious–he feared God. The phrase “feared God” became a technical term for Gentiles. There were three kinds of Gentiles in the mind of a Jew.
1. A GENTILE
2. A GOD-FEARER
A Gentile who had become sick of his own religion–of its immoralities and idolatries–and had come to the conclusion that the God of Israel is the true God, was termed “a God- fearer. ” This type of Gentile began to pray to God, and perhaps became involved in the worship at a synagogue (e. g. the eunuch whom Philip met in Acts 8:26-39). The God-fearer believed in the ethics of the Old Testament, but had never been circumcised. He was not a full proselyte.
3. A PROSELYTE
The third level of Gentile was the proselyte who had come all the way to Judaism. He had actually gone through the act of circumcision and become fully identified with Israel. He was considered a Jew in a spiritual sense.
a. Cornelius Was a God-Fearer
He was not a full Jew, so he was considered a Gentile. Cornelius was sick of the immorality and emptiness of his own religion, and had attached himself to the Jewish religion. He probably didn’t accept the ceremonial laws and circumcision, but there is no doubt that he often attended worship. He believed in one God and in the ethics of the Old Testament.
When Paul went into the synagogues of the Gentile cities he journeyed to, he usually would lead the God-fearers to Christ first. They were the people who had lived up to the light that they had been given. When Paul arrived, they received more light and were saved. As Paul moved from city to city, small groups of God-fearers were saved. They became a terrible threat to the Jews in each city.
======================================================
I COULD NOT AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT MORE:
“Cornelius was a very religious man, yet someone can be very religious and not be saved….”
In Acts 11:14 Peter later related that the angel in Cornelius’s vision said this: ” [Peter] shall tell thee [Cornelius] words, by which thou and all thy house shall be saved. ” Cornelius was not saved–he was not a Christian. He did not know Jesus Christ. He did not belong to the body of Christ. But he was living up to the light that he did have, and God was moving to give him more light. Until he heard the gospel from Peter, he did not have enough information to be saved. There are many unsaved religious people involved in many religious activities who aren’t seeking God. But Cornelius’s religion was honest–He was seeking the true God with a true heart. God always honors that.
Unless otherwise noted – thoughts came from John MacArthur sermon.
John
June 14th Bible in a Year Readings

June 14, 2026

1 Kings 12:20-13:34 + Acts 9:26-43 + Psalm 132:1-18 + Proverbs 17:6
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Well, Jeroboam didn’t last very long before worshipping other gods! Keep in mind Jeroboam’s name as we continue to read through the book of Kings – you will continue to hear about “Jeroboam’s sin” and “the sin Jeroboam caused Israel to commit” many times in our upcoming readings – even long after he is dead. Not a legacy one would want to leave behind… Here is an image of Jeroboam leading the Israelites into the sin of worshiping a golden calf:

Interesting story about the man of God from Judah prophesying against the altar at Bethel. The man of God delivers his prophecy and then shuns Jeroboam’s invite to go to his palace for food and a gift. The man of God appears very strong. And then later… he lets down his guard. And he falls prey to the lie of the old prophet. Now why on earth the old prophet decided to pursue the man of God and tell this lie is beyond me. If anyone has insights on this, please post up in the Comments below. I think the lesson here for us today is this – we cannot let down our guard when it comes to spiritual matters. I think sometimes we think we can – but we simply cannot! If we do let down our guard, then we often stumble. And thanks to God’s grace we can recover from that stumble. But, there is always the dangerous risk that our stumble could be very severe, as it certainly was for the man of God in today’s readings…

New Testament – Wow. Something about Acts chapter 9 verse 31 really stood out to me as we read about the early church today: “The believers were walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” Read this verse again. Whaddya think? The believers of the early church were walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. I don’t know about you, but I want to walk like that! I love that dichotomy – that balance – of walking in fear and comfort. No – don’t get me wrong – I’m not talking about a fraidy-cat type of fear. But I am talking about a healthy / respectful fear – I mean, just look at the image above again of the lion and the man of God. I don’t mean to bag on the man of God by any means, but I think it is safe to say that he was walking in the “fear of the Lord” when he shunned Jeroboam’s invite, but then he may have not been walking in the “fear of the Lord” when accepted the old prophet’s lie. And, like the old prophet in today’s Kings readings, do you think that people will lie to you and me today? Will the Enemy, the Destroyer, seek to lie to us? If so, do you think there is value in walking in the “fear of the Lord” today? While – at the same time walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. There is something about the wisdom of this verse in Acts today that I really really like. This may be one of those verses to really meditate upon. I think there is so much value in this verse for our lives… Today – are you walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit?

Great readings today about Peter healing and raising the dead in Jesus’ name! Verse 40 is amazing: “But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up!” Below is a fresco of this scene (though Peter is not kneeling and everyone had not left the room… still some great art! 🙂 from the year 1424 by the Italian Renaissance painter Masaccio, which is in the Brancacci Chapel in Florence, Italy:

Psalms – Psalm 132 is a fantastic psalm of the King David era! It is thought that this Psalm may have been written for the dedication of the temple or it may have been used in a coronation ceremony. Verses 4 & 5 stood out to me today as demonstrating David’s dedication to God – “I will not let my eyes sleep nor close my eyelids in slumber until I find a place to build a house for the LORD, a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.” What in your life is keeping you awake at night? Is it something of God’s will? Or perhaps something worldly (not of God’s will)? Will you pursue God’s will in your life, and leave worldly things behind you? Will you pursue building “a sanctuary for God” in your life above all else?

Proverbs – Proverbs 17 verse 6 is an amazing Proverb today: “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.” The obvious slam-dunk commentary is the grandchildren portion – and I’ve got an image below for you on that one. But I really want to camp out on “parents are the pride of their children.” This is beautiful! You’d think it would go the other way around – and certainly it works the other way around nicely: Kids are the pride of their parents. But parents being the pride of their children – this is great! (and very reminiscent of the Commandment to honor your father and mother) And something each of us should really meditate upon and remember as our parents get older. They are going to need us to care for them. And they should be our pride! And now… back to the cute grandchildren photo to close us out today 🙂 –

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Acts reminds me of the Jason Gray song “More Like Falling in Love:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA9IfB7coKg

Have you Fallen in Love with God? Click here to fall in love!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The believers were walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:31 NLT1

Prayer Point: Pray that you are walking in the fear of the Lord today. Pray that you are walking with the comfort of the Holy Spirit today. Pray that forevermore you will walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort 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:

Mike,

I’m on lunch break so I’ll try to deal with 1 Kings 13 from a perspective of a repetitive phrase, “The word of the Lord,” as per the New International Translation (I believe in the NLT the phrase used is, “The Lord’s command,” but it is easier to count phrases in the NLT in this instance). The phrase, “”The word of the Lord,” is stated eleven times in the span of thirty-four verses.

I am operating out of a belief that when you see a pattern or phrase cited over and over again in a short span one needs to take serious heed. I believe one of the things seen in this verse if the cost of disobedience, disobeying a clear “Word of the Lord.” The prophet got a Word from God and followed it up until he met another prophet, an old prophet, who validated a lie by prefacing the deceit with these words, “”I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD …” (Verse 18). This prophet was deceived by a man of God. Then after the prophet was killed the old prophet began speaking truth or what he had heard from God.

The lion standing next to the dead prophet and the live donkey without dining on neither one nor the donkey being afraid of the lion shows us that this was not some tragic accident or event, this was judgment.

When we are given a direct Word from God we are not to let anyone distract us from our assignment, even if it is a “Man of God” who has been “On the Lord’s Highway for a Long Time.” It is God who confirms His Word to us and if someone else comes with a change in plans declaring God has spoken to him or her, if you don’t receive a Word from God yourself that confirms this change of plans, It Ain’t God! The same way God came to the prophet to give him his assignment is the same way he will come to change it. Now there can be a problem if we aren’t listening to Him; however, if we are not in a mode to listen to God I don’t think He would give an assignment that was as dangerous and important as this prophet had if we were are confused about what God’s voice sounds like. However Jesus did say, “My sheep listen to my voice.”(John 10:27) But we all know that listening is one thing and doing is another.

The verses were the phrase the Word of the Lord appears:

1) One
2) Two
3) Five
4) Nine
5) Seventeen
6) Eighteen
7) Twenty
8) Twenty-One A
9) Twenty-One B
10) Twenty-Six
11) Thirty-Two

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Ramona:

I Kings 12:20-13:34

What is it about cows that Israel loved so much? Jeroboam had already been given a Word from God that came to pass, God would give him ten tribes of Israel. God told him why the kingdom was being taken from Solomon and he gave him conditional promises. If Jeroboam did what God commanded him to do and walk in God’s ways, the Kingdom of Israel would be he “sure house.”

Despite all that assurance, Jeroboam wasted no time in doubting God. He figured that God was able to give him a kingdom, but God wasn’t able to keep it so fear drove him to create two cow idols to give the people something other than God to worship. He essentially was afraid of his own people. He was afraid that they would not submit to his leadership.

What has God placed in our hands, things we know that we did not get because we are so good, yet turned and doubted that the God who gave us such wonderful things, didn’t have the strength to keep it? . The idols we make are things we can control and maybe that is why we make them.

Acts 9:26-43

I wonder if Barnarbas’ relationship with Saul, at this point, is a model for us to use when we are newly converted. I know the text does not say Barnabas disciple-ed Paul, but he at least had enough courage to come along side Paul as he built up relationships with believers in Jerusalem. Trust is something that must be developed over time through experience. Scripture states that we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). I can’t really know or trust that the Lord is my Shepherd until I’m between a Rock and a Hard Place and He leads me out. So if a stranger or someone who use to be a violent zealot against Christians shows up and says I’ve changed, I think some time needs to pass so that their Christian fruit can be seen and tested.

Psalm 132:1-18
I love the last line of this Psalm,

18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but he will be a glorious king.”

This reminds me that no matter what adversity I find myself going through that adversity doesn’t determine my final outcome. My victory lies not in me but in the “glorious king” I serve, Jesus.

Proverbs 17:6

Not only do I see this verse as Mike sees it, honoring our parents, but I see it as a mandate to parents and grandparents to live a life that children and grandchildren will be proud to point too.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

Jeroboam was happy to hear God had chosen him as king but had no fear of God and wanted nothing to do with God….Israel in the desert made one gold calf…Jeroboam decided to make two…what is it about cows?.I guess we see Jeroboam in today’s world when people know God exists,maybe even go to church yet refuse to live by God’s standards or submit to him.The old prophet in Bethel maybe needed to have fellowship with a brother in faith,so he lied and it cost the other prophet from judah his life.I have to wonder though why the punishment in this prophet’s case was so harsh and why the other prophet seemingly got away with his lies…Well if there was a prophet in Bethel and God called one from Judah,I guess the prophet from Bethel may have not been so godly…this should have given the Judah prophet a hint that maybe God wasn’t with him anymore…The prophet from Judah might have listened because it’s what he wanted to hear…..I guess this is a big lesson in seeking a confirmation from God when one comes with a word…..and another thing….God doesn’t say one thing one day,then send someone to tell you to do the opposite.I don’t know how the old prophet felt when he saw what his lies caused….
Success isn’t about how well you lived during your life time but the number of people you have touched….Tabitha certainly was successful:)I have been thinking alot about what my next step will be when I finish my residency.I pray God helps me keep my desires alive if they are my vision…….
God bless you all.
Anka

====== Andrew:

Mike is puzzled by the motivations of the old prophet in lying to the man of God, and concludes that we cannot afford to ever let down our spiritual guard. The man of God should have discerned the lie, he should have seen the trap and not trusted the old prophet.

How do we do this without becoming paranoid? It seems to me there is a big risk of being endlessly suspicious of people – even of our brothers and sisters.

Andrew

====== Luch:

I am thankful for the ministry of encouragement embodied in Barnabas and Ananias and Peter. Each of these men show us how important it is for ministry to be done through people.

Ananias was there for Saul in his initial steps. Granted it took some persuading from the Lord for him to get moving but he did ‘lay his hands’ on Saul, affirming him.
When Saul tried to join the disciples, they said ‘no way’, but Barnabas shows up and says, “He’s okay’ and he ‘sponsors’ him into the community.

And then there is Peter who is doing what Jesus told him in John 21 –feed my sheep, take care of the lambs– As he travels through the area to ‘visit the believers’ he was no doubt blessing people as he did with Aeneas and Dorcas. People helping people. In the swirl of busy religious activity that goes on today I wonder if we are missing this simple piece of the Christian experience.
I thank God for the Ananias’ and Barnabas, and Peter like encouragers that were there for me through the years. I am where I am today by the grace of God and by the hands on help of some pretty amazing focused people helpers.

May God grant us the ability and the sensitivity to invest in people as our forefathers did. Can you imagine what would happen in our respective faith communities if each of us would be a Barnabas, a Peter, an Ananias, or a Dorcas to SOMEONE….Wow!!!

Luch

====== Vance:

I like this question by Mike: “Today – are you walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit?”

I Kings 12 (NKJV)
26
And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David:
27
If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah.”
28
Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!”

NOTE:
Look at Jeroboam’s foolish logic: He wanted to keep the 10 tribes that God Himself had promised to him (I Kings 11:30 – 33) from joining with the 2 tribes still belonging to Rehoboam (Solomon’s son). So what did he do? He decided to create a permanent rift between the people of God by deliberately leading the 10 tribes into sin!

Pride can lead to a fall. It is when we are successful because of obeying the Lord that we have to gather people around us to be accountable so we do not develop sinful pride.

Note: The gods that Jeroboam led them to believe were the very gods that the Father God told them to completely destroy: Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Chemosh the god of the Moabites. It is interesting that many forms of Baalism – the male god (Chemosh) and the female goddess (Ashtoreth) are worshipped through the act of sexual intercourse. This theme of sexual immorality as a means of worship runs all the way through “The DaVinci Code”.

Psalm 132 (NKJV)
4
I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,
5
Until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.

Again, I like this question: “Today – are you walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit?”

May we be like David who refused to have his own comfort until God’s Presence was honored first. God wants to abide with us. The anointing of His Presence greatly desires to rest upon us to enable us to enter fully into life so we can lead others from death to life.

Isaiah 66 (NKJV)
1
Thus says the LORD: “ Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?
2
For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,” says the LORD. “ But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.

Psalm 34 (NKJV)
18
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Proverbs 14 (NKJV)
27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.

Vance

====== Ramona:

1 Kings 12:20-13:34

Today’s passage, especially the one about the “Man of God” and the prophet is one I have read over and over again to find it’s clues for God’s judgment. Why was the “Man of God” attacked by the lion and not eaten? Why was the donkey left alone when the donkey has more “meat” on it than the man does? This is a sign of God’s judgment because the lion acted outside of its nature.

Both the Man of God and Jeroboam rebelled against the Word of the Lord. Jeroboam had been given a promise by God that he would have an extended kingdom like David, if he obeyed the Word of the Lord. The Man of God was given a clear Word from the Lord about what to do, yet he allowed a man who said he was a prophet to waylay him from a clear instruction of God. The question is, why? I just took note upon reading this today that the “Man of God” was found by the old prophet sitting under an Oak Tree. Who is to say that this off to the side itinerary wasn’t the “foot-in-the-door” the old prophet needed to catch up with the “Man of God.”

So many of us in the Body of Chrst fail our assignments because somebody comes along and distracts us. We have a clear Word from God about our assignment and then someone comes along and either tells us, “God didn’t say that,” or like the old prophet, throws up his or her resume and declares, “I’m a prophet/deacon/preacher/teacher too and then we change our direction. I”ve also noted that the old prophet stated that he was a prophet which violets a rule,

BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. (1 John 4:1 AMP)

God always confirms His Word to us, always. God has this thing that usually drives folks nuts, He repeats His Word, His promises, His commands over and over again and all those who have been reading with us through the Bible will have picked up this pattern. Also, if God spoke directly to the Man of God, why would He send an old prophet to deliver a contrary message by way of an angel? If your relationship with God is such that He would speak to you directly, if God changed His instructions would not you think He would speak to you again? All of a sudden, senile God needs an angel to deliver a message through an old man claiming to be a prophet.

What happened to the Man of God is what happened back in The Garden, “Did God really say …?”

This is a clear warning to us.

Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did. [Num. 11:4, 34.]
(1 Corinthians 10:6 AMP)

Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period). Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. (1 Corinthians 10:11-13 AMP)

To the “Man of God” Jeroboam was clearly evil and rebelling against God; however, the old prophet “kinda—sorta—looked like good,” and that is the danger, the “kinda-sort-looks-like-to me.”

And as to why the “Man of God” was judged at that time and not the old prophet? Who knows but that is how the Mercy of God shows up:

And God said, I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, THE LORD, before you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness. [Rom. 9:15, 16.] (Exodus 33:19 AMP)

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Kristie:

In I Kings, what stood out to me is how you can’t rest on your laurels as a leader. Here this prophet does a bold and amazing thing by bringing the prophesy against Jeroboam. But then he gets caught up in the other prophet’s lie before checking the veracity of it…and he ends up dying from a grisly lion attack. We always need to live in fear of the Lord, even when we think it is a time of “rest” and the “hard part” of ministry is over. The spiritual battle is always raging.

Kristie

====== Romayne:

I think the lying prophet thing is very prevalent to today’s Christian culture – when you look at some famous name so-called prophets preaching prosperity gospels, or errant end-times material to the masses who for whatever reason seem to just soak it up, you can see how appropriate the lesson is. For me, the key would be confidence in our ability to hear God at all first off, then as Ramona said, if you do gain that ability to discern His Voice amongst all others, to trust Him to continue to speak to you that way in all matters – while he may send confirmation of a ‘task’ in His Will, He is unlikely to send you someone who will speak opposition to the original “Word”. Having spent a lot of time lately listening to multiple US pastors and preachers, this has been a lesson of sorts for me – to be discerning and recognise those who’re teaching false gospel. And I’m SO grateful that as I’ve prayed for discernment, the Lord has indeed been providing it, but I’m also learning that arrogance and pride once more rear their ugly heads in this area too – once you have tasted His discernment, leading etc, you can fall into a trap of thinking you’d ALWAYS know and recognise falsehood, but that’s not always going to be the case. And that could have been part of this poor guy’s problem too – thinking he was always going to be right in his discernment and thus right in his decisions.

Interesting that the one who caused all the problems in this instance appears to have walked away unharmed, even though he committed a grievous sin although we know he would have got his just reward eventually anyway.

As has been pointed out, we do indeed need to pause constantly before the Lord when undertaking any tasks, but particularly those that are very important or which we think God’s made very clear to us what His Will is. Never be complacent or our adversary will have no problem stealing your joy.

Romayne

====== Sue:

I have thought and thought about Solomon’s decline into disfavor with God.

I used to tell my son when he was growing up that “You are not deprived of enough…” and that was not said mean spirited. When we do not have to work for what we have we tend to take things for granted and we feel entitled; Solomon never had to do anything but administer and delegate. David had to fight from being the youngest of –what? 6 or 7 siblings! Then he had to prove himself with Goliath, and then he had to dodge a spear while Saul played darts with him, and then he had to run for his life when Saul got jealous of him, and he could not trust those nearest him, and his own son sought to have him killed, another son tried to subvert his decision to make Solomon king…it was NEVER easy for David, and because of that David had to rely on the Lord.

Okay, that’s it for now, but I want you to look specifically in this part of what John Gatto had to say that caused me to feel such passion to write this:

“Dewey called this transformation “the new individualism.” When I stepped into the job of schoolteacher in 1961, the new individualism was sitting in the driver’s seat all over urban America, a far cry from my own school days on the Monongahela when the Lone Ranger, not Sesame Street, was our nation’s teacher, and school things weren’t nearly so oppressive. But gradually they became something else in the euphoric times following WWII. Easy money and easy travel provided welcome relief from wartime austerity, the advent of television, the new nonstop theater, offered easy laughs, effortless entertainment. Thus preoccupied, Americans failed to notice the deliberate conversion of formal education that was taking place, a transformation that would turn school into an instrument of the leviathan state. Who made that happen and why is part of the story I have to tell.”

I do think if things are going too easy for us, we really have to ask ourselves if this is in our best interest.

Sue

====== Lisa:

I think that the Man of God was being TESTED by God. God never tempts us, but he does test us. God is sovereign and will use anything or anyone He pleases to test our obedience and in this case He used someone very unlikely- an old PROPHET. I believe a lying spirit sent by the Lord was speaking out of the old prophet’s mouth. It’s when we think we “stand” we must take heed- lest we fall. We don’t know the man of God’s inner struggles and weaknesses . God has His reasons for testing this man. Consider the times He’s tested you in some areas. Remember how the Word of the Lord “tried” (tested) Joseph. He passed his test. Some do not. I do believe God showed mercy on the man of God by restraining the mouth of the lion from eating him and also by providing the donkey for the man to be transported to his burial site. The Lord didn’t have to do that but He abides faithful even when we are not.

Lisa

====== Pat:

A comment on 1 KINGS 13 – I think the real lesson here is that the only word we can count on is the Word of God! God will never mislead us. Regardless of what anyone tells us, even a minister, if we can’t determine for ourselves from God’s Word that it is accurate, then we shouldn’t follow it. After all, false prophets quote scripture but they also add to it, delete from it or twist it to make it agree with their own agenda.

God Bless,
Pat

====== Dan:

The old prophet like all old testament men and women only had the spirit of God upon them (not in them) and this was not continuous. The old prophet was acting in his flesh. A desire to see if this was really so for himself. The lie was a continuation of his selfish will. He knew that the prophet had said he could not eat drink or return the same way when he said “saddle my donkey”. When we start down a road that is not ours to take we invite the flesh and the devil to take charge. When he got to the old prophet he did what our flesh always requires whatever it takes to have our way.He lied.
Dan

====== Carmen:

Through out todays readings we see God’s faithfulness to the promise He made to David. This gives me a reassurance that He will be faithful to all the promises He has given us in His Holy Word. He is a faithful God who will always love us and and keep His commandments. BUT, through out the scriptures we see that the only thing He demands of us is OBEDIENCE. For He says in His word:
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
John14:21
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
John14:24
“He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”
So as we can see…obedience is necessary. Especially in those days, since Jesus had not yet paid for there sins. Now we still are required to obey BUT, we have consolation in the sacrifice of Jesus our Messiah.Who bore our sins and disobedience. I praise God for His undying mercy in my life!!!!!

Carmen

====== Reuben:

I’ll take a crack at it. In Israel at that time, there was no formal prophetic office – the Levites and others who were God-minded were tending to go to Judah with the Temple and the Davidic family rule. So anyone who claimed to be a prophet in Israel had to establish that claim with accurate revelation. I think the old prophet was testing the young one. He was sad when the young one failed the test because he wanted the young one to succeed because Israel needed good prophets, but to be a prophet meant to keep God’s will at all times. Also keep in mind that often in the OT there is commentary about stuff that happens but we don’t necessarily know that the stuff is in line with God’s will or not. So I’m not saying the old prophet was doing what God wanted, but I think that is what he had in mind.

Reuben

====== Teriann:

The story in 1Kings about Jeroboam and the two prophets always makes me shake my head a bit. But I noticed something today, that was 13:14, “he found him sitting under an oak tree.” The man of God was given a mission, confront the king and then get home without stopping. He did the hard part and God backed him up with signs and wonders. He even resisted the Kings offer but he fell short in doing ALL that God had told him to do. I’m reminded of Saul who killed most of the Amalekites. Isn’t that the definition of sin, falling short of God’s standard? I wonder if he had not stopped for a rest if the old prophet would have ever caught up with him. As to the old prophet”s motive for lying; I think it might have had something to do with envy. This is just my guess but he seemed really eager to get in on the action. Maybe it had been a while since he had been used by God to speak a word. He may have been wondering why God had not sent him to the king. I know there have been times in my life when I have stumbled over this type of reasoning. So there are two lessons to be learned here: the first is when God calls us to do something, it is important to complete the task 100 percent. The second is when God does NOT call us to a task; it’s important to trust that God knows what He is doing! Envy is nasty in any form. I love Paul’s attitude in Phil. 1:18 “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice.”

Teriann

====== Zig:

i am very confused about what happened with the prophet of God and if someone has some insight please do share.
I am of the thinking that if God were to speak to me and then a “prophet” or my pastor were to come and tell me that God has spoken to him too, I might follow my pastor as I do believe he too has a direct connection of sorts with the Father. I do get that he did disobey God and listened to a human’s instructions and not the original ones but under the circumstances, couldn’t God have talked to him again, sent him a vision or something? He was doing what God thought was correct. The Old testament is harsh.

Zig

====== Frederick:

Psalm 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

This verse is said to be the middle verse in the whole bible. God tells us to take refuge in Him rather than trust in man.

Jeroboam did not take refuge in the LORD. So, God warned him by the man of God.

The man of God did not seek confirmation with God and trusted in man.

With regard to the ‘old prophet’, I think it is always good to be alert when someone approach you and tell you that he/she got a message from God for you. There are weeds. There are false teachers. There are false prophets. There are false brothers/sisters.

Frederick

====== Rob:

So many times we are tested just as Gods chosen. This old prophet was not someone the man of God knew well as you may know your pastor. He had to tell the man of God who he was and convince him to come back with lies. Why didn’t the man of God ask God???
I think that when God spoke to someone in the Old Testament His Word was to be followed to the letter. He knew that God had spoken to him and that Gods words had come to reality with the pagan alter being split so why would another prophet override what God had said. Being diligent to the Holy Spirit call today is always hard and there will be people to try to sway us.

Rob

====== George:

The prophet who was sent to the King had a close relation to God. He received from God a clear message for the King as well as for himself. He knew what he heard from God and obeyed the part that was meant to be told the king. But like many of us we do not pay careful attention to the things that are told to us, he did not pay full attention to the instruction for him to obey . We too make such mistakes, we hear but do not listen.

The Berean believers not only heard the word of God but were careful to check them out to see if they were so. This prophet erred in not asking God for guidance when he heard contradictory utterances. God will not contradict himself! If God spoke to the prophet once, God could speak to him again if it was necessary.

We find it in the life of prophet Nathan that God send him back to David with a different message when it came to David’s desire to build the temple for God.

There was no need for God to find another man to run after His prophet to pass on a message. This prophet should have known that he had a channel of communication with his God that was not hindered by any sin at that time that God had to find someone else to send a message to him. The old prophet surely is not from God and is a false prophet. Today also there are such “prophets” that we need to be careful of.

We too can make the same mistake that the prophet of God made if we are not alert, if we are not careful.

George

====== Frederick:

One new thought.

Why God did not speak to the ‘old prophet’ to asked the latter to speak to Jeroboam? Instead, God spoke to the man of God to confront Jeroboam. So, I think the man of God should be alert about this.

Frederick

====== Zig:

Thanks a lot for that insight guys. Its become so crystal clear to me now. BE BLESSED.

Zig

====== Felix:

Between Jeroboam and the prophet, I think some of us whether pastors or the congregations are sometimes covetious, we are not always satisfy and contented by what God gives us.How man mens of God has lost focus as a result of demands from people around them.I was told of a pastor who collected money from the church for a casock that a man bought earlier for the church which was kept in the pastor’s house. Knowing fully that nobody remembered, he collected money from the church telling them he bought it for the church when he travelled. Eventually, his trick was discovered. Is it not the same? May God deliver us. We have to be very careful indeed about God’s instruction! Thanks, felix Epebinu, Nigeria

Felix

====== Frea:

Thank you for helping me dive deeper today. I love today’s memory verse and how you talked about it. May this be the daily experience for all members of God’s big family whether new Christians, seasoned believers, or prodigals who have recently returned (it me). PS. I have nothing on why the old prophet would lie to the other prophet. It seemed really odd to me, so I’m glad it’s not just he who though that.

Frea

====== Dee:

Love your commentary Ramona

I pray I walk in the holy spirit today. I pray I not get offended and if I do, that I don’t show it. I am humble and say words of wisdom and kindness to others. In 1st Kings it spoke of Rehoboam and Jeroboam and more so on Jeroboam and his sin of worshipping and getting others to worship golden calves. How sad and then the prophet being deceived by another prophet and facing the ultimate punishment. Another sad one. Makes us realize that just because someone comes in the name of the Lord and has pretenses doesn’t mean they are holy. Be on guard and stay vigilant.

Acts..Sauls conversion and Peter’s healing. When one is known by one character and then changes, the old skin has to shed before others see the change..sometimes it takes time and patience but stay steadfast. Peter, he went , he visited he believed and others received some of that healing through the Holy Spirit working through and in Peter. Hallelujah

Psalm 132..remembrance of David and his passion for wanting to build the temple and God’s commitment to keeping an heir on the throne. Everything has instructions and principles to live by. We should have healthy fear and want to obey to keep the law and honor God alone. Any other thing or being ahead of the Lord is non negotiable to consider. Thank the Lord, we have his mercy and grace to draw us in..such sinners into the throne of grace. Hallelujah

Proverbs 17:6 Grands!! Wow..Can I say I can’t wait to be a grandmother. I have one married and one in college and dating. Grand children are a crown in glory and one I can’t wait to see and love and cherish. Also I hope that our children will find pride in caring for us as we get older. (Which I hope isn’t for a long, long time) Amen

Dee

======= John:

Acts9:43 Peter is definately changing (maturing)
“So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.”
a. He stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner: For a law-keeping Jew of that time, it was strictly forbidden to associate with anyone who routinely worked with dead animals. According to the laws of that time, a tanner had to live at least 75 feet outside a village because of his ritual uncleanness.
i. “The trade of a tanner was held in such supreme contempt that if a girl was betrothed to a tanner without knowing that he followed that calling, the betrothal was void.” (Morgan)
b. Because he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner, we see Peter is less concerned about Jewish traditions and ceremonial notions than he was before. This work of God in Peter’s heart lays groundwork for what God will do in Peter in the following chapter.
1Kings12
Everyone has done such a complete job of talking about Jeroboam and the prophets. I wanted to go back to chapter 12.
I found interesting that there was no outcry from the people. Most of the Levites left for southern region, and the people of the North seemed to “go along to get along”. How deep was their faith in God? Not very. Apparently even after the “sign” from God from the prophet – it seemed business returned as usual. Did it “tickle” their ears – or was it really all about convenience? Regardless, the “north” will pay a price for this sin.
Jeroboam seemed intent on following his own way (seeking advice that agreed or just going it on his own), much like Rehoboam and his young advisors.
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Therefore the king asked advice: There was no point in asking advice for this evil purpose. Jeroboam wanted advice on how to do a bad thing in the best way.
i. Jeroboam was even more foolish than it first appears. “It literally says, ‘Therefore the king took counsel of himself.’ ” (Dilday) “The phrase discovers the fountain of his error, that he did not consult with God, who had given him the kingdom; as in all reason, and justice, and gratitude he should have done.” (Poole)
d. It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt! Jeroboam appealed to their natural desire for convenience. Men will usually take the easy way out when they can; therefore it is good if an idol in Bethel or Dan can replace a trip all the way to Jerusalem.
i. Jeroboam becomes an example of a political leader who shapes religion for his own purpose. The issue of true religion was unimportant to Jeroboam; he was interested in useful religion.
ii. Here are your gods, O Israel: Jeroboam repeats the same words of Aaron about 500 years before his time (Exodus 32:4).
iii. It is possible – perhaps even likely – that Jeroboam intended the gold calves to represent the God of Israel. This wasn’t the introduction of a new god, but a perversion of the proper worship of the true God. “Men are willing to worship God if they are allowed to have a ritual and symbols which they have themselves devised.” (Spurgeon)
The legitimate priests and Levites who lived in the northern ten tribes did not like this. They, along with others who set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, moved from the northern kingdom of Israel to the southern kingdom of Judah during this period (2 Chronicles 11:13-16). Spiritually speaking, Israel was struck twice – by the ungodly religion of Jeroboam and by the departure of the godly and faithful. There were few godly people left in the northern kingdom.
For the most part, the world embraces the religion of Jeroboam. Not necessarily his particular expression of golden calves and high places, but a religion created according to taste. In the book Habits of the Heart, Robert Bellah and his colleagues interviewed a young nurse named Sheila Larson, whom they described as representing many Americans’ experience and views on religion. Speaking about her own faith and how it operated in her life, she said: “I believe in God. I’m not a religious fanatic. I can’t remember the last time I went to church. My faith has carried me a long way. It is ‘Sheilaism.’ Just my own little voice.” This “pick-and-choose-as-I-go-along-according-to-my-inner-voice” approach is the modern version of Jeroboam’s religion – and in opposition to the revealed religion of the Bible.
NOTE: I would debate the term “revealed religion” and prefer “revealed message on faith”.
John

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