Old Testament – Today in Second Chronicles we read about the furnishings for the Temple, including the completion of the Sea in chapter 4 verses 4 & 5 – “The Sea rested on a base of twelve bronze oxen, all facing outward. Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east. The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a lily blossom. It could hold about 16,500 gallons of water.” The Sea was used by the priests for their ceremonial washings. Interestingly, the New Testament views these washing rituals as a foreshadowing of the cleansing provided to us by Jesus, as we will read later this year in Hebrews chapter 9 verses 11-14: “When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Below is an image of the Sea from today’s readings:
Today we also read about the Ark being brought to the Temple. Second Chronicles chapter 5 verses 13 & 14 are incredible to consider: “The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.”
New Testament – Great writings by Paul in Romans 7 today about the Law! I love how he wraps up today’s readings in verses 12 & 13 by saying: “But still, the law itself is holy and right and good. But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my doom? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commandment for its own evil purposes.” Great theology in this chapter today! Indeed – the law itself is holy and right and good. But, we couldn’t keep the law and sin tempted us to break the law. And thanks to Jesus, Paul tells us in verse 6 today: “But now we have been released from the law, for we died with Christ, and we are no longer captive to its power. Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit.” We now serve God by the Spirit! We are free indeed!
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Romans readings titled “The Loveliness of the Law and the Ugliness of Sin” is at this link.
Psalms – In Psalm 17 David appeals to God as Judge when he is being attacked by foes. Verse 7 is a great prayer and comfort! “Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies.” Do you seek refuge with God from whatever might attacking you? Do you believe that God will show you his unfailing love in wonderful ways? Have you been saved by God’s strength? Have you sought refuge with God from your “enemies”?
Proverbs – I like Proverbs 19 verse 22 today! “Loyalty makes a person attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest.” It is an interesting combination of proverbs in one verse. I do agree that loyalty is an attractive quality in people. Are you loyal to God? And I wholeheartedly agree that it is better to be poor than dishonest. Dishonestly is a sin that breeds so many other sins and wrong-thinkings in our life. It’s to be avoided – even if it means being materially poor. You will be wealthy in God’s eyes because of your honesty!
Worship Video: Romans 7 verse 6 I think correlates very well with this video of The David Crowder Band’s “Everything Glorious”:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” Romans 7:4 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are alive in Christ. Pray for the body of Christ. Pray that you are bearing fruit for God.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS: (our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Jim:
The image you put of the Temple’s Sea was great. For all the verbose description of the Temple in Chronicles, I’ve always had a hard time visualizing it. (What the heck is the Sea anyway?) Now I know. Romans is interesting because it almost seems that if we had no knowledge of the Law, how could sin manifest itself? But Paul’s analysis was right on in saying that sin and the devil use God’s Law against us, tempting us to do what is specifically forbidden by the law. Praise God and thank God for his mercy upon me. Have a great day all. Jim
====== Vance:
Second Chronicles chapter 5 verses 13 & 14 are incredible to consider –
“The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!”
At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.”
The KJV renders the last part of verse 14 as: “…for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.”
This is according to the “Blue Letter Bible”, by which one can see the Hebrew and Greek meanings of words through Strong’s Concordance.
Hebrew: LORD – Y@hovah {yeh-ho-vaw’}
This means: Jehovah = “the existing One”
Hebrew: “glory” –kabowd {kaw-bode’}
The meaning is:
1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance a) abundance, riches b) honour, splendour, glory c) honour, dignity d) honour, reputation e) honour, reverence, glory f) glory
I do not know the source of the quote, but C.S. Lewis defined glory in a way that has always really impressed me, and which truly captures the essence of glory.
He defines glory as that which is “weighty, substance, of true value.” Picture a set of scales, and you are measuring two (2) different things. Gold has more “glory” and has more “substance” than other substances. Thus, the side of the scale, which weighs the gold, is “weighed down”
Think about it!
It is very important to praise the Lord – to set time aside to do this—to offer not just offerings from our substance (possessions) – but our very selves as well.
When we do that, we are following the example of the priests in verse 13: “…they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!”
And when we consistently do that—as a habit—then, we allow the TRUE glory, substance—that which lasts and that which is eternal—to be deposited into our being.
Then, what the Lord promised with an oath in Isaiah 54 will come true: (Amplified Bible)
verse 9 For this is like the days of Noah to Me; as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you.
verse 10 For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you.
If we persistently, consistently offer our possessions and ourselves to the Lord in praise, then the “riches, abundance, splendor, reputation” and the “weightiness, substance, true lasting value” of God’s character will be deposited into our lives!
Isaiah 54 (Amplified Bible)
verse 17 This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.
I end with quotes from The Weight of Glory, by C.S. Lewis…
“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.
Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations–these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.
But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit–immortal horrors or everlasting splendours.
This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of the kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously–no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.
And our charity must be real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinners–no mere tolerance, or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment.
Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is your Christian neighbour, he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ vere latitat, the glorifier and the glorified, Glory Himself, is truly hidden.”
Remember: Christ is us is the CERTAIN, GUARANTEED hope of glory!… and PRAISE increases the substance of GLORY of Jesus IN and THROUGH us !
Vance
====== Vance:
Romans 7 (NKJV) 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. 4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
Verse five says, “For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were through the law, operated in our members to bear fruit to death.” This verse speaks of what we were.
Verse six says, “But now we are discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held, that we should serve as slaves in newness of spirit and not in oldness of letter.” When we were in the flesh (v. 5), we were the old husband.
When we were discharged from the law (v. 6), we became the wife. We have been discharged from the law of the old husband, having died to that in which we were held.
By now it should be very clear who is the old husband. The old husband is our old man. The wife is our regenerated new man. As the old man we are dead, and as the new man we are alive. We were dead as the old husband, but now are alive as the wife. As we shall see, the wife does two things— bears fruit to God and serves in newness of spirit.
Vance
====== Andrew:
“So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.” Romans 7:4 (NIV)
I had not realised before that this is so clear cut – we died to the law.
It’s over as far as the law is concerned. We are free to life the new life of the Spirit with all its new risks and challenges.
So, I guess we have to avoid trying to rebuild old comfort zones by rebuilding systems of the law.
Andrew
====== Johnnie:
Can anyone enlighten me regarding the sea…
Does that represent our sins being washed away and remembered no more?
The sea of forgetfulness?
Anyone?
Johnnie
======= John:
Johnnie: In most sources, “sea” is just referred to as used for priest’s cleansing. Symbolically being pure before God????
Did find something else that may help FWIW.
In Rabbinical litereature –
The sea represented the world; the ten ells of diameter corresponded to the ten Sefirot; and it was round at the top (according to the Talmud passage above cited) as the heavens are round. The depth of the sea was five ells, corresponding to the distance of five hundred years’ journey between heaven and earth (compare Ḥag. 13a). The band of thirty ells around it corresponded to the Ten Commandments, to the ten words of God at the creation of the world, and to the ten Sefirot: for the world can exist only when the Ten Commandments are observed; and the ten Sefirot as well as the ten words of God were the instruments of the Creation. The two rows of colocynths (knops) below the rim were symbolic of the sun and the moon, while the twelve oxen on which the sea rested represented the zodiac (“mazzalot”). It contained 2,000 baths (cubic measures), for the world will sustain him who keeps the Torah, which was created 2,000 years before the world.
Pauls spent Chapter 6 getting into “sanctification”.
“Sanctification is the ability of God to make sinners actually righteous.”
Sanctification will not be complete until we get to heaven , but it can and should start now.
Know that the bondage of sin ended. With Belief in Christ we are given a new life (man).
Reckon yourselves the same way God sees you – “Alive to God in Christ Jesus”.
(Exhorting) Yield to God and Obey God as servants who love their master obey – because you want to – this leads to holiness (sanctification) ====================================================== Romans 7:1-13 THE WAY WE ARE NOT TO LIVE
People say – Got it! Now that I am saved, and a new man, and like a bondservant to God – I obey God by going back to obeying the LAW.
No, No, No Paul says, the Law would be “shackles” to a saved soul.
Here is an analogy. Everyone knows under the Law that when a husband dies, the woman can remarry.
You died to the Law through the body of Christ that you may be joined (marry) another – Jesus. In order that we might bear fruit to God.
How? Because in marriage as the Bride you will submit (obey) Jesus and He will love you. BTW this new husband (Jesus) will never die – it is eternal marriage.
Serving in the new way of the Spirit in that we serve (yield, obey) our new husband – Christ.
NOTE: Some denominations teach that this passage teaches no divorce until death. I disagree. Paul is teaching on condemnation, solution, justifcation, sanctification etc. This is just an analogy, not a literal teaching of marriage. I bring this up because you may have or may in the future run into this argument about divorce. ====================================================== People think – Got it. We died to sin. We died to Law. Wait a minute – doesn’t that make the Law bad?
No, No, No, Paul says.
[Digression] Psalm 19:7-10 7The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. NIV
Ok. I get that the Law sets up boundries and that “sin” appeals to our corrupt nature, and we fall for the message · Because sin falsely promises satisfaction
· Because sin falsely claims an adequate excuse
· Because sin falsely promises an escape from punishment
What I don’t get is vs 9 and 10. Unless it is like Bob Deffingbaugh says – Paul speaking in Adam (as the ancestor). I read some commentaries and Vance’s explanation – and I still feel odd about these verses. Anyone else have thoughts?
Regardless our struggle is with our nature and sin – not the Law. In vs. 11 it talks about sin “seizing the opportunity” – opportunity in its root is a military term meaning “base of operations”. Sin is attacking us. We succomb. The Law just points this out.
Sin “becomes more sinful” in light of the law in two ways. First, sin becomes exceedingly sinful through contrast with the law. Second, sin becomes exceedingly sinful because the law provokes its evil nature. – David Guzik
Exceedingly sinful: “Why didn’t he say, ‘exceeding black,’ or ‘exceeding horrible,’ or ‘exceedingly deadly’? Why, because there is nothing in the world so bad as sin. When he wanted to use the very worst word he could find: to call sin by, he called it by its own name, and reiterated it: ‘sin,’ ‘exceeding sinful.’ ” (Spurgeon)
John
====== Brandie:
That song is awesome and true. Too bad we all can’t see it that way. I know when my poppa passed away I looked at life differently and everything was so beautiful to me. It still is. Amazing how beautiful life is and sometimes taken for granted.
Proverbs 19:22 is very good. In my bible study we are doing on Wed. mornings at church it is called cultivating contentment and it talks about being honest and being content. That we should be content with whatever we have in life. Plain and simple. I have worked on being honest with everyone this week even with my nana being in the hospital and it has worked well with me. I have felt peaceful.
Brandie
======= Alice:
The music is a delightful addition to this study. I enjoy them very much. Thanks for being so faithful.
Alice
====== Janice:
Remember: Christ is us is the CERTAIN, GUARANTEED hope of glory!… and PRAISE increases the substance of GLORY of Jesus IN and THROUGH us ! thank you vance..and remeber he wants us to love….and be forgiving
Janice
====== Billy:
Thanks Mike for all the great images that you provide they really are helpful !! God Bless all the readers and have a great day.
Billy
====== Alan:
“King of Righteousness” I’m reading a book on the names of Jesus, ” He shall be Called” by Robert J. Morgan. A snippet from yesterday’s reading hit me real hard. “I have a King who will never embarrass or disappoint me…But even better He wants to impute His Righteousness to me, so that in His sight I am just as righteous as the King of Righteousness…I’m a broken sinner. I’ve created my own little scandals. Moral failure has tarnished my life. I cannot help breaking my promises. BUT the King transferred my sins to His account while, at the same time transferring His Righteousness to my account. This Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.{Romans 3:22-25 NIV] Why did He do this for us? Drop the last letter from King and you have the answer. We are made in His image, we are His kin…Think of Him as your Righteousness. As Steve Brown would say, “I’m in” Thanks, In His grace, Alan
====== Jane:
This Devo below ties in with Roman 7:7 . We have freedom in Christ but we won’t be chasing things of this earth that bog us down!! If we let God carry our baggage and walk in faith Without Covetousness – Hebrews 13:5 INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS
A man’s conversation should consistently exhibit a high level of individual contentment. Defining conversation and covetousness will help to better understand Hebrews 13:5 . A man’s conversation in the Bible sometimes refers to more than the words he speaks. It frequently refers to his entire way of life. One who lives covetously desires things not belonging to him. The Bible stresses the seriousness of covetousness by connecting it to the sin of idolatry. Combining these two simple truths shows that man should never live his life chasing after things not belonging to him. Why is it so important for a Christian to live a life of contentment? Since God promises to never leave or forsake His own, a discontented Christian lacks a trust in His Creator. Understanding these simple truths should bring great contentment to the believer.
Jane
====== Robert:
Vance; Thanks for the new tool. THE BLUE LETTER BIBLE. It looks like a great resource. I like your insight into “glory” too.
Robert
====== Dee:
I loved your reflection Vance!!
2nd Chronicles..the budding and the water basins are magnificent..hard to imagine but very elaborate . Detailed..God is a God of details and imagination.
Romans..we get q good briefing on good, law and sin. Just bec a use something is a law doesn’t mean it’s bad..the well being of us isn’t a bad thing but something God gave to us not punishing us..as a blessing not a curse
Psalm sometime in my desperation I cry out for answers and sometimes I am so Impatient to get what took some ye a rs to build. I hope I answer my call well and when I call on him, he is listening
Proverbs loyalty is an attraction. I pray I am loyal always not just to God but to his people
Dee
===== Stacey:
Thank you for the pictures you post. I could never imagine the Sea from reading. I greatly appreciate that I now have an idea of what it looks like. God bless Stacey
Old Testament – Today we begin the book of Second Chronicles! Are you ready to read about the reign of King Solomon? Let’s go!
~Second Chronicles~ Author: Unknown Date: Fifth century B.C. Content: Second Chronicles contains the history of Judah that was begun in First Chronicles. It deals with the glory of Solomon’s reign, with a special emphasis being placed upon the glory of the temple. This emphasis is made because a priest point of view pervades the book. The remaining kings of Judah are discussed, with a stress upon how the religious affairs of the nation were going. Hezekiah is given mention because during his reign an extended revival took place. The destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people to Babylon are described, and the book ends with the Persian king’s decree to let the people return home. Theme: Judah’s history is described from a religious point of view in this book. The righteous kings are commented on and the evil kings are named so that all can see who is responsible for the rise and fall of the nation. The religious leaders and their ultimate failure to remain true to God added to the sin of Judah – until God allowed his own chosen people to plunge themselves into ruin, as an example for all time that God will not tolerate sin. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 7-8) More commentary on Second Chronicles is at this link.
Today in 2 Chronicles chapter 1 we read about King Solomon asking for wisdom and knowledge from God. In verse 7 we read these words from God to Solomon – “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” In verse 10 we will read this amazing response from Solomon to God: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” Solomon could have asked God for anything – more wealth, more power, more strength, more whatever, but he simply asked for wisdom and knowledge. Why? Because he wanted to lead God’s people well and distinguish between right and wrong. Amazing. How would you or I answer this question today? What if God came to you today and said the same thing to you from verse 5 – “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” What would you ask for? Would you ask for Wisdom? Would you ask for Knowledge? If so, God offers these to you and me right now. Where? I believe wisdom and knowledge is offered to us through study of the Bible and by living in a loving and right relationship with God. We can receive the gift of God’s wisdom today! If we would answer this question from God differently – maybe wanting more money, or power, or fame, or whatever – do you think we might forfeit gaining wisdom? So, again, what if God were to say to you right now this same statement he said to Solomon? “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” What do you ask for? Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of Solomon praying to God for wisdom:
New Testament – Today in Romans chapter 6 verses 17 & 18 we read: “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Do you believe that you were ever a slave to sin? Is it possible that you are still a slave to sin now? How can you be freed from being a slave to sin? Or, better yet, Who do you think can free you from being a slave to sin? Are you wholeheartedly obeying the teaching to which you have been entrusted? Where can you consistently find the teaching to which you have been entrusted? Do you consider yourself a slave to righteousness? Do you like the idea of being a slave to righteousness?
Today we read Romans 6:23! I pray that this is a verse of Scripture that you have truly memorized, meditated upon, and fully understand and agree with:
Bible.org’s fantastic commentaries on today’s Romans readings titled “An End to the Reign of Death” is at this link and “The Stupidity of Sin” is at this link.
Psalms – Today we read Psalm 16, which I absolutely love! I could probably share with you some thoughts on just about every verse in this Psalm. Verse 1 tells us: “Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.” Do you believe that God will keep you safe if you come to Him for refuge? And verse 2 is so true: “I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! All the good things I have are from you.”” Everything good thing in our life – absolutely everything good thing in our life – comes from God. Do you believe this? Verse 3 reminds me to rejoice for and pray for our pastors and spiritual mentors: “The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!” Do you appreciate your pastors / ministers / priests and spiritual mentors? And do you appreciate other godly people you know too? Are they true heroes? Do you pray for these folks regularly? If not, will you?
And verse 11 is a powerful closing to this Psalm 16 and perhaps a prayer for us to pray fervently: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Do you want to be shown the way of life from God? Do you want to be granted the joy of God’s presence? Do you want the pleasure of living with God forever? Have you prayed to God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit to give you these things in your life? Will you pray this prayer?
Proverbs – Proverbs 19 verse 21 is so true : “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” I am so amazed by how God’s purpose continues to steer the course of my life – tossing to the side my frivolous plans that were not part of His purpose. I think we do well to realize that God absolutely has a purpose for our lives – and that we very likely do not know what it is. 🙂 Well, that’s not always true. I do think many of us have a good indication of what God’s purpose is for our lives. But I think perhaps more of us do not. And that’s okay. I believe that if we stay close to God in a loving relationship and seek to live godly lives, God’s purpose can’t help but take over the course of our life. Without our even realizing it at times. There was that movie several years back called Mr. Holland’s Opus, where the lead character realized that “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” I submit that “God’s purpose is what happens if you are seeking after Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” Let us pray that God is the Master Planner in our life today! And let us also pray that God will reveal to us if we are ignoring His plans for us in any way and if we are perhaps in danger of planning to build a “tower of Babel” in our life in the place of God…
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Anne Wilson’s song “My Jesus:”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you truly understand that the wages of sin is death. Pray that you also truly know that through a saving faith in Jesus, your sins have been forgiven and that the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus. Pray for everyone you know to come to know this as well. Pray for revival in your city.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS: (our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
II Chronicles 1-3:17
O, to be like Solomon and have the sense to ask God for His Wisdom in each and every situation. Then once I was given the Wisdom because I’ve asked for it to use that Wisdom wisely. I know that it is God’s desire for everyone to seek Him and ask for wisdom because I’m told to ask,
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6)
Romans 6:1-23
16 Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.
Taking responsibility for the choices we make is a hard thing to do. But Paul says we will become slaves to our choices. In the USA it seems that there are a lot of people blaming everyone else for the choices they have made instead of them blaming the person who looks back at them while they stand in front of the mirror. What I must do is make sure I’m not playing the same “Blame Game” I’m accusing many people of doing.
Psalm 16:1-11
David certainly knew who is God was. He knew his attributes His character; His ways in order to write a Psalm that speaks to and encompass all the fears, joys, hopes and longings we humans have.
Proverbs 19:20-21
21You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
I’ve heard it said that God will never go against anyone’s will but he sure knows how to make you willing, just ask Jonah.
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Kurt:
The Proverbs today really hit me! “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Wow! Just goes to show that no matter how much we plan, how much we desire for ourselves/our lives, or how much control we think we have, God’s plans will come true in the end.
Kurt
====== Roslyn:
“Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.” Praying and asking God for safety has always been a part of my daily prayer. And I know full well that God has always kept me and my loved ones SAFE in His LOVE.
Last Tuesday I was driving to the university to attend an ongoing technology seminar (I’m trying to attend as many of the sessions as I can before I leave for vacation on July 28th to CA-Alaska-WA) when all of a sudden I saw a car coming right at me from the opposite direction. The driver was obviously trying to overtake 2 or 3 cars in front of him to get to the light and he got into my lane. Right that very moment, I knew that God took over the whole situation for I calmly swerved to the right to move out of the way and the driver barely missed me. It was a good thing, too, that there was no car to my right. I felt my heart “jump out” of my body as I continued to drive trying to calm myself down. I knew that if the car hit me there was no way I could have survived for the driver was going full speed. The collision could have been front and back as there was another car right behind me. Yes, I thank God for having kept me safe, and I thank Him even more for giving me the opportunity to continue lving my life in FAITH and in LOVE… “You are my Master! All the good things I have are from you.” I thank God for the boundless gifts in my life… Such gifts have overshadowed the pains that have come my way, and they have in fact strengthened my FAITH in Him. Truly, “every good and perfect gift comes from You. Father of Lights.” AMEN.
Roslyn
====== Ramona:
2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17
Things that caught my eye and attention for the very first time after reading this countless of times.
Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this Your people who are so great? God replied to Solomon, Because this was in your heart and you have not asked for riches, possessions, honor, and glory, or the life of your foes, or even for long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may rule and judge My people over whom I have made you king, Wisdom and knowledge are granted you. And I will give you riches, possessions, honor, and glory, such as none of the kings had before you, and none after you shall have their equal. (2 Chronicles 1:10-12 AMP)
In a discussion of Solomon, almost everyone agrees that Solomon was wise for asking for wisdom from God. But I realize it is one thing to ask for wisdom and get it, just like any other thing one might ask for; however, receiving a gift, item, thing doesn’t mean one will even use what was given or even use it wisely. Much of the Book of Proverbs is attributed to Solomon; yet the man did not even apply to himself his own words of wisdom.
The natural progression of my thoughts led me to examine my use of the things God has so richly blessed me. Do I receive from God and not use it for the purpose God gave it to me to use? Do I show off my gifts to razzle dazzle folks yet not do anything of substance with it?
Speaking of wisdom the wisdom given to Solomon was not as great as the Wisdom of God. Did Solomon believe his own press because of what was given to him by God? What he had belonged to God anyway. Do we think we are all that and a bag of chips with a coke thrown in on the side because of things given to us by God that we not only didn’t earn we couldn’t earn no matter how hard we try. Have I marveled at how wise Solomon was and forgotten to marvel at the God who gave him that wisdom?
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Joyce:
Mike and everyone, Regarding the passage in Romans today, this sermon helps me to understand, 4/13/2011 by Charles Henrickson “Present Yourselves to God” (Romans 6:12-23) share an excerpt from it: “Under New Ownership. Have you ever seen that sign on a storefront? It means that the business has been bought out by a new owner, that the old owner is no longer in charge. And the new owner may have a different way that he wants to run the business… Ever since your baptism, you have belonged to a new owner–to God, who purchased and won you with the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ. And in your baptism, you were given the gift of the Holy Spirit, to act as a sort of internal guidance system, to redirect your life, to trust in God and to do the will of God from a happy and willing heart. You are under new ownership now. You belong to God.” Romans 6:14, 16 Amp. Bible 14 For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God’s favor and mercy]. 16 Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)? Father, may You in Your mercy open our eyes, that we may see that we are no longer slaves of sin, which leads to death; but that by the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, we could continually surrender ourselves to You, happily and willingly, which leads to righteousness. We humbly ask for Your help daily, hourly. in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
Sincerely, Joyce
====== Alan:
You reminded me of the book, The man in the mirror by Patrick Morley. A good book for any man struggling with sin. Thanks for the reminder
Alan
====== Robert:
2 Chronicles
I believe I am going to gain some important insights and a new hope for a time such as this. We all have all just returned from a foreign country. so to speak. The end of Covid is here and now people are adjusting to a new life. Just like Chronicles was written to those refugees who returned from Babylon, we are experiencing the same questions about our future. The same question God puts before me, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you”. My answer is for the wisdom and knowledge to move into the future. Lead my family, friends, and community towards healing and see the past in a new light. I am excited to see what is going to happen!
Psalm 16:3
I truly believe in Mike’s attitude that it is important we listen and pray for our pastors at this time too. Their leadership right now is imperative to how we proceed in the following months.
In our church they have embraced the wonderful scripture from 2 Chronicles 7:14, “ If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, than will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Let us hope it is not in the interest of planning to build a tower of Babel or as Ramona suggests, doing a Jonah.
Robert
======= Dee:
I pray to be wise this year. I am given leadership responsibilities. And with greater responsibilities is greater challenges and expectancy. I just pray I govern and advise my team correctly. Solomon sure knew he needed to ask foe that because it was the most important to have.
Romans: the wages of sin is death. Sin vs righteousness in this chapter. The way in which to be a Christian is laid out . First and foremost we have to seek the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Love him and serve him and we will be fine.
Psalm 16 remi ds me of Natalie Grant’s song I will not be moved..I will stumble, I will fall down but I will not be moved. I will make mistakes I will have heartaches but I will not be moved. Upon this solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand. …anyway. stay strong in your faith. Amen
Proverbs..God’s will vs yours. In the end God’s will will manifest. It may take longer for whatever obstacle you try to sway but God’s will is going to happen.
Dee
====== John:
Romans 6: Sanctification
Paul made the case for the condemnation of man, provided God’s solution to this problem – Righteousness Through Faith = Justification. Then Paul said it is not new idea but rooted in OT, giving examples of Abraham/David. Paul next talked about the benefits of Salvation, and why the solution was Christ. Now Paul turns to sanctification.
What is Sanctification?
Justification is God declaring sinners Righteous through Faith in Christ. Sanctification is the ability of God to make sinners actually righteous.
Justification is an act; sanctification is a work. Justification is a means; sanctification is the end. Justification is for us; sanctification is in us. Justification declares the sinner righteous; sanctification makes the sinner righteous. Justification removes the guilt and penalty of sin; Sanctification removes the growth and power of sin. – J. Vernon McGee
Sanctification will not be complete until we are in heaven, but the process starts at the moment of salvation. Paul is in his encouraging and exhorting stage – just like when he revisited the churches he planted. They were already saved, why bother? – because salvation goes beyond “fire insurance” – Paul explains that in chapter 6. =================================================================================== Four parts to this chapter – Knowing, Reckoning, Yielding, Obedience
KNOWING In vs. 1 Paul addresses the idea of cheap Grace. Work-based religions often comment that, ‘righteousness through faith is a free ticket to sin. You can keep on sinning (doing what you want), because God will keep forgiving you and piling on more grace. That is not right’.
This is true – “That is not right”, but not for the reasons they think. Being saved is not a free ticket to sin, because once saved a Christian wants to be obedient and serve God. Does not mean we do not sin, but it is a far cry from a “free ticket to sin”.
Here is an extreme example of this kind of thinking:
“In the early part of the century, the Russian monk Gregory Rasputin taught and lived the idea of salvation through repeated experiences of sin and repentance. He believed that because those who sin the most require the most forgiveness, a sinner who continues to sin with abandon enjoys more of God’s grace (when he repents for the moment) than the ordinary sinner. Therefore, Rasputin lived in notorious sin, and taught that this was the way to salvation. This is an extreme example of the idea behind Paul’s question “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” – David Guzik
Paul says – No! We died to sin. Through faith in Christ we abide in Him, and He in us. When Jesus died for our sins – the bondage of sin or sin’s reign in our bodies was defeated for those that accept the gift. When Jesus was resurrected – those that believe in Him were given a new life (a new man).
2Cor5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” NIV
Four times Paul repeats the concept of the “new man” in vs. 4-10. Seems like Paul wants them to know this concept.
This does not mean we, as Christians, will not sin. We may have the “inner” new man, but we still have the “flesh”. Christians are tempted to sin, and do sin. But sin does not rule over us any more – we should not habitually sin. With the “new man” led by the Holy Spirit, we should look to God for the Grace to resist the temptations of the flesh. Now, when we succumb to sin, we become convicted by the Holy Spirit, and should seek forgiveness and a restoration of Fellowship with God.
Before I was saved, I sinned with impunity and either rationalized it or gave it not a “second thought”. Now, when I sin, I get convicted by Holy Spirit – conscience if you will – and I am led to make amends, ask for forgiveness when possible to people I hurt by my sin, and go to God in prayer. Before salvation for 48 years – this “conscience” (Holy Spirit) at least in my adult life did not exist in me. =================================================================================== Reckoning
“..count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
God sees you this way – YOU should now also see yourself this way. ================================================================================== Yielding
Sin does not reign in your body anymore, but it (Satan, “flesh”, ways of the world) will try.
Think of it as a two roads, one each running through parallel fields. You have been traveling down the road of “sin”. You are in Satan’s field. You hear and feel all the temptations, and you walk merrily along in your humanness – sinning. Then through grace and by faith, you decide to change roads. You are now a “new man” walking God’s way through God’s pasture. Yet, at times – you still hear and feel the temptations of the other road calling to you from across the way. Sometimes you succumb – I.e. stumble. You don’t stumble because of potholes in the road – you stumble over your own two feet. The idea of Christian maturity (sanctification process) is that if you stay in prayer, God’s Word, and worship – the stumbling should decrease. However it will not be eliminated until we reach Heaven.
As Christians, we saw in last chapter, we have continuing and ongoing access to God’s Grace. Paul is saying (vs. 12-14) yield to God. Don’t yield to temptation, but offer yourselves up to God. Your body, your body parts – pray to him, offer your body as an instrument (alternate translation: weapon) of righteousness. Grace did not stop on the Cross, utilize this endless resource to fight temptation. From personal experience: it works, and when I sin, it is usually because I do not ask God for help. ================================================================================== Obedience
In vs. 15- 20 Paul talks about not being slaves to sin anymore, but slaves to righteousness (i.e. God). Word for slaves is the familiar Gk. “doulos” – bondservant. As a bondservant (figurative), we choose to be with God out of love, we choose to serve him forever, we choose to be loyal and obey. By the way, Paul says we chose to be a bondservant to sin before salvation, only God could provide the grace to break that bond to sin.
“I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh: Paul apologizes for using slavery as an illustration, because it was so degrading and pervasive, and especially because many of his Roman readers were slaves. Yet he knows that this is an illustration that works well with his readers.” – David Guzik
Paul says you used to serve sin, now (exhorting) – Serve righteousness! “Can you imagine? A new job, and the first day on the new job you leave work at lunch time and go to your old job and ask your old boss what he wants you to do. It just isn’t right!” – David Guzik
Paul says, ‘What benefit did you reap when you were a slave to sin?’ “For the wages of sin is death,..”
Now oppose that to being “servants” of God, that through Faith in Christ you have the gift of eternal life, and the benefits lead to holiness (sanctification) – starting here now on earth.
John
====== Vance:
Proverbs 19 (NKJV) 20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. 21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.
NOTE: Thank God for spiritual mentors and people mature in the faith who can lead us and teach us.
Even if there are not mentors around, however, we can still receive instruction from the Lord.
Since the Lord’s counsel is what will stand, it behooves us—me and you—to do the only smart thing and spend whatever time is needed in prayer and fasting until we find out what God’s purpose for us is.
Whether I initially like what God has determined for me, in His will is the only place where I can fulfill my purpose.
The same is true for you.
2 Chronicles 1 (NKJV) 10 Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
NOTE: Here are some excellent cross reference scriptures concerning wisdom.
Exodus 31 (NKJV) 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship
* we can ask for and receive wisdom in our daily work
Psalm 51 (NKJV) 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
* we can and need to ask for purity of heart, and the wisdom which will come from that
Proverbs 1 (NKJV) 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
* may we truly fear the Lord—and have intimacy with Jesus that others can “see and taste” so they can see and feel the wisdom of God.
* May many be brought to the fear of the Lord because of our living testimony
Proverbs 2 (NKJV) 1 My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. 10 When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, 11 Discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you,
* God has sound wisdom IN STORE WAITING TO GIVE those who are upright because of the Lord Jesus and to those who will seek wisdom.
* This is the key: we have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and we have been restored to being sons and daughters of God (John 1:12).
* May we truly delight in the Lord and treasure His commandments. We have access to wisdom from God in that real relationship with Him. When we do, we will be richly rewarded with the greatest blessing!
Proverbs 4 (NKJV) 5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. 9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you.” ~~~
Romans 6 (NKJV) 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
NOTE: I really like these quotes from the article, “The Stupidity of Sin” (Romans 6:12-23) By: Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M.
“Romans 6 teaches us a great deal about sanctification—the lifelong process of spiritual growth which takes place in the life of the Christian, resulting in the glorification of God.”
“By inference, our text teaches us that sanctification is surely not automatic. Once we have been saved, we are not predisposed to always do God’s will. Growth does not occur by accident. The Christian is faced with decisions and choices.”
“While there is boasting and great confidence, there is also agony and struggle. The struggles and tribulations are a part of the process.”
“Our lifestyle must radically change as a result of our union with Him and His work at Calvary. Our sanctification is necessitated by the cross, and it is provided for by the cross.”
“The cross of Christ is the key to our salvation and our sanctification.” ~~~
Psalm 16 (NKJV) 11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
NOTE: May the Lord truly and really be my delight. There I will find my greatest joy.
Out of that joy, the Lord will be able to draw many people to Himself.
Old Testament – We finish up the book of First Chronicles today! Second Chronicles begins tomorrow! Today’s readings are a nice transition from the reign of King David to his son Solomon.
Our readings today set the transition scene nicely in First Chronicles 28 verses 1 & 2: “David summoned all his officials to Jerusalem–the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the twelve army divisions, the other generals and captains, the overseers of the royal property and livestock, the palace officials, the mighty men, and all the other warriors in the kingdom. David rose and stood before them and addressed them as follows: “My brothers and my people!”” One thing that really stood out to me in David’s address to his officials today was his absolute passion for God’s Temple! David was so passionate about making sure the Temple was prepared for his son Solomon to build it. Yes, true, God gave David the plans for the Temple. 🙂 But… what about us in our lives today… does God give us any “plans” for our lives today? What about the Bible? Is the Bible a “plan” for our lives today that we should follow? Below is an image from today’s readings of David addressing his officials:
I love David’s prayer of praise to God today in 1 Chronicles 29 verses 10 through 12: “O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength.” Have you ever prayed a prayer of praise like this to God? Would you like to? You could do so right now!
New Testament – Wow… I don’t know what it is about Romans this year, but it is speaking to me like never before. For those of you that have gone through the One Year Bible multiple times, you probably know how this is. One year a book will kinda sorta speak to you – God’s Word always does. And then the next year a book will just blow you away with its wisdom. Romans is one of those books for me this year… Paul’s words in Romans 5 verses 6 through 8 today spoke to me right away: “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” This is so powerful to think about. Jesus died for us sinners. Think about how selfless this is. Would you die for someone right now? Perhaps your family or maybe someone who is especially good, as this Psalm says. But would you die for a liar, a thief, a cheat, or a hopeless addict? Maybe so… but probably not. Jesus came for us. He died for us. Us thieves. Us liars. Us cheat. Us addicts. He came to save us! Have you been saved by Jesus?
We are now called friends of God as Paul tells us in verse 11: “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God–all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God.” Do you rejoice in knowing that you are a friend of God? If someone were to look at how you interact with others and how you spend your time and your days, would they know that you are a friend of God? Do you often spend quality time with God like you would with any other friend? Do you think spending time with God is more valuable than anything else you could do in this world?
Paul’s contrast of Adam and Jesus in today’s readings is so powerful for us to meditate upon… Verses 18 & 19 stood out to me today: “Yes, Adam’s one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness makes all people right in God’s sight and gives them life. Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God’s sight.”
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “From the Curse to the Cure” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 15 verses 1 & 2 today are awesome: “Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.” Psalm 15 was written for those that wished to have access to God in his Temple in Jerusalem. However, I do believe that today, through Jesus, anyone can worship God anywhere – in a church or in our homes or wherever we find ourselves. However, I do think there is truth in these Psalm verses in that we can worship God beautifully by living a blameless life (not perfect life – only Jesus was perfect this side of heaven – we will need to confess sins & repent), doing what is right, and speaking the truth from sincere hearts. I do believe these are acts of worship that demonstrate our friendship with God and our growth in becoming more like his son Jesus in our lifetimes. Do you seek to lead a blameless life? Do you seek to do what is right? Do you speak the truth from a sincere heart? Do you seek to worship God in some way each and every day? How?
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 19 verse 19 teaches us today: “Short-tempered people must pay their own penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.” This is an interesting Proverb to think about. What it says to me is that sometimes people can only learn things on their own. They have to make their own mistakes. Pay their own penalty. And then they’ll learn. If we don’t let them go through this process, and we “rescue them” once, we’ll have to rescue them again. Interesting to consider this in light of verse 18: “Discipline your children while there is hope. If you don’t, you will ruin their lives.” This verse to me indicates that we can actually “rescue” people with godly discipline early in their lives. We can “rescue” our children through godly discipline and save them much ruin later in their lives. Do you agree with both of these Proverbs? Do you see the wisdom in godly discipline for our children? Do you think this graph below shows how godly discipline can both send people on the upward road and also save people from ultimate ruin?
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the Matt Maher song “Alive Again.” Here is a great live version from Matt:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week:“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you know the full expanse of God’s love for you and the full cost Jesus paid for your sins on the Cross. Pray that you know that while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you. Pray that you have been saved from your sins through saving faith in Jesus.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS: (our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= John:
Romans 5:6-21
Paul says this all happened at the right time (due time). In the short term how many times in the gospel did it say the ‘hour had not yet come’. There was a reason Christ did not come at Mt. Sinai, and a reason he did not come in 2006, but when he did some 2,000 years ago.
“It was in God’s time – when all the conditions were right – I am in awe of how complex the timing really was: think of it as a play on Broadway. All the technology of the sets, the climate of receptiveness to the material, the right actors, the media, the critics – all had to be in place to perform the greatest PLAY of all time, and make it known.
The world was prepared spiritually, economically, linguistically, politically, philosophically and geographically for the coming of Jesus and the spread of the Gospel. “The Scripture everywhere speaks of a certain season or hour assigned for the death of Christ: see Matthew 26:45; John 8:20; John 12:27; John 17:1.” (Poole)
vs. 8b “..While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
In early Romans God’s wrath was explained against unrighteous and self-righteous man(kind). God hates sin. That was made abundantly clear.
The demonstration of God’s love isn’t so much in that Jesus died, but in whom Jesus died for – undeserving sinners and rebels against Him. – David Guzik
Five times in vs 9-11 Paul say in various ways it is “through Jesus” that it is all done. Justifiacation, reconciliation, saved from wrath, saved in life, even rejoicing – it is all through Christ. ====================================================== vs. 12-13 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.” NIV
Some have a real hard time with the concept of sin being passed onto the world through Adam. For those that do not “believe” IN Christ, I don’t blame them – it sounds like “foolishness” to them (as the Bible says). For those that “believe” IN Christ:
“To Paul, Adam was more than a historical individual, the first man; he was also what his name means in Hebrew – ‘humanity.’ The whole of humanity is viewed as having existed at first in Adam.” (Bruce)
“The principle of death was introduced into the world when Adam sinned and it has reigned on earth ever since. Every grave is mute evidence to the spread and reign of sin since the time of Adam.
We may not like the fact that we are made sinners by the work of another man. We may protest, and say, “I want to stand on my own two feet, and not be made a sinner because of the work of another man.” Nevertheless, it is fair to be made righteous by the work of another man only if we are also made sinners by the work of another man. If we aren’t made sinners by Adam, then it isn’t fair for us to be made righteous by Jesus.” – David Guzik
The last best explains it to me. If we can accept and understand Christ, then we must realize Adam is the source of the “broken relationship” with God that Christ came to restore. Both Adam and Jesus were completely sinless men from the beginning, and both of them did things that had consequences for all mankind. One man broke it, one man fixed it.
I understand Vs. 13 to be that sin was in the world as Paul said in first chapter, and man is condemned for that reason. But the sins of man before the Law were not put on his account. That is they would not be used in his judgment (level of punishment). ====================================================== In vs. 15-19 Paul five times compared Adam’s act with Jesus’ sacrifice: trespass/grace, condemnation/justification, death/life(2), disobediance/obediance.
“It is staggering to think of how totally death has reigned under Adam. Everyone who is born dies – the mortality rate is 100%. No one survives. When a baby is born, it isn’t a question of whether the baby will live or die – they will most certainly die; the only question is when. We think of this world as the land of the living, but it is really the land of the dying, and the billions of human bodies cast into the earth over the centuries proves this. But Paul says that the reign of life through Jesus is much more certain. The believer’s reign in life through Jesus is more certain than death or taxes!
Again, someone may object: “But I never chose to have Adam represent me.” Of course you did! You identified yourself with Adam with the first sin you ever committed. It is absolutely true that we were born into our identification with Adam, but we also choose it with our individual acts of sin.” – David Guzik
Vs. 18 is sometimes “lifted” to teach “universalism” – all are saved due to the cross. All go to heaven. This is again why Bible needs to be understood in context, and not verses in isolation. 1) Universalism is contradictary to Paul’s overall teaching. 2) In other verses here in this section Paul talks about the gift being to “many” and those who “received”. 3)In this verse “justification for life (as opposed to condemnation)” IS for all men. But Paul clearly taught leading up to these verses that this justification (imputed righteousness) is through faith. So while it is available to all, it has to be received by faith. ====================================================== vs.20 “The law was added so that the trespass might increase.”
The law makes me sin more – but not because there is anything wrong in the law, only because there is something deeply wrong in the human condition. – David Guzik
Have posted before the Law is God’s standard – a very high standard – that man could not live up to in life. It should be so obvious to any followers of the Law that they are sinners. Knowing one is not just a sinner , but a great sinner – should make people more receptive to Paul’s message of God’s gospel.
“just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
John
====== Sammy:
How sad to read David’s words which acknowledged that even though he had great passion in his heart to prepare a home for the Ark of the Covenant, he was denied: “King David rose to his feet and said: Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it. But God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.”
How much more are we reminded of Moses, a man who talked face-to-face with God; yet, he was denied his passion: entering into the promise land, because of disobedience.
If these great men of God can be denied their hearts desire, how diligent should we be that we not miss God’s blessing through our disobedience!
Just a thought!
Sammy
======= Ramona:
>>”Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.” NIV Some have a real hard time with the concept of sin being passed onto the world through Adam. For those that do not “believe” IN Christ, I don’t blame them – it sounds like “foolishness” to them (as the Bible says). For those that “believe” IN Christ: >>
John has brought up something that many people have problems with, Adam passing on to man his sin. I have had problems understanding why but I have learned that just because I haven’t grasped a concept doesn’t make it any less not true. Although I had accepted this, today I have had a revelation as to why, and possibly, how Adam passed on his sin to us like a virus or bacteria. (Note: Revelation is only revelation when it is revelation to you)
Sin is an offence, a trespass and in order to offend or trespass, specifically God rules and regulations, all one must do is not do what He has said.
And out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight or to be desired–good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life also in the center of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of [the difference between] good and evil and blessing and calamity. [Rev. 2:7; 22:14, 19.] (Genesis 2:9 AMP)
Adam broke the command God had given (Note God addressed both him and the woman as Adam) when he/they ate and death entered the world. Death is an offence to God because; “In the Beginning …” death was not an issue. Man was created to live eternally so even if someone is very, very good and doesn’t do anything that we call sin, in God’s economy we sin the moment we are born because our body immediately marches toward death and disease, sin.
We gradate sin; we have big sins, little sins and inbetween sins but to God sin is sin.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23 KJV)
And all who depend on the Law [who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals] are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the Book of the Law and to practice them. [Deut. 27:26.] (Galatians 3:10 AMP)
For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 AMP)
Note the above does not say sins or big sins or especially griveious sins—it just says “sin.”
Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection was to bring us back to the, “In the Beginning …” state.
And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory. [Isa. 25:8.] O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? [Hos. 13:14.] Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57 AMP)
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Roslyn:
You’re right Mike. We can worship God anywhere, anytime…every moment and every simple act becomes an act of worship!
I love my early morning walk in the park—to be able to feel the cool breeze, to inhale the fresh oxygen from the trees, feel the sun as it starts to warm my skin… to think of God and thank Him for the simple gifts and joys of life…what a beautiful way to worship God at the start of day!
Roslyn
====== Laura:
Roslyn,you said: Maybe it’s just me but sometimes I feel that we get so caught up in our complicated way of trying to explain something that we sometimes lose the essence of what we’re trying to convey. Some of us tend to get into this microanalysis of words… and I’m not referring to the etymology of words, that I do understand. Man’s mind tends to complicate things, God doesnt!!! I am inclined to feel the same way you do. I think some people tend to complicate the scriptures and over explain what they are trying to say. I don’t think you can decipher,analize the words and meanings and write a masters thesis based on what you read in your daily study of the bible. I think you need to pray before reading God’s word, and ask God for ways that His word can guide you and lead you. So many people try to over explain, head down too many long rabbit trails and lose what the real meaning and what the message is trying to convey.
It blesses me more to see posts in here that are written in a persons own words, with a few verses from the bible to back up what they are saying. Posts should stick to what the daily lesson is about and explain how God is working in their life and how they have been touched specifically by the word and the “CURRENT” days study. I think we should keep it simple. Simple minds like mine need it that way… 🙂
No matter the circumstance or the trouble or the setback, we have a wonderful and amazing God in Whom we can ALWAYS find rich comfort, strength, hope, joy, and Life! Amen Vance, thanks for posting that.
Ramona, good to see you back. I love reading your posts and it seems you had taken a break for awhile, on vacation possibly? It blesses and encourages me when we can all read the scriptures together and talk about how God is working in each of our lives.
Personal relationships are important, but can hardly be compared to our relationship with Christ. People often fustrate, confuse, anger and disappoint us but Christ remains a constant source of peace. His word is truth. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior. Psalms 25:5 NIV.
David expressed the desire for guidance. How do we recieve God’s guidance? The first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God’s primary guidance system is in the Word, the bible. Psalm 119 tells of the endless knowledge found in God’s word. By reading it and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to percieve God’s direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God, but David asked for direction. Do we do that in our lives? When we are willing to seek God, learn from His word, and obey his commands, then we will recieve His specific guidance.
I am so relieved that I don’t have to be the one to come up with all the answers.
Laura
====== Pat:
I find 1 Chronicles 28:9, “…for the Lord searches all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee, but if thee forsake him, he will cast thee off forever,” to be such powerful scripture! We can appear pious, we can do pious acts, and we can speak pious words, but the Lord searches our hearts and understands our thoughts and it is what lays there that the Lord judges. If God is truly in our hearts and thoughts then God will be there for us. If we use God to portray ourselves as being godly then God is going to reject us. The Lord is to be worshipped – not used for our own benefit! We need to constantly seek out our Lord and we need to constantly examine our hearts and thoughts to make sure they are in line with God’s plans for our lives.
God Bless! Pat
====== Patricia:
Like you, Romans is speaking to me like never before.
Patricia
======= Melanie:
One thing that I got out of todays reading is from 1 Chron 28:20 Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God – my God – will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. Although this is directed at Solomon for the building of the temple, I think this is true pf whatever the Lord calls us to do in life. All of our lives.
Melanie
====== John:
Romans 5:6-21
5:8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
If you go back to Romans 4:24 up until this verse and substitute “believers” in for every pronoun: we, us, and our – I expect you will see that in these verses Paul is talking to believers.
In the next two verses Paul uses an argument of the lesser to the greater using the Greek phrase “much more”. Paul is going to state that believers will not experiance God’s wrath (anger) against sin.
vs.9 If God loved us when we were sinners and enemies of God and yet gave us the grace to come to faith and be justified by the blood of Christ,
How much more, to what greater extant, isn’t it far more certain,
That as children of God (believers) the Fathers love will save us from His wrath.
That would be His wrath now (against the unrighteous) in that we are not given over to a depraved mind, but instead are given the Holy spirit to guide our lives. That at the Tribulation we will not experiance God’s wrath (we will be taken out of the picture), and at judgment we will not be condemned.
2) If when we were God’s enemies He loved us enough to allow us to be reconciled by Jesus’ death,
how much more, to what greater extant, isn’t it far more certain,
That as children of God and co-heirs to heaven we will be saved (from wrath)through the resurrected Christ – our mediator and High Priest in Heaven. By His death we were atoned, by his resurrection we are redemmed.
If He went to all that trouble for us when we were enemies, why would God not protect us when we are His children – as any father would, only God much more so being the perfect Father.
John
====== John:
Romans 5:6-21
Comparison of Adam and Jesus.
Rom 5:12-19 are very difficult passages. Some people are going to have problems understanding the context and the message. If there are problems it will probably be in the areas of Adam as the source of our sin nature, and the use of the words “all” and “many”.
Let’s give it a go, and as you will see my viewpoint is somewhat different from Ramona’s view. ================================================================================= Adam and Sin Nature
While it is true that from Adams’s disobediance everything got broken: universe, world, and mankind. Through Adam death entered into the world. Death entered into the world by Adam’s sin, and we all have a sin nature.
But that is not the issue here in comparing Adam to Jesus. Paul made five comparisons and the number of times he compared Adam to Christ should tell you it is important. Why?
There is a greater truth than any individual sin in man. We are globally condemned. Go back to my “story time” yesterday. The issue at the trial was rebellion. By disobeying God Adam was in rebellion, and the judgment was on rebellion exemplified by the sin, BUT the condemnation was on all mankind for “REBELLION”. Since everyone can be traced back to Adam – just like the whole village was condemned yesterday. Adam’s family is condemned then and now. In other words: Because of Adams sin condemnation was imputed (put on our account)on mankind. There is a global condemnation of mankind because of rebellion from the head (Adam).
Why is this important?
The parallel Paul wants us to see and rejoice in is that:
-just as Adam’s sin is imputed to us because we were in him, -so Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us because we are in him.
The comparison would not be valid if imputing were not on both sides of the comparison. ================================================================================= The problem for some:
Some may not think Adam is literal, or that there are many origins of man through evolution. That is a problem. How you would resolve these verses to make the Bible consistent is beyond me.
I will just point out that there is no argument that the text in Gen1:27 in the Hebrew says God created man and female (both singular). Jesus cited Gen 1:27 in Matt 19:4 and the Greek is also not in question – it is male and female (singular). So the real question is: is God’s Word true?????
So, -just as Adam’s sin is imputed to us because we were in him, -so Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us because we are in him.
“Just as it is not at root the personal sinning of those in Adam that brought their condemnation, so it is not at root the personal goodness of those who are in Christ that brings their justification.” [John Piper]
In additon Paul is emphasing the superiority of God’s work in Christ to Adam’s transgression and condemnation of mankind.
We know Christ is superior as He is God, and Adam is man. But Pauls point is that the “WORK” of God is vastly superior to the transgtression committed by Adam and resultant condemnation.
That is because God’s purpose in all this is to be glorified, and He si glorified by His grace on this issue against the backdrop of judgment.
Vs.15 one sin caused global condemnation of mankind, from which arose much sin, and God’s grace was enough for all that sn but overflowed on those who believe after they were justified. He did not just forgive, God redeems and sanctifies His children.
The point in the verses 15 – 19 is God’s grace outstrips the judgment.
How?
“Well, condemnation is a natural and fitting response to transgression. But justification is not a natural or fitting response to a transgression, let alone many transgressions. So there are at least two things that grace has to overcome for justification to exist: One is that transgression calls for condemnation; and the other is that many transgressions call for great condemnation. What makes God’s grace shine in this verse is that it triumphs over both obstacles. How? By providing a substitute righteousness. Because Christ was righteous for us, God can now justify us in spite of many transgressions.” [John Piper]
Thus Christ is vastly superior and different to Adam, and the imputed condemnation is taken care of by the imputed righteousness provided by Jesus.
John
======= John:
Romans 5:6-21
Comparison of Adam and Jesus. [Continued]
Oh yes, the other problem some may have is the use of “all” or “many”. In the verses. One could argue that by the use of these English words God will save every single person on the planet that has ever lived. Is that correct? Let’s see.
The word “all” in Greek is rooted in the Greek word “pas”. It could mean: – every single one. – all kinds of people – Good sub-group (believers) – bad sub-group (unrighteous).
This leaves the translation to English up in the air. How do you tell what is meant? By the context of surrounding passages. Same with “many”.
Ex. from vs. 12: in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
All here means everyone. We know everyone dies, and Paul has already said no one is righteous – not one.
Ex. Vs 15 “..For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
Who are the many? We know from vs 12 that death came to all men, then many here means “everyone/all”. However, did the grace that overflows to many mean for all (a universal salvation outlook). Earlier Paul taught that belief by faith from grace saves. And in verse 17 it says to “those who receive”. So the “many” here is “believers.
And so on. In these verses “all” or “many” when used with Adam mean everyone/all. When all or many are used in the gift of righteousness through faith, it is by those who receive the gift – those who believe by faith (trust in God).
NOTE: any time a verse is in contention, one should immediately sit down and read the verses above and below the verse in question.
John
====== John:
1 Chronicles 28-29:30
Vs. @8:4-5 God chose. Chose is mentioned four times in these verses. God chose David. God chose Solomon. God chose Israel. God chose us as believers. God chooses. He is sovereign and has a plan.
[Go back to Exodus 6:6-8. The seven “I will’s” of God concerning the rescue, exodus, and redemptionof Israel. Substitute in for the typical Bible symbols, and you will see this is God’s plan for rescue, exodus, and redemption of the believer. God will do it as this whole thing is about God, not us.] ================================================================================= Vs. 28:9
“David’s instructions to Solomon are simple. He tells his son not only to know the Lord, but to serve Him with all your heart, be focused on Him. Make a conscious decision to do these things and you will find true joy. The tragedy is that it took Solomon his whole life to figure out that what his dad said, was true. Solomon thought he would find joy in building projects, books, studies, material possessions, entertainment, but none of these brought him joy. Then, at the end of his life, this is the conclusion he came to: “…Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. We too have the same information as Solomon, may we learn from his mistakes and be obedient to the Lord’s command, for that is where true joy is found. KNOW THE LORD AND SERVE HIM!” http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library/Guglielmo-Joe/Studies/TH/13-1CH/TH1056.HTM
John
====== Wanda:
In today’s reading, the power of one, is what stuck out in my mind. One man, Adam, brought sin into the world and many were affected. One man, Christ, was able to redeem the world through His death/resurrection. Just one does make a difference.
Wanda
====== Reuben:
I think the NKJV gives more of a hopelessness in Prob. 19:18. It says to chasten him while there is hope (for the chastening to be effective), and don’t put your hope in his destruction – waiting too long to chasten until he is seemingly unchangeable and you hope for either you or he be removed in every sense of the word. I see that kind of hopelessness in our increasingly chastening-free world and shudder.
Reuben
====== Ireta:
I especially loved the reading in I Chronicles 28 because it showed me more into the heart of King David. I saw his humility and passion and honesty when it came time for the temple to be built. It was his dream to be the one to build it, yet when the Lord told him that one of his son’s Solomon, was going to do it, King David did not get offended by God’s choice. He recounted God’s favor throughout his life and then even gave of his own treasures to help his son to build the temple! He gave his son the plans and gathered as much of the materials as he could for his son do the work. I saw how unselfish King David was and his flexibility and overall commitment to building the temple of God. Thank you for today’s lesson. It speaks to me!
Ireta
====== Bob:
ROMAN ROAD TO SALVATION. Paul gives us a logical progression. Here are the verses: (NIV)
*Romans 3: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God *Romans 5: 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— *Romans 6: 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. *Romans 5: 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. *Romans 10: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. *Romans 10: 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Joel 2:32)
Bob
====== Pat:
Mike, I’ve read the Bible from cover to cover with you ever since you first started this wonderful ministry. This morning you mentioned how Romans seems to speak differently to you each time you read it. Each year I buy a brand new Bible and underline the verses that stand out to me as I read it and write notes in it. The amazing thing is I can lay the Bibles side by side and never seem to have the same verses underlined.
Pat
====== Dee:
Yay end of another section 1st Chronicles. The Chronicles of one man: David and his era passed and the beginning of Solomons leadership. How fitting.
Roman’s definitely strengthens and resonates within you. God gives you freewill yet He seeks you out f9rbetwrnal life In Roman’s ot says there is none without sin no not one. It’s true..we came and were born into sin yet Jesus gives us that gift to join the righteousness life. Justified by faith.
I love Psalms and David’s intimate moments and crying out to the Lord. It’s beautiful
The proverbs today reminded me of a friend who her son went off to rehab for drugs and every weekend she drives 80 miles to see him and entertain him all over town and it makes you wonder is it really helping him learn from his mistakes and when he gets out and doesn’t have that attention will he seek out negative just to get that again? Hmmm. Many don’t understand tough love and parents don’t know how to bestow it biblically.
Dee
====== Vance:
I Chronicles 28 (NKJV) 9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
NOTE: The Lord searches all hearts and intentions of our thoughts. Note the Holy Spirit speaks “…but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”
God never quickly casts off people as if He is capricious. The verses below reveal God’s mind about this, and this is where God reveals His character.
Exodus 34 (NKJV) 6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
Note: God forgives “iniquity, transgression, and sin”.
Yet, if people still persist in doing wrong without every wanting to change—then God will by no means clear those who wish to remain guilty. He will give them the desire of their heart to do what they want — along with the consequences of that choice.
I Chronicles 28 (NKJV) 20 And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
NOTE: I thank God that He always encourages us to do what is right. He not only calls us, but He equips and encourages us personally in our relationship with the Lord Jesus to do what may seem to be impossible for us.
I Chronicles 29 (NKJV) 3 Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver: 9 Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the LORD; and King David also rejoiced greatly. 16 “O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own. 17 I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You. 18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.
NOTE: Though this certainly could be frightening to some people—God tests each human heart.
Yet, there is comfort in this. Note this: God has “pleasure in uprightness”. Whatever He asks of us, He provides the grace to do what He asks.
I can trust God’s character.
Surely this is what is meant in what the Holy Spirit prayed through David.
The Holy Spirit still prays this same prayer for us continually today:
“…keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.”
We can ask God, and then trust God, to “fix our hearts toward Him”.
What is grace? I like this acrostic:
G – God’s R – Riches A – At C – Christ’s E – Expense
Christ’s riches of grace include: * deep and rich love of Jesus living and dying as our substitute and representative
* rich forgiveness for sins when we ask
* the equipping and the ability to do what God asks of us
* full support for us as we use the ability God gave us to do His will
Speaking of the book of Romans, the Holy Spirit uses the Apostle Paul to speak to this point of God’s amazing grace:
Romans 5 (NKJV) 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Through the ABUNDANCE of God’s gifts below, we can REIGN in this life: * grace
* gift of righteousness
We can always reign as we abide in – “remain in” – and as we are rooted in the rich and abundant Love of God that covers any and every situation.
Ephesians 3 (Amplified Bible) 16 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. 17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, 18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; 19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
WOW!
May we truly:
– receive and partake “of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit, which is God Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality”!
May truly: – “become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself”!
~~~ No matter the circumstance or the trouble or the setback, we have a wonderful and amazing God in Whom we can ALWAYS find rich comfort, strength, hope, joy, and Life!
Romans 5 (NKJV) 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalm 15 (NKJV) 1 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the LORD; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
NOTE: The changing world of the shifting shadows with no commitment and the so-called “situational ethics” has affected and hurt each one of us in some way or another – directly through a family member or indirectly through others in our community or the world.
How it affects us, of course, depends on each person’s particular history.
In my life—for whatever reason—my mother decided not to stay with my father and I, and she decided to leave instead of learn the courage of commitment.
Yet, this causes me to respect and honor my father even more– for he chose to raise me as a single parent.
PRAY FOR MY FATHER’S SALVATION. I honor him in many ways, and he has many character qualities which are a great example to me.
YET, I MOST WOULD LIKE TO share the Life of Christ with him, so my bond and friendship with my father would be even BETTER.
His birthday is on July 23. Please join me in praying that my father will be BORN-AGAIN on his birthday!
~~~
God admires a person who “says what he means and means what he says”. This is a person who acts on what he says, and people respect him for it.
I like this part of verse 4—that our loving Father honors “he who swears to his own heart and does not change”.
Of course, the Lord Jesus told us it better to not swear or take an oath at all. Simply let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no”.
May the unchanging character of faithfulness to what is right in our lives give people a reason to believe in the true and living God—and His unchanging character.
Having an “unchanging character” may seem “boring” and “dull” to some—but this produces life in us and allows that life to be planted in others.
Finally, may we meditate on the glorious and amazing character of our God.
I was moved by this comment that was made on yesterdays’ reading:
“EXPERIENCE NEW WONDER
We adults need to experience new wonder in order to worship at the level God is calling us to. But in our “old age,” being comfortable usually wins out over being stunned, amazed, and deliciously shocked by what we see and experience.
To deeply worship, we must discover new territories and touch that which is always new and wondrous–the living God. To touch eternity, just for a moment, is full of wonder.”
David always experienced new wonder in who God is. David’s meditation is truly remarkable. May we emulate this good example of David.
I am sure that is why the Holy Spirit chose to put this in the Scripture.
I Chronicles 29 (NKJV) 10 Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said: “ Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 “Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You. 15 For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, as were all our fathers; our days on earth are as a shadow, and without hope. 16 “O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own.
Vance
======= Nancy:
You can raise your children the best you know how. The bottom line is their free will. They sometimes make choices that are contrary to how you raised them. Sin entices and they fall away. I know one day they can return. God is faithful. In regards to Adam and not Eve being held more accountable. Eve was deceived. Adam who had been given the command to not eat from that tree, he willingly & knowingly choose to sin. I wonder what would have happened if he had not sinned and then asked God to forgive Eve, acting as a mediator. Nancy
Old Testament – It is interesting to read about the various gatekeepers, treasurers, officials, military commanders and leaders in today’s First Chronicle readings! In some ways it is sad to read about how well organized things were – knowing that the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and the exile to Babylon is coming up. All of this organization will be destroyed. Why? Because of sin. Sin destroys. Sin kills. So sad. It is true that the lineage from Abraham to Judah to David will of course continue through to Jesus and now to us as spiritual descendants. But, the nation of Israel at this time of First Chronicles, with all of it’s great organization, will later fall because the leaders and people will turn their backs on God in sin. In disobedience. Is there a lesson for us in this today? Do you see the dangers of sin? Of how it can destroy everything you hold dear? Please – flee from sin. Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin. Don’t lose everything you hold dear to something as stupid as sin. Sin will sell you lies and leave you with nothing.
New Testament – Wow. Romans 5 verses 1 & 2 are so true: “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” It is important to note that these verses are talking about more than just a “sense of peace.” They are talking about literal “peace with God”! Peace with God is gifted to us through faith in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection to redeem us from the depravity and consequences of our sin. Have you experienced literal peace with God? I know that we do not always “sense the peace” with God – but I do not think it leaves us once we’ve entered into an eternal right relationship with Jesus. I think we can certainly distract ourselves enough or make ourselves worried or frantic enough that we might think the peace is gone. But eternal peace doesn’t ever leave us. I do think we need to take time to connect with and rediscover Christ’s peace within us each and every day. Reading, prayer and meditation on Scripture are great ways to do this. I have also found getting outdoors and taking a walk in nature helps me connect with Christ’s peace again. What are other ways that you connect with Christ’s peace within you? Please post up in the Comments section below for others to learn from! Thanks!
Verses 3 through 5 are incredible today as well: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us–they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Note that these verses are not saying to rejoice “because” of problems and trials (that would be morbid), but that we can still rejoice even “when we run into” the problems and trials. It is often difficult for us to remember to rejoice when problems and trials come our way – but please do remember these words of Paul in Romans about rejoicing during a time of trial. Remember our readings in Acts? Paul was ridiculed, beaten, jailed and shipwrecked – and yet, he never gave into a defeatist attitude. He kept preaching God’s love! If anyone knows about trials and problems, it is Paul. And he tells us to rejoice through problems and trials because in this we learn to endure. I love that Paul says that character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation! And that this expectation will not disappoint! Do you believe this? Do you have a confident expectation of salvation?
Image above courtesy of stonesoupmusic.org. Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “The Object of Our Faith” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 14 could be seen at first glance as a discouraging Psalm for us as we look at verse 3: “But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!” I think it is important to keep in mind that there is truth in this verse (particularly if we ever start thinking we’re “good” and others around us are not…). But also I think it’s good to keep in mind that this verse was written before Jesus came to the earth. Jesus was perfect. And through His resurrection we are called toward greater holiness and ultimately perfect goodness once we meet Jesus face to face in heaven. Jesus gives us the hope spoken of in the closing of this Psalm in verse 7: “Oh, that salvation would come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel! For when the LORD restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.” Do you recognize the salvation that has come to us? Are you shouting for joy for this salvation? Are you rejoicing!?
Proverbs – Today in Proverbs 19 verse 17 we read – “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” Do you believe that when you are kind to the poor you are actually lending to God? Are you someone who is consistently kind to the poor? Are you kind to the spiritually, emotionally, materially poor that God has brought into your life? Are you also kind to spiritually, emotionally, materially poor that you do not know? Do you believe this kindness is noticed by God? Do you believe it is rewarded?
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Romans reminds me of Jeremy Camp’s song “Healing Hand of God:”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. “ Psalm 14:3 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you know that you are a sinner by nature and choice and have lived corruptly. Pray that you have repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Pray that you are now able to do good in your life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS: (our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
I Chronicles 26:12-27:34
Mike you wrote: “All of this organization will be destroyed. Why? Because of sin. Sin destroys. Sin kills. So sad.”
As soon as I read your statement, I thought of something Paul wrote,
Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace. (Jam 3:15-18 NET.)
God is order, sin is disorder because there is no truth in it. When I read how organized David was in assigning the men of Israel to temple and political duties, I was thinking how our church’s today could take a clue from David. I didn’t see the big picture showing how this order would soon fall apart because God would eventually be taken out of the Temple. The Temple to honor His name would be built, destroyed and rebuilt all because of sin and not because of an expansion project.
Romans 4:13-5:5
13 It is clear, then, that God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was not based on obedience to God’s law, but on the new relationship with God that comes by faith. (Rom 4:13)
The above statement is so very hard for us to grasp. Either we have a hard time receiving a gift, which by its very nature is free, or it is not a gift or we think we are not worthy. It is through Jesus Christ’s righteousness that God sees those who call and believe on the Name of Jesus.
I love how the NLT begins the sixteenth verse, “1So that’s why faith is the key!” If we have faith then we hold the instrument that can unlock all the doors that have been locked because we were in sin.
Psalm 14:1-7
7 Oh, that salvation would come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel! For when the LORD restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice
Sometimes, no most of the time, my means of escape out of a situation that is not pleasing to God is always in front of me but I fail to see it. I can usually see the way out for others but not myself. Didn’t I here something about take the beam out of my eye before I take the speak out …?
Proverbs 19:17
So often before we will lend something to someone, we behave like a lending institution, we weigh the risks. Will I get it back? And if we just give money, we really don’t give we scrutinize how the person uses the money. Sometimes we fail to really listen to what the person is saying, misjudging the need and we wind up giving what they asked for NOT what they need.
As I think on this, I realize I’m guilty of superficial giving. A women with children and no husband may be poor because she not only has no support from her children’s father but she is also lacking in employable skills. Giving her money may help buy groceries, or shoes for her children, but what she really needs is someone to watch her children so she can go to school. My time is what I am unwilling to give, my time and patience to supervise someone else’s’ children. Yikes!
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Beryl:
Romans 5:1-5
Benefits of Salvation
Paul has provided God’s solution (rigteousness through faith) for mankind (as sinners). Paul said it is not a new idea – it was in OT, then gave Abraham/David as proof. In the end of Chapter 4 Paul linked the OT idea of “saving faith” as being the same “saving faith” when we Believe IN Christ.
‘Oh Paul, that is pie in the sky stuff to come by and by – I am interested in the here and now!. I’ll get around to that God stuff some day.’
Paul now talks about the Benefits of Salvation: Peace, Access, Joy, Triumph in Troubles, and the Love of God.
vs 1a “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith..”
The Greek is so precise. “justified” is in aorist passive. It is completed action done to us. We did not justify ourselves – we cannot justify ourselves – we are unrighteous. Justification was done to us by God, through faith.
So what are the benefits? ====================================================== Peace “we have peace with God…”
We don’t have the peace “of God”. We have Peace “with God”. “With” is specifically in the Greek text. That peace is in present indicative, (voice is debated) – regardless it is “continuing and ongoing”.
Peace – Gk. “eirene” a state of national tranquillity a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war.
I guess you can say it is “tranquility”, but that tranquility comes from no longer being at “war” with God. Wait a minute, a person who has not accepted Christ says, ‘I was never at war with God. I am a good person, go to church, I have nothing against God, etc.’
Yes, you are – you may not know it, but regardless God is at war with you.
Some never knew they were out of peace with God, but they were like drivers ignoring the red lights of a police car in their rear-view mirror – they are in trouble even if they don’t know it, and it will soon catch up to them. – David Guzik
James 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. NIV
Paul spent the early parts of Romans talking about God’s judgment and wrath regarding unrighteous and self-righteous man.
“God is at war with the sinner. God is the enemy of the sinner. God fights against the sinner. God is the enemy of sin. God is the enemy of Satan. And by the way, if you’re not a child of God you’re a child of Satan and you belong to Satan’s dominion and God is at war with that dominion. And that’s the point.” http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/45-40.HTM
The good news is when you place your belief, faith, trust in Christ. The war is over. God is your ALLY. As Christians when we battle the temptation of “flesh” or the “ways of the world”, we have God on our side. Sometimes I wonder if I use this powerful ally enough in my fights with temptation. ====================================================== Access “..gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” NIV
Now at peace “with” God we can get God’s Grace. “Access” being in the present active indicative means: by faith we now stand in continuing and ongoing state of receiving God’s Grace.
We don’t just need it for salvation, Christians need God’s grace in their daily lives – and we have IT. ====================================================== Joy
“..hope is the certain, guaranteed hope that God will perform His Word because He is always faithful.” – Vance’s post
We have joy in the guaranteed hope of the Glory of God. ====================================================== Triumph in suffering (Tribulations)
As Christians we should welcome suffering. That is a strange thought. Who would want that? Christians should – even when I fail in my Christian life – I try to remember to thank God for thinking me worthy enough to “test”.
Because we have access to God’s Grace – when we suffer, we should persevere (patience), that leads to character which leads to hope.
But as a Christian we already have hope. Yes, but like Trust, hope is on a spectrum, and this process increases the guaranteed hope we have in God. It is part of the Maturity process of a Christian. ====================================================== Love of God
God – who we were at war with – when we come to salvation, will “pour” out his love into our heart.
“pour” – Gk. “ekcheo” to bestow or distribute largely
We don’t just get a measure of Love, we get large amounts – through the Holy Spirit in us.
Every Christian should know what it is like to have the love of God . . . poured out in our hearts – to have a deep inner awareness of God’s love for us.
i. Paul’s logical arguments in Romans are devastating but the Book of Romans doesn’t lack emotion or passionate experiences with God. Paul wants us to think the right thoughts about God, but he also wants us to have the right experience with God – the love of God . . . poured out in our hearts.
ii. God’s love isn’t given to us in a trickle, it is poured out in our hearts. Some Christians live as if it was only a trickle but God wants us to know the outpouring of His love. – David Guzik
John
====== Beryl:
Rick Warren reckons [The Purpose Driven Life] that when we become christians, its as if God has taken a beachhead on our life. Slowly, He takes a bit more then a bit more untill the whole land belongs to Him and is underHis govern-ment. It makes sense to me, its taken me 40 years to stop wrestling with God and to trust Him enough to fall back into His arms in the hard times and the selfish times. I love Romans. Ch 5;5 says…we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love. Proverb 19:17 “If you help the poor you are lending to the Lord and He will repay you.” This is a strange idea, that I can “lend” to God. How can God owe me? I owe Him everything. It gives a bit of encouragement that I will not be out of pocket or worse off financially if I give a little to someone in need.
Beryl
====== Fred:
Belief means based on fact. Faith means a blind jump, but only from atop of belief. This is theological and etymologically true. Who thinks they are really loved by anyone who sees them only as they are? A Christian is someone who believes in God for what he can see. A Born-again Christian loves God and sees more. In the same way God accepts us as we are, but only sees us as we were meant to be. Christians (like Satan by the previous definition) go to Hell while Born-again Christians go to Heaven. How can you tell a Christian with real faith? The Bible tells us that such a person is successful all the time (the original disciples healed EVERY time), will cast out daemons (Mark 16:17), perform all the miracles Christ has done (like walk on water as Peter did) and MORE (John 14:12-14), as well as convert and baptize all the peoples of the world (just one true disciple of Christ only need, under God, to win one person each year and train that person to do the same in order to convert and baptize the entire world in just 32 years). Everyone else is just a faint faux want-to-be. Who here believes he or she has a good relationship with God? Jesus said such people have no relationship with Him as only those who believe their relationship poor as a right and real relationship. A church or person can only be spiritually healthy if driven by Jesus’ five New Testament life purposes (as illustrated in the Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren) to “Love the Lord with all your heart,” “Love your neighbor as I have loved you (which is infinitely greater than as you love yourself),” “Go and make disciples,” “Baptize them,” and “Teach them to obey.”
Fred
====== John:
Fred,
“Belief means based on fact.”
Can be, but does not have to be.
be·lief (b-lf) n. 1. The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another: My belief in you is as strong as ever. 2. Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something: His explanation of what happened defies belief. 3. Something believed or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets accepted by a group of persons.
“Faith means a blind jump”
Not necessarily. You walk into a room, and there are refreshments, you pick up a can of coke, and drink it.
You have faith (trust) that you will be drinking coke. It is not “blind” faith – (for example) it is based on past experiance, perceived reliability of company, and know the people hosting the get-together.
You can believe Coke is in the can, but it is not necessarily fact. Maybe most of the time it is – but when there exist examples of counterfeit cokes existing in the world – you cannot be 100% sure.
I would submit Christian faith is “not blind faith”. At least to one that has done any kind of research before becoming a Christian. There is historical and archaeological evidence that backs up the Bible, reliable testimony of Gospels, fulfilled prophecies, etc. The evidence is far from complete, but there is enough there to state that a Christian’s faith can be a far cry from a “blind jump”.
When God acts in your life, of course, your faith should become “deeper”. Making it even less of a “blind jump”.
John
====== Fred:
John,
I said that faith is a blind jump but only from atop belief (being based on facts). This means that faith must be something more than belief and not something different. Satan has more data and research than any human and as such has a stronger belief in Christ than any person can ever hope for. BUT, Satan is missing the faith needed to leap blindly from that knowledge of God to an understanding of God. With experience, one can jump blindly more and more – ever more able to do so with faith. To be authentic, Christians must add mystic to moral, not replace moral with mystic (or belief with faith).
The sincerity of my beliefs counts for nothing (“it’s the thought that count” is a lie). If I sincerely believe than I am Napoleon (something clearly inconsistent with an easily measurable and popular world view), a moral society will lock me up as dangerous. But, there are problems that rationality cannot solve alone, but we should never give it up. Critical thinking means understanding how our Input-Processing-Output works by identifying issues (problem definition), assumptions (and presuppositions), appropriate criteria for judgment, and the ability to draw sound conclusions from the evidence. A sincere approach will not validate all possible resulting opinions. What is left over is often referred to as “wishful thinking” or “blowing smoke.” For example, believing that Terri Schiavo could have ever walked and talked with a skull shown by CT scans to clearly be empty of any gray matter could only come from the father of all lies. The Bible tells us that the truly faithful will cast out daemons and out perform Christ, but wishing (even if you called it praying) could still not make Terri walk.
Biblical quality control is what keeps our beliefs and faith in check. For example, “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said” (1 Corinthians 14:29). Scripture demands that anyone claiming to have spiritual gifts or messages from God must submit to public and objective rational testing before employing by multiple accepted authorities using the standard of Scripture and the scrutiny of a true Christian community. “Faith requires reason.” (Isaiah 1:18 and Romans 10:8-15) Speaking in tongues without translation is sinful as is prayer without engaging one’s mind. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) If a person is unwilling or his message fails such an examination, he or she is to be rejected outright (if not stoned to death). Anything, in fact, that draws us away from Biblical authority, no matter how spiritual it may appear, must be completely rejected.
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” “Having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.” “For some have already turned aside after Satan.” (1 Timothy 4:1, 5:12, 15) “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5) “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” (1 John 4:1)
Oscar Wilde wrote, “Those who are faithful know only the trivial side of love; it is the faithless who know love’s tragedies.”
Trust, it is said, must be “earned.” If, however, I hit a rabid dog repeatedly with a stick and then give him my hand, should I talk disparagingly of it when it bites me back? Was not the dog, in fact, completely trustworthy and true to its nature and me the one who needed to “earn” an improvement in the relationship? Is it not the same if I reach out to pet a rattle snake and get bit (as is the case with most rattle snake bites)? If I gain enough understanding, I can learn to trust all. Does not love operate in the same way, in that there is nothing we can do to improve our worthiness to be loved, only in our capacity to love others? If I gain enough understanding, I can likewise learn to love all. While faith is based on hope of the unseen (but on top of trust or beliefs based on the seen), can I not also grow to understand that everyone has the potential to be more than just the sum of their past actions? Do we not all wish to be seen this way? In the same way, my prayers are not designed to change God but to change me.
When I ask Christians what their spiritual gifts are they most often respond with encouragement, but most remind me of the Peanuts comic strips in which Linus and Charlie Brown are all bundled up with caps and coats on a snowy, wintry day. They spot Snoopy shivering in the cold. Desiring to comfort him, they walk over to him. Linus speaks first, “Be of good cheer, Snoopy.” Charlie Brown adds, “Yes, be of good cheer.” Then, they turn and walk away. Snoopy is left still shivering. A big question mark appears over his puzzled expression, as he watches Linus and Charlie Brown walk away. Christian love, however, is supposed to carry us beyond words to deeds. The exhortational communication gift of encouragement (often grouped with Prophecy and Teaching), when real, is a critical healing check against getting off course and uses good social skills (like active listening) and the wisdom to prescribe practical step-by-step plans to help others mature in Christ (using personal experiences amplified by scripture) based on being able to discern (the one spiritual gift required of every Christian) the growth needs of others as well as the spiritual gifts they may be slow to recognize. The gift of encouragement means recognizing and successfully providing admonishments to believers (as in I Thessalonians 5:12) who have strayed from their faith. “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” (Proverbs 20:5)
Fred
====== Brandie:
The ways I connect with Christ’s peace are: I take a bike ride and I am alone on my bike rides, just because I am in no hurry to get anywhere just me and God out there and I talk to him like he right beside me. Sometimes I will even sing to him. Jesus loves me, Jesus loves all the little children..we talk about the issues in my family. We talk about how to not complain so much, why the wind blows in my face everytime I make a turn back to go to the car, but it is just his way letting me know that he is there with me. I am not scared at anytime I ride my bike. Cause I know he is there with me.
Another way is in bed at night, I ask him to clear all my thoughts from the day and it works. He will clear my thoughts so I can rest. He is awesome! 🙂
I believe that if you are kind to the poor that it will be recongize when we get to the gates of heaven. But sometimes there is only so much one person can do.
I am always shouting for JOY!!! he has amazing Grace how sweet the sound!!!!!
Brandie
====== Eva:
Thank you for the awesome job you are doing for us to could read and understand more about the scripture.
I find my peace in my night pray in my bed. I have much evil going around in my apartment and I can’t get any rest in the night if I don’t pray for protection of negative energies hitting me like nightmares. If I fall to sleep before I say AMEN do I get all kind of nightmares so I can see that pray is a life saver as the devil visit me and sometimes do he try to struggle me in the night.
I find peace by talking to God in my mind beeing in public stressful places and I see how everything calm down and I see how I am in my own path thru the crowds.
I pray for to not be hit of the rain and that God stop the time when I am late…and He stop it all the time when I ask but I never use the pray if it’s not of real needs.
I have listen to the whole long video and he was so very interesting to listen at and I fall to tears when I saw the little dying child in India. He maybe was 10 years old but he looked at the nurse like a little baby look at his/her mother who breastfeed him/her.
I wish we could have more of those HOT for Jesus people in this world. They are too few.
And Mother Theresa said a very important thing when she said that Calcutta is everywhere in this world.
I watch American idol after seen the vidoe and God showed me at the program that 9 million people in USA don’t get enough food to eat !
For me beeing from Sweden do we not have such need as we have the best social welfare program in the world but our Calcutta is the psychologic issues. It’s seems the more the sociaty care for you the more do people forget to help each other.
Like a example from my life. I had an appointment at the Doctor and the same night did my mother died. I called up the Doctor office and said that my mother have died this night so I could go to the Doctor and she answer me ” So what ? “
Or when I miss-caring in 5th month and I should do a ultra-sound and the nurse called me and was sooo angry at me and ask why I didn’t showed up. And I answered her that I just had been to the hospital and give birth to a dead baby. ( The Hospital killed my baby by not taken care of me when I was there but that’s another story )
I do write in my blog how bad Christian people was to me in USA. God told me to go as the most poor person in USA and He was sending me to maybe 300 Churches for to find out how they treated me ( and him ) there.
Of maybe 300 Churches I visit was it 0 church that really helped me out.
5 that gave me temporary help like food, clothes, bills.
0 asked me why I was in USA or even wanted to know who I was. Not for to talking so much about the color skin but all the time was I the only white person asking for help in the Church so I kind of was sticking out and wasn’t hidden.
You maybe wondring what sort help I needed from the Church ? There is more needs than those I mention above !
For example:
1. A safe place to stay bcause the shelter isn’t a safe place. I was in 6 shelters and I was in one shelter were I saw a woman be raped of other women, I was laying with my most value things under me as some people was up in the night and looked in my bags. I was in a shelter that said they couldn’t stop to take in mental ill people or people going on drugs.
And the worse of all !!! Kids was in some of the shelter too !
2. Need of help like how to get a workpermit in USA , it took me 10 months to get a temporay visa so I could work in USA.
3. Personal protection in workplaces like for me every September 11 people refused to work with me as I was not from USA.
4. Someone that adopt us so we have a person to go to that am really listen and take time for us that have no home or family.
5. If any true Christian should have been listen should they had known that I didn’t get any money support from Sweden or USA. When I had a good job I call the Swedish embassady to send me a letter in English that it said ” You have left your country with free will so we don’t have to support you ” but I never needed to use it as I returned back home when God said I should.
I was in 3 and half years in USA walking on the street as a poor woman. One time a Pastor said that Jesus was walking 3 and half year in the bible. So I think Jesus was with me in my walking and saw everything Christian people did to me.
The best help I got was from the homeless people. They teached me where to store my clothes. They showed me where to get food and clothes. I knew I could count on them if someone was coming up to me in the street and be bad to me. I had eyes protecting me in all the corners in Norfolk, Virginia.
And in the end the homeless said I was a hero for them when they saw how I struggled to survive in a country that I didn’t knew and where I had no person that helped me. They said if I could do what I did , they said they could too ! ( I had nothing first and then did I get a house and become a supervisor in a mall )
And my best Bible readings was together with homeless and druggy people because they could ask question that I could see come from their heart but the Church that provided the Bible studies for homeless was sending ordinary people there…I never saw any Pastor, Ministers, deacon……. visit us !!!!!
Eva
====== Jenny:
Peace is often mistaken for a feeling, our emotions. There was a book a while back called “Emotions: Can u trust them?” The answer is no. Our emotions sway up and down and all around and are often based on circumstances and many other things. The world is wrong in that saying: listen to your heart. The scripture clearly teaches the heart is wicked and cannot be trusted. there are ppl in various religions who say their basis of salvation is, ‘oh, i just have a peace about it’. Thats emotion based. I want truth bcos my emotions can be all over the map (HELLO, I’m a female! haha). Truth is based on God’s word and through Christ. We may not always feel at peace bcos life isnt always peaceful! When I’m going through a turbulent situation, I cant say I’m at peace always. What Jesus Christ came and did for us was give us access to God that we who believe and call on His name and are born into His family, we are at peace with God: we are no longer enemies of God. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom 5:10) Therefore, we were once all enemies of God until we were justified by faith through Christ’s work. So this gives option: we are either enemies of God, or friends of God. No neutral ground. It is also true that being in a devoted relationship with Christ often results in a peaceful life. I am no longer in bondage, no longer fighting God so I am in rest and peace in my spirit! When we first came to christ or recommitted our life, I know we all went thru probly a similar thing, feeling this HUGE weight being removed from us! Thats a spiritual war that we had toward God and surrendering to God, that is definitely peaceful! that is peace that surpasses all understanding!
Proverbs reading encourages us to be giving ppl. I think if we are born on God, that will be a byproduct, God will move in us, giving us a heart and compassion for others. “Lending”…well, we arent lending to the Lord per se bcos its all His anyway! He just gives us custody of certain things…we are more giving back what He gave us. Trusting Him in this is very wonderful and its a privilege. We arent to give in hopes to get back from God, but we trust that He will take care of us. If we are faithful in the little things (ie. we give to the poor) God will entrust us with more, so He may increase our funds or He may not, thats not why we give, or shouldnt be why.
Jenny
====== John:
Romans 4:13-5:5
Salvation: the promise of imputed righteousness through Christ comes by faith.
It cannot come by the Law. Why?
If those who live by the Law receive the promise,
1) faith has no value. It would not matter if you have faith (trust in God) or not. You would not need faith, but only to obey. Your motivation for obeying the Law could be fear, desire of the promise, or simply as a challenge, but you would not have to have any faith to get the promise.
2) The promise is worthless. Why? No one can obey the Law perfectly. No one would be saved. It would be like me saying, “I will give you a million dollars if you can stand here on the street and using only your own body jump up to the top of that three story building. I may have the million, but no one can do it. That is the Law – impossible to obey perfectly.
Because the Law brings wrath. If you rely solely on the Law, you cannot obey, you have sinned, sin angers God, God moves against you either here, and if not here at judgment.
John
====== John:
Romans 4:13-5:5
4:15because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Wait a minute, if there is no transgression, how can God judge?
STORY TIME
A 1,000 years ago there was a country ruled by a good, wise, and just king. Outsiders viewed the king this way, and most of the countrymen loved their king and were loyal subjects.
Except for one small town on the outskirts of the kingdom. These people ignored the king. They did not pay (fair) taxes, consider themselves subjects, nor acknowledge the king in any way. In fact, they tore up or defaced any royal decrees that came around, poached the king’s cattle, and mocked the king at every public opportunity.
Yet, the townspeople did plenty of good things: helped widows and orphans, rebuilt any destroyed homes for other towns, even went out of the country and helped heal many sick people with theIR special “town” herbs. They did a lot of good – too much to list.
One day, the king had all the townspeople rounded up and brought before his throne. “What have you got to say for yourself”, the king asked. The town leader had all the ledgers of the town that listed there good deeds placed before the throne. Over 200 ledgers in all. The leader said, “We are good people”.
How did the king react? He had all the ledgers taken away and said, ‘The ledgers are not relevant. The issue is rebellion, not how good or bad you are, and since you have always been in rebellion, you are guilty.’
[Note: The king did mitigate some of the punishment because of the deeds, but all were guilty of rebellion, and all were put in jail.]
The wages of sin is death, and death has been present since the fall. The sin before the law was not on anybody’s ledger, but all were guilty of rebellion – Turning their backs to God and each going their own way.
In addition Paul has said that the law is written in our hearts, so we will have transgression based on what we knew and what we did with that knowledge. However without faith, all are guilty and condemned of rebellion, just as the town people in the story.
John
======= John:
Romans 4:13-5:5
4:23-25The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Back to the propitiation idea. If Christ had just died on the Cross, then believers would have sin atoned for, but we would not be redeemed. Redeemed means to claim and take hold of in a tangible fashion after paying the price for the object to be redeemed. It is the resurection that gives eternal life/salvation. It is the resurrection that leads to the redeeming, that allows us to become children of God and co-heirs to heaven. Christ being the firstfruits* and we, as believers, to follow him to heaven for glorification.
*Feast of the first fruits is a feast of the harvest where the Jews cut sheaves off the harvest, and offered them to the Lord in thanks for the crop. the idea was offering the first fruits of the harvest with anticipation of much more fruit behind the first.
Interesting enough, the first fruit feast at Christ’s death was on the Sunday after the crucifixion. At dawn and early morning hours Jesus was seen by varous groups. But by the time the first fruits were offered, Jesus may have coincidingly been going up to the Father. [Remember it was eight days later before Jesus appeared before Thomas and apostles]
Christ as in 1 CR 15 was the firstfruits of much more fruit to come (believers) – who would be going up to heaven.
John
====== John:
Romans 4:13-5:5
5:1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,…
It is not we have the”peace of God”, but very clearly in the Greek, it is peace with (or literally “toward” God).
The saved (justified) by faith (trust in God) are now the rebels who are no longer in rebellion. We have turned back to God, repented, and believed, and imputed righteousness is ours. We are at peace facing toward (with) God. ================================================================================= HOPE
5:3-4 Not only so, but wealso rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
I had a fellow believer talk about some tough tiems recently. I was agreeing with him, and added, “but it will be pretty cool when we are in heaven.”
He told me he “hoped so”, and in discussion he explained he hoped he would be in heaven. Why the doubt, because he sees the english word “hope” in a lot of Paul’s writings, and so he just hopes for the best??????
His problem is in his defintion of hope:
The modern idea of hope is “to wish for, to expect, but without certainty of the fulfillment; to desire very much, but with no real assurance of getting your desire.”
That is not the biblical definiton of “hope”. In Scripture, according to the Hebrew and Greek words translated by the word “hope” and according to the biblical usage, hope is an indication of certainty. “Hope” in Scripture means “a strong and confident expectation.”
In dictionaries today, this is labeled an archaic concept. Imagine that. The reason the expectation can be certain is based on whom you are placing your hope in (GOD). If your hope is based on God’s Word, then it can be a certain expectation as God never breaks His Word.
Secular definitions cannot have hope being a strong and confident expectation because they rule out God. Therefore everything you hope in is flawed and a chance of disappointment exists.
[Note: After explaining the Biblical definition of Hope to the man, the last time I saw him he was beaming with a grin from ear to ear.]
John
====== John:
1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34
The Treasurers and Other Officials
“These men were watching over the treasures of God, the gold, silver and-so-on.”
Army Divisions
“David has organized the spiritual part of the kingdom and now he is working on the military part of the kingdom. And I think David has it in the right order, spiritual must always come first. You can have the best army, as the Babylonians did, and still be defeated because your heart is far from the Lord. David now divides all his military men into 12 groups or divisions, with each one having 24,000 men. These groups or divisions would serve for 1 month out of the year, unless of course you were in a war, and then you would be called to active duty.”
VERSES 32-34
1. “Ahithophel was David’s counselor until he turned against David. When David’s son Absalom rebelled against David and he makes himself king, Ahithophel joins him. And if you remember, Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba, and it is possible that because of David’s actions against his granddaughter and son-in-law, that Ahithophel had a lot of bitterness in his heart towards David. And now the time was right for a revolt and he may have felt he was giving David his just reward. But his life ended tragically as Absalom refused to hear his wise counsel, and thus, he went and committed suicide. He saw that the reign of Absalom was coming to an end, and thus he was as good as dead anyway.”
2. “In the chapters we have studied tonight we have seen how David organized the nation of Israel, both spiritually and militarily. You see, God is a God of order and not chaos. He sets things in order, and He does the same in our own life when things seem to be in utter turmoil In Psalm 37:23-24 we read “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.” http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library/Guglielmo-Joe/Studies/TH/13-1CH/TH1055.HTM
John
====== Jen:
What am I willing to give so that the poor will be served, and what am I a willing to risk to care for those who need care? I have been blessed with people who would not let me become poor, I should be that person for someone else. I pray that the lord leads me to find that person who I am to be a support for and that I have the humble heart to see the need and meet it.
Jen
====== Duane:
It has been a Long time since I have posted. I would just like to say that I read Mike’s commentary and I try to follow the online reading for each day. This bible blog is a large part of my life. Please do not stop what you are doing. You are reaching so many people. You have been a blessing to me
Duane
====== Robert:
Proverbs 19:17
I really like your take on the poor Ramona. Just throwing money at them is only a bandage solution. A great help is taking care of the poor’s education part and that falls in line with the great advice about fishing from Mathew 4:19 but has been put into a different form attributed to Confucius or Lao Tzu. “Give a man a fish, and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you’ve fed him for a lifetime”. I have always felt that teaching life skills is a priority in helping the poor.
Here is an example:
My friend Brian orders takeout food almost every day because he doesn’t know how to cook. Doing this for so long has burned a hole in his wallet. So I decided to give the man a fish (figuratively speaking) by teaching him how to cook.
Or maybe even a better one: Perhaps, in fact, we should amend the proverb to read, “Give a woman a fish, and she’ll have the energy to take care of her children, do well at work, and pursue her goals. Teach her to fish and give her access to a pond full of fish, and she’ll be able to feed herself and her family for life.” Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner and so-called father of microfinance.
Robert
====== Vance:
I agree completely with this statment:
“Sin will sell you lies and leave you with nothing.”
I have to resist the devil and repent of temptation to sin every day. This is the ONLY way to walk in life.
I like these the verses below, because they show me that because I am free from sin and righteous IN CHRIST that I CAN AND MUST BE more and more free from sin and righteous in my character.
Colossians 3 (NKJV) 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
BECAUSE CHRIST IS MY LIFE… and BECAUSE MY LIFE IS IN CHRIST… therefore I put to death in my life and experience that which is still connected to death (i.e., sin).
Romans 4 (NKJV) 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[Genesis 15:6]
NOTE: May we meditate, chew on, turn over and over in our beings, and pray over the fact that God has promised He is able–and will always–perform.
May we meditate on the character and promises of God until we KNOW that we know that we know for certain it is true FOR US.
May I do the same thing for me.
Romans 5 (NKJV) 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
NOTE: Hope in the Bible is not like the popular phrase: “I don’t know, but I hope so.”
Rather, hope is the certain, guaranteed hope that God will perform His Word because He is always faithful.
Peace is like that. Peace is a state that Christ has obtained for us that we receive by faith.
Yes, we can choose to walk out of the peace and hope that God paid for us to have in Christ–
or we can “abide”, that is, “remain” in what Jesus has paid for us to have.
Psalm 14 (NKJV) 1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.
NOTE: It is SO easy to compare myself to others in order to feel good. It is especially tempting to compare myself to Charles Manson or Adolph Hitler or the man or woman down the street who committed adultery and left his or her marriage.
Yet, I am not called to compare myself to anyone except Jesus Christ.
Mark 7 (NKJV) 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Psalm 14 (NKJV) 7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.
NOTE: This reminds me of one of my favorite verses from another Psalm:
Psalm 35 (NKJV) 27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” 28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.
Proverbs 19 (NKJV) 17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given.
NOTE: When we give to others out of love and worship for God and to help others—we are giving to God.
Give, and it shall be given back to us—good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over (Luke 6:18).
God is the Source of everything we are and everything we have. He is the One who determines the best time and way that what we give will come back to us as a blessing.
We all sow something– either to the flesh or to the Spirit.
I pray for wisdom on how to give to those who are truly needy. In the area where I live, there are “professional homeless” people. They pretend to be homeless, and play on peoples’ emotions. However, they are actually not homeless, and they make a lot of extra money by pretending.
May God bring to light all false people, and may we love and give in wisdom.
Vance
====== Dee:
Order..organization..I always heard Cleanliness is next to Godliness and even though this isn’t explicitly stated..this comes to mind when I think of how David had the temple organized and all the assigned tribe members. And yes in the end sin..not property issues caused it’s downfall amd destruction. Pride comes before the fall of mankind amd when unrepentent..watch out..destruction awaits
Faith is believing in the things hoped for evidence not seen. Faith section of Roman’s. Because of Faith God has brought us to the high places of honor and he gives us grave and favor and all we need to have is faith.
Psalm 14. No one is without sin..no not one. That is true. It is when we recognize and accept that without repentance and accepting of Jesus..He is the only one to save us in this sinful corrupt world.
Proverbs 19:17 Yes it is nice to give to the poor. Whatever the motive, that is between them and God. He loves them just as he does us
Old Testament – In First Chronicles chapter 24 today we read about the divisions of the priests and the Levites. It is important to note that the priests and Levites had differing roles. The priests actually performed the sacrifices whereas the Levites assisted the priests in their duties – including assisting in the sacrifices, playing music, baking goods, and care of the Tabernacle/Temple (to name a few things the Levites did). Both priests and Levites were from the tribe of Levi, but the priests also had to be descendants of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel.
Ever wonder why we have music in church today? First Chronicles 25 verse 1 could be where the stage is set for the tradition of music in our worship services! “David and the army commanders then appointed men from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals.” Do you find music in church to be inspiring? Do you worship God with music in church? Why do you suppose music moves people so profoundly in church? Do you think music can bring people closer to Jesus? Has music brought you closer to Jesus?
New Testament – We have great writings by Paul today in Romans how we are declared righteous before God! Verse 4 is powerful: “When people work, their wages are not a gift. Workers earn what they receive. But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.” Our right relationship with Jesus is a gift. We do not work to earn it. It is given to us as a gift. Our right relationship with God is not because of our work – but because of Jesus’ work on our behalf on the cross. Have you accepted the gift? If not, will you accept Jesus’ invitation to receive this free gift today?
Paul’s writings about Abraham’s faith are wonderful in today’s readings. Verses 9 & 10 stands out: “Well, what about Abraham? We have been saying he was declared righteous by God because of his faith. But how did his faith help him? Was he declared righteous only after he had been circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? The answer is that God accepted him first, and then he was circumcised later!” These verses are an example of Abraham being accepted into a right relationship with God through faith – not works (circumcision in this case). I do believe our good works are desired and appreciated by God – he wants us to ultimately live holy & loving lives where we love God and love people. But, faith in Jesus and acceptance by God comes first, then our good works for the Kingdom come as fruits of our faith. Abraham was an example of this as we read in verse 3: “For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.”” Below is an portrait of Abraham being called by God by artist Guy Rowe:
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “An Old Testament Illustration of Justification by Faith” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 13 is thought to be a prayer by David for recovery from a grave illness, based on verse 3: “Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die.” Yet, even in the midst of this serious illness, David amazingly proclaims in verse 5: “But I trust in your unfailing love.” How about you? When you are sick or in the midst of a very challenging or sad situation, do you trust in God’s unfailing love? Always? No matter what is going on around you? Do you trust that God will ultimately restore the light to your eyes? If not in this world, then in the world to come?
Proverbs – Proverbs 19 verse 15 is quite true – “A lazy person sleeps soundly–and goes hungry.” Have you ever had lazy periods of your life? Are you maybe in one now? Do you realize that when you are lazy you are slowly starving yourself? That you are going hungry? I believe this can apply to being lazy about our physical world – as well as our spiritual world. When we are lazy in our faith, yes, I believe we can appear to “sleep soundly.” But – meanwhile we are starving ourselves spiritually, which is a grave risk. Are you in a physically or spiritually lazy place right now? If so, will you turn to Jesus for your work orders – and for your very food? If you are in a lazy place right now, please do not continue to sleep quite so soundly…
Worship Video – Today’s readings remind me of the New Life terrific worship song, “Great I Am:”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry.” Proverbs 19:15 NLT
Prayer Point: Pray that you are not a lazy person. Pray against laziness in your life. Pray that you will rest well and enjoy Sabbath rest, but that you will not be lazy nor idle nor hungry.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS: (our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
I Chronicles 24:1-2611 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints …Let all things be done decently and in order. (1Co 14:33, 40 KJV)
The above verses were what came to my mind as I read how Aaron’s descendents were divided up to minister in the temple, even down to the gatekeepers. It’s not if you show up and lets use this person at the last minute because this was not something we thought about. Every aspect of the ministry was thought out and planned for under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that came upon the saints of old.
Serving in the temple was not based on who was liked best but by dividing up the groups and using mathematics of chance to assign order of service. One could argue that I was assigned the bathroom cleaning detail because I had no influence with leadership; however throwing die or lots to pick assignment within each groups calling stopped the tendency to do that dead it its tracks.
Obed-Edom’s sons: The firstborn Shemaiah, the second Jehozabad, the third Joah, the fourth Sakar, the fifth Nethanel, the sixth Ammiel, the seventh Issachar, and the eighth Peullethai. (Indeed, God blessed Obed-Edom.) His son Shemaiah also had sons, who were leaders of their families, for they were highly respected. The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad. His relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also respected. All these were the descendants of Obed-Edom. They and their sons and relatives were respected men, capable of doing their responsibilities. There were sixty-two of them related to Obed-Edom. (1Ch 26:4-8 NET.)
Obed-Edom, who kept and honored the ARK of the Covenant while it resided in his home (2 Sam 6:11; 1 Chron. 13:14), keeps popping up in these readings. For the man to be continuously mentioned in Chronicles tells me to take note and see what the man did to be honored by God. This lets me know that God honors and rewards faithfulness.
Romans 4:1-12
Not only does God not have favorites based on lineage, ethnicity and or melanin in the skin, he uses one criterion and one criterion alone in those he calls His, our faith. Our actions or works are not a means by which we earn our way into God’s favor or Kingdom, but is an outward sign of an inward work. We do good works because of the Love that has been “shed abroad” in our hearts.
We do because God first loved us, we don’t do trying to prove our love for God.
Psalm 13:1-6 David seems to voice to God that he feels abandoned to his troubles because God has forgotten him. He is struggling with enemies without and the one within (himself), telling him that God has forsaken him. He tells God to answer his prayer and not let allow the enemies to make sport of him. Then he remembers who God is and what he has done for him in the past and believes and knows that God loves him and will rescue him as God has done in the past.
This is a model for me to follow when I feel like I’ve been left alone by God. It also reminds me that just because I “feel” like something is true doesn’t mean it is true.
Proverbs 19:15-16
I am going to go out on a limb in this fifteenth verse so if there are mental health professionals reading this I may have a few enemies if I do not have them already. One of the symptoms of depression is a desire for sleep.
Since I’ve learned long ago that I cannot fit and mold the Word of God to my own circumstances I must fit my circumstances to the Word of God, could it be that depression and its symptoms of sleep may be a means to escape the sins we have committed or won’t forgive ourselves for? Interesting that God, in I John has given us a way of escape for missing the mark, sin.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1Jo 1:9 KJVR)
The question is upon confessing our sin, do we stick around and wait for God’s cleansing, or do we take the route of pride and arrogance, “God can forgive me, but I can’t forgive myself,”
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Peggy:
I do believe that music in church, brings You closer to whorship. while you are singing if you really listen to the words there is a true message, and praise to the Lord. I have found that God has spoken to me through music. Have a blessed day’ Peggy
====== Jan:
I love the pic of the child on his kness before God on the steps – that is how we are to become like little children toward God & how we feel about Him. Here is a great article about such:
One of the greatest risks we can take is to become childlike. Especially for those of us who deal with rejection, overly high standards of performance, or low self-esteem–in other words, all of us. It is a daring, dangerous thing to do. It’s much like opening your hand and letting everything you hold dear slide through your fingers.
Being childlike is an act of faith…and trust in God.
Children aren’t in control of their lives. Making a childlike adjustment can be very hard for adults who have had decades to build up a reservoir of opinion, theology, and self-purpose. We like to be in control. We like to know what’s going to happen next…even if we can’t have the specifics.
To Be Childlike is To Be Christ-like
Most of us are familiar with the idea of “connecting with your inner child,” which basically means letting the “real you” out of the grown-up box you’ve put yourself in. There are definite benefits to finding out who you are, and what you think about things. But truth be told, the real “real you” is discovered only in God’s shadow, not buried somewhere deep in your soul.
Becoming childlike means becoming Christ-like; in part, we take on God’s penchant for the simple and the delightful, and we leave worry behind.
Being childlike isn’t something we can make up or force…so once again, we must be completely dependent on God…for everything.
When you are completely dependent on Him in a simple, childlike way, your thinking about everything else will be rearranged. It births inside you a gratitude for small things, for great things, and for things you’ve never even thought of before–the infinity of God that is beyond human comprehension.
Suddenly, you see His hand in everything. Everything becomes something of infinite fascination and value, because you know that the Lover of your soul put it there, so you would see it. He really did.
Experience New Wonder
Children live in a state of perpetual discovery. What is new, is full of wonder. What sparkles, and dances, and teases them is completely captivating. It doesn’t take a lot to fascinate a child.
We adults need to experience new wonder in order to worship at the level God is calling us to. But in our “old age,” being comfortable usually wins out over being stunned, amazed, and deliciously shocked by what we see and experience.
To deeply worship, we must discover new territories and touch that which is always new and wondrous–the living God. To touch eternity, just for a moment, is full of wonder.
You could never explore and discover all of God. Even with all of eternity at our fingertips, we will never touch anything beyond the outer realms of who He is.
God is that big, that lovely, and that beyond our wildest dreams.
Jan
====== Ramona:
1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11
I could not help notice how temple (church) leadership was appointed and I marvel at the wisdom of choosing by lot which family of Priest, Levites, Gatekeepers and Musicians would serve and when. No one could say how special they were because they served longer or less; no one was given preference so the musician who was still learning his instrument praised God in the sanctuary the same amount of time as the one who was the musician’s musician.
I wonder if we should be doing that in our church’s today there would be no “special” folks, just people serving the Lord and His people. Something to think about.
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Pat:
The Scripture that really touches my heart this morning is 1 Chronicles 24:30, “They were to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same n the evening.”
They were to start and end each day thanking and praising the Lord! This was not a prayer offered up for their people, families, friends, or themselves – it was a solely and strictly a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. They were to take a few minutes each morning and evening and totally dedicate them to praising the Lord! What a marvelous lesson for all of us today! What a marvelous difference it will make in our life if we start out each morning and end the day each evening with nothing on our heart or in our thoughts except the greatness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
God Bless, Pat
====== Jenny:
Music in church is vital. Its a time of praise n worship and it prepares your heart to hear from the Lord! I used to get to church late and miss worship and consequently, yet unknowingly, got less from the sermon…my heart wasnt prepared. After i realized how vital worship was i made sure i wasnt late because it may just be the most important part. music opens the way for the spirit to really indwell you. Not just hearing but really praising God, meditate on the words, just sit at the Lord’s feet! After all we were created to worship through music, its a deep form of worship. its power may be underestimated by ppl. but after all there is a choir of angels singing praise to the Lord in heaven. the word says the Lord inhabits the praises of His people!! ok, thats one of my semiannual music tangents :p
Jenny
====== Dee:
Ramona spot on as usual!!
Yes I love that God is a God of order and everyone has a place and a plan in this thing called Life!! It’s what we do with it that matters and giving him the glory to live an abundant life.
Romans..it is your faith that makes u whole. It is the epitome of acceptance and love in the kingdom and yes God loves all. He cleans after he catches! However in the Bible I love how marveled Jesus was moved by people’s faith and filled for compassion with one’s who were seeking yet wandering like a sheep without a shepherd.
Psalm: and just like Ramona said..just because we feel abandoned, we are not!! We r loved, whole, complete and forgiven..and accepted by God. Man will let us down but God never fails.
Proverbs: don’t be lazy. Yes
Dee
====== Ralph:
Thanks Ramona for digging deeper and delving into Obed-Edom. Lots to think about and extrapolate on this chapter about God’s response to our faithfulness. Thank you for your post.
Ralph
====== Jane:
Mike something keeps pulling me back to your picture of the boy by the alter. You know in was at a weslyan Church where they had lay your burdens at the alter. All age people and young children Went up and laid there hands on others. This gesture always moves me to tears. Why don’t all churches do this? It teaches us to Pray for and over others. It teaches humility. It means take our burdens to him and people will pray for us. I need this! My Mennonite church doesn’t do this ! Too proud? I also am Drawn into worship by music. God lifts my spirit and I feel Like I’m in heaven praising him. Not everyone experiences worship in this way. But it’s ok. God looks at our hearts and wants our hearts to be pure. God bless you mike!
Jane
====== Robert:
Romans 4
Does anyone have trouble like me understanding the concepts of faith, justification, and righteousness? Bob Deffinbaugh does a good job of explaining this chapter. (Great Introduction story too). I just thought I would list his topic titles if anyone wants a better insight. The point of all of this really is that the O.T. law was never meant to bridge the gap between God and people, only Jesus could do that.
Abraham Was Justified by Faith, Not Works (4:1-8) Abraham Was Justified While Still a Gentile (4:9-12) God’s Promises Are Realized by Faith, Not by Law-Keeping (4:13-16) Abraham’s Faith Is Like That Required by the Gospel (4:17-25)
Application (1) Salvation is not of works, and only by faith. (2) Faith is the only way of receiving God’s blessing. (3) The ‘sacraments’ do not convey grace as some would tell us; they symbolize grace.
P.S. I think this might be important because I had to try 4 times to get to this link…..hmmmm.
Robert
====== Dee:
It’s all about order and dividing lots and all were given 12 of their ascendant. That was important. Makes me think of dividing up leadership at work amd not jist the same ones who think they’re qualified doing it yearly but all the science teachers are lead this year then all of social studies. So that one’s realize their potential and it’s not on qualification but by His might you succeed.
We love God because he first loves us. That is huge!
David felt without and alone. Many of us feel that way. Leadership isn’t easy and is not without abandon..you leave the old self and put on new ..old wine skin breaks so you have to put on new..trust and believe
I feel like without a schedule I fall into a lazy scheme. I do better during school session because i know I have limited time to do things. It’s essential to have purpose and passion and seek Him. Have a schedule and put feet and hands to action. You will feel better in the long run
Dee
====== John:
Romans 4
Paul spent 3.5 chapters talking about man as a sinner, than talked about the solution – “Righeousness through Faith”. Paul mentions it is not a new idea – it is in the Old Testament.
Now he gives examples – Abraham and David. Important because Abraham is the founding father of Jewish nation, and David is its greatest king.
Abraham was BEFORE the Law, yet he was accounted righteous? How? Paul cites Gen 15:6 “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
The Hebrew word for believed in Genesis is ‘aman – to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in. There’s that concept of “trust” from above post.
vs. 4 “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.”
A system of works seeks to put God in debt to us, to have God owe us His favor because of our good behavior. In works-thinking, God owes us salvation or blessing because of our good works. – David Guzik
So Abraham was credited with righteousness by belief in God.
By this we understand that there are not two ways of salvation – saved by works or law-keeping in the Old Testament, and saved by grace through faith in the New Testament. Everyone who has ever been saved – Old or New Testament – is saved by grace through faith, through their relationship of trusting love with God. Because of the New Covenant we have benefits of salvation that the Old Testament saint did not have, but we do not have a different manner of salvation. – David Guzik
Devastating argument to the Jews.
Abraham was counted as righteous in Genesis 15:6. He did not receive the covenant of circumcision until Genesis 17, which was at least 14 years later. Therefore his righteousness wasn’t based on circumcision, but on faith. – David Guzik
Since all God’s dealings with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob happened before the giving of the Mosaic Law, we can’t say they were based on the law. Instead, they are based on God’s declaration of Abraham’s righteousness through faith.
How can Paul say, where there is no law there is no transgression (vs.15)? Because “Transgression is the right word for overstepping a line, and this for breaking a clearly defined commandment.” (Morris) Where there is no line, there is no actual transgression.
i. There is sin that is not the “crossing of the line” of the Law of Moses. The root of sin isn’t in breaking the law, but in breaking trust with God; with denying His loving, caring purpose in every command He gives. Before Adam sinned he broke trust with God – therefore God’s plan of redemption is centered on a relationship of trusting love – faith – instead of law-keeping. When we center our relationship with God on law-keeping instead of trusting love, we go against His whole plan. – David Guzik
It is of faith that it might be according to grace: Faith is related to grace in the same way works is related to law. Grace and law are the principles, and faith and works are the means by which we pursue those principles for our relationship with God.
i. To speak technically, we are not saved by faith. We are saved by God’s grace, and grace is appropriated by faith.
If our relationship with God is according to grace (not circumcision or law-keeping), then that relationship is for those who are of the faith of Abraham, even if they are not of his lineage. – David Guzik ====================================================== If God could call the dead womb of Sarah to life, he can call those who are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) to new life in Jesus.
Abraham’s example also helps us to understand the nature of faith. The conception of Abraham’s son Isaac was a miracle, but it was not an immaculate conception. Abraham’s faith did not mean that he did nothing and just waited for God to create a child in Sarah’s womb. Abraham and Sarah had marital relations and trusted God for a miraculous result. This shows us that faith does not mean doing nothing, but doing all with trust and reliance on God and His miraculous work. – David Guzik
vs.20-21 “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” NIV
The idea seems to be that Abraham was strengthened in his faith; but Paul could also mean that Abraham was strengthened by his faith – certainly both were true.
As God continues to prove Himself in a “believers ” life, it seems natural that one’s faith would be deepened. A difference in “trust” and “supreme trust”???? ====================================================== Paul ties it up neatly in the end.
“it was credited to him” was not for Abraham alone but anyone – “God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” NIV
That is anyone who knows, belives, and trusts! That is Faith!
====
1 Chronicles 24-26:11
Priests
“It was the family of Aaron that was the priestly line, and from this we have 24 divisions and each was to serve for 2 weeks. At the end of their 2 week service they would return home and minister from there. Remember that the Levites were spread out in 48 cities throughout the land of Israel so that no man was more than a days journey from one of these cities.”
Singers
“Here we see David assemble the worship team and when it speaks of them prophesying with harps and-so-on, don’t let that confuse you. They were not necessarily foretelling but forthtelling the things of God through their music. In I Corinthians 14:3 we read “But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” Worship songs should minister to our hearts, they should build us up, they should encourage us, they should comfort us, as we focus back on the Lord…”
NOTE: The word “prophet” derives from the Greek word “to announce.” A prophet of the LORD God spoke His words. The prophet spoke the words of God, not his own. He was a mouthpiece which God declared His message to men. Now prophecy has both a broad and a narrow meaning. The broad meaning can be defined as to “forth-tell”, and the narrow meaning means to “fore-tell.”A good way of understanding the general from the specific is to realize that forth-telling involves knowing the Will of God, and “fore-telling” contains insight into the future plans of God. Forth-telling challenges and exhorts men to accomplish the Will of God, fore-telling predicts the future and prepares the believer for the things to come. http://iknowjesuslovesme.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-does-prophecy-in-scripture-mean.html
Gatekeepers
“The gatekeepers were responsible in keeping out those that did not belong in the temple area and to allow those who did belong in.”
Romans 4 (Amplified) 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living and right standing with God). 6 Thus David congratulates the man and pronounces a blessing on him to whom God credits righteousness apart from the works he does: 7 Blessed and happy and to be envied are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried. 8 Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him. NOTE: Of course, we must absolutely receive the gift of righteousness, as we can never earn this on our own. I pray, therefore, there will be a true, deep, and lasting repentance of sin so we are able to receive the cleansing and righteousness that God promises. ~~~ The faith and lives Abraham and David appear to show two sides of justification: one side of taking away and one side of putting in. I think of a financial account ledger: one side shows what money is owed and the other side shows what money is in bank One side has a debt that must be taken away and removed. The other side has the amount that must be given. The “money” of heaven is righteousness, if I can say it like that. David represents the “debt taken away” side of the accounting. Romans 4:8 – “Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin THE LORD WILL TAKE NO ACCOUNT NOR RECKON IT AGAINST HIM.” Abraham represents the “credit given” side of the accounting. Romans 4:3 – “…Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIS ACCOUNT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS(right living and right standing with God).” May we truly live our lives on earth like that: 1. Really and truly surrendering to the Lord everything that offends Him and is not pleasing to Him. 2. Really and truly, then, receiving from the Lord His gift to be pleasing to Him. Only God can make our inability to do what is right to become His gift of His goodness to us! Vance
======= Imja:
Greetings Focusing on God and how much He has done for all of us. Keep choosing to trust God, for He is GOOD:) He will never leave or forsake us. Thank you Father! Ps. 13 5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Shalom! Imja
Old Testament – Today’s readings in First Chronicles chapter 22 reminded me that none of us does anything in life on our own. We always rely on those that came before us. We stand on the shoulders of our ancestors. The thing that made me think about this was how many preparations David worked on for his son Solomon to then later build the Temple of the Lord. Solomon would not have been able to build the Temple as quickly (or probably as well) without his father David’s help. Solomon was standing on the shoulders of his father David. Do you realize that many good things that have happened in your life are thanks to those that came before you? Do you realize you are standing on the shoulders of your parents, your teachers, your pastors, and your community leaders? And, to take this a step further, do you realize that in the future people will be standing on your shoulders? They are going to need your shoulders! So, like David was making preparations for his son Solomon and the future Temple of the Lord, are you making preparations for others in your life for their future? Perhaps even for people you may never meet? Let us always remember we are standing on the shoulders of those that came before us – and that there will be others who will need to stand on our shoulders in the future!
Okay, quick flashback to yesterday’s readings – you’ll recall we finished up the readings with David buying Araunah’s threshing floor to build an altar to the Lord to offer sacrifices on to stop the plague (which occurred due to the sin of the census). Well, to continue the story, today in First Chronicles 22 verse 1 we read this: “Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the LORD God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!” This is Araunauh’s threshing floor that is going to be the location for the Temple. The very interesting note about Araunah’s threshing floor is that it is believed to have been located on Mount Moriah! Yes, the same Mt. Moriah where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac. And the same spot where the Temple was to be built by Solomon! So, this brings to light the importance of David actually buying the threshing floor from Araunah and not just taking it for free, as was offered in yesterday’s readings. David not only bought the threshing floor to build the altar for the burnt & peace offerings, but he bought the land for the Temple of the Lord to soon be built on by his son Solomon! Below is an image of Araunah the Jebusite offering his threshing floor to David:
New Testament – Today in Romans chapter 3 verses 22 through 24 we read – “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Please take a moment to re-read these verses and meditate upon them. How do they speak to you? Do you believe that humans are righteous on our own? (One way to consider this is to imagine what a city would look like without a police force, for example – think we would just naturally be good and kind and righteous to each other? Or might there be crime and maybe even anarchy and survival of the fittest – ala Lord of the Flies. . . ) Do you believe God is righteous? Do you believe we can be made righteous before God through faith in Jesus? Have you sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? Are you justified freely by God’s grace and through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ?
I want to focus a bit more on verse 24 because I think this is one of the most important concepts for us to understand: we “are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”Justified. That’s an important word to understand! Per the NIV Study Bible, Paul uses the Greek verb for justified 27 times, mostly in the letters of Romans and Galatians. The term describes what happens when people believe in Jesus as their Savior. God declares them to not be guilty and credits (or imputes) righteousness to them. Jesus’ righteousness is credited to believers as their own, with a few key characteristics that we read in verse 24 (look at this verse above again): 1. It is freely given as a gift, 2. by God’s grace, 3. through the redemptive act of Jesus on the Cross, where He paid the price for our sins and redeemed us, 4. and through faith. Got all this? 🙂 Have you been justified with the free gift of grace and faith through Christ’s redemption? If not, today will you dive into the river of everlasting justification through faith in our Lord Jesus? Please jump into the river of faith!
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans 3 titled “Some Bad News, And Good News” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 12 verses 1 & 2 are intriguing verses for me – “Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and insincere hearts.” Are there days when you feel like this? I think there are some days when I do… but not too many. I guess I sometimes wonder about the state of my heart – or if I’ve gotten enough sleep the night before 🙂 – when I feel like this Psalmist does. It is interesting how this verse goes into people talking with “flattering lips and insincere hearts”. I do notice right away when that’s happening… particularly the insincerity. Maybe this is something we should ask of ourselves – do we talk at times with flattering lips or insincere hearts? Or are we sincere people? I like that thought… being a sincere person. I pray that we all are and can become more and more “sincere” in our dealings with each other and that we would just simply be sincere people. Are you a sincere person? Do you want to be sincere? Was Jesus a sincere person?
Proverbs – Proverbs 19:14 today teaches us: “Parents can provide their sons with an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife.” This is interesting to consider in light of my “standing on the shoulders” comments in First Chronicles above. Parents may try to give us material things, but they can’t provide us with an understanding spouse! A wise wife or husband is a gift from God. Praise God for the gift of understanding spouses in our lives!
Worship Video: Per my reflections on diving into the river of faith in Romans above, check out Steven Curtis Chapman’s video for his awesome song “Dive!”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you realize that you have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Pray that you have or will put your faith in Jesus to take the punishment for your sins on the Cross. Pray that you have repented of your sins and are born again through a saving faith in Jesus.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS: (our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
I Chronicles 22:1-23:32
I’ve always dreamed of doing a Bible Study, or at least a topical study, studying David’s leadership style. I think that it would be so cool to look in a catalogue of a major MBA program and find a course devoted to David and his godly principles, his success, failures and his beliefs.
In reading how David charged Solomon to build the temple, I am impressed how David gives the order and the plans to Solomon but also the materials that he will need. He doesn’t say build it, do it and not provide the necessary means. Whatever Solomon adds to the construction is desert. Managers/leadership should never demand someone to do something without first picking the right people for the job and providing that person with all the material and resources needed for completion.
I’ve always pondered why David wasn’t allowed to build his hearts desire, the Temple. But I now see that you cannot have a building campaign while you are at war because you put a strain on the people who will be fighting and building. Most likely, the same men who are out on the battlefields are the same men needed in the construction. David would also put undue strain on the taxpayers because monies would be needed to pay the construction workers as well as keep the army in the provisions needed to do the job.
Romans 3:9-31
Romans is a difficult book to read. It has taken years and years of reading and rereading to grasp the little bit, I know. Peter said it correctly about Paul,
And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him, speaking of these things in all his letters. Some things in these letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures. (2Pe 3:15-16 NET.)
In this passage, I see that Paul considers no man or woman above anyone or below anyone. He does not classify good sin, like little white lies, or bad sin, sin is sin. I find it captivating that today feminist accuse Paul of being sexiest and condescending to woman. I find Paul’s writing to be freeing and one of my three revelations about the Love of God towards me came on my maiden read-through-the-bible voyage when I docked in Paul’s’ letter to the Church at Galatia. I cried my eyes out, well not really but they were red.
Psalm 12:1-8
If I did not know when this was written I would swear that David’s scathing accusations, flattery, lying lips was pointing to Madison Avenue with its multiplicity of advertising agencies and marketing firms. Solomon wrote,
That which hath been is that which shall be, and that which hath been done is that which shall be done; and there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecc 1:9 JPS)
Flattery was and is a problem yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Liars hate their victims; flatterers sabotage trust. (Pro 26:28 MSG)
Proverbs 19:13-14 14 Parents can provide their sons with an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife.
Sometimes what we marry is not an understanding wife or husband, they may be a wife or a husband we have chosen but if the person is not from God they will not be understanding.
Grace and peace, Ramona
====Missy:
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
I sent this verse to my husband with the subject line that read “Where I came from.” And a smile:-)
Missy
====== Pat:
Being 64 and having studied the Scriptures for more than 40 years, I have really been blessed by our readings in Chronicles as this was one book that I only skimmed over in the past. This morning I am realizing what a tremendous change took place in David’s life when he totally accepted the will of God. As king of Israel, David constantly was torn between his desire to recognize his own power and his desire to recognize God’s power. This is something we all struggle with even now.
Think of all the things David did to misuse the power that came from being king. Just to name a few of them: (1) He satisfied his lustful desire and committed adultery with Bathsheba, (2) He ordered the murder of Bathsheba’s husband, (3) He ordered a census taken just so he could be prideful and boast, (4) He wanted to be the one to receive the glory from building the temple.
God said “NO” to David when he wanted to build the temple and told him that Solomon his son would have that honor instead. David at last totally accepted God’s will and power as being greater than his own desires and David finally put God ahead of and above everything else in his life.
What a different David we see in the study of Chronicles 22 –23! David not only accepted that he would not be the one to build the temple, but he even got in the materials and workmen that Solomon would need to get the job done. David took the time to explain to Solomon the importance of doing God’s will and always obeying the Word of God. Then David did the totally unthinkable – HE TOOK OFF THE CROWN THAT HAD GIVEN HIM ALL THE POWER HE CRAVED AND HE CROWNED SOLOMON AS KING OF ISRAEL! This was something that was just not done – kings were either dethroned because God or the people chose another king to replace them or they remained king until the time of their death. Kings didn’t just willingly and gladly give up the kingship and the power that went with it and turn it over to someone else. Why did David do this – he did it so that time would not be wasted in fulfilling God’s will. He did it because his love of God became greater than his love of self.
WOW! What a new man David became when he made God the center of his life, and what a difference it makes today when we make God the center of our lives. Ever wondered how David could have been held in just high esteem with all his weaknesses and iniquities? Today’s reading tells us why just as reading about Paul’s conversion explains why he is held in such high esteem. Through the total acceptance of our Lord and His word and through the total dedication of our life to the Lord, the Lord will make us into a totally new person! How wonderful and exciting that is! Praise the Lord!
Pat
====== Ramona:
1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children; and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22 JPS)
What I love about this particular passage is the model it leaves us with, God, and thus His children, leaves an legacy for His children. Mike talks about recognizing that we stand on the shoulders of those who went before us, but those who stand before the future generation must realize and accept the responsibility that we must leave an inheritance for those who come after us. God is a God of generations.
Too often, we demand our children to build on a foundation that we have not laid. We have parents that tell their little offspring to “Go to college; Stay in School; Do something with your life; don’t repeat my folly,” yet they fail to give them the tools and materials to accomplish the goals. All around me I see people demanding of their children and others what they are unwilling to do for themselves. However, I do believe that no matter what we have been handed, or haven’t been given, we are responsible for placing into the hands of the next generation tools to help build a successful life for the generations to follow.
David shows us a generational outcome. Yes, Solomon has been chosen by God to do what David desired to do but is commanded not to do, yet David ensures that Solomon has everything needed to build the Temple according to the plans given him. What kind of building materials have I left for the next generation? Have I left tools of construction or deconstruction?
Again, the words of Scripture remind me of my focus for going through the Bible this year, “Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Don’t fight the ways of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?” (Ecclesiastes 7:13)
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Lori:
Good morning Mike, What really stood out to me in todays message is that we should help others even if we do not know them, and that Jesus knows when we do this. Also, the card board box about the women with two small children that lost her house to a fire.Is this true, or is this just a example, the reason I ask, is because this was my 3yr old daughter and I about two months ago,we lost our home to a fire, and people that we did’nt know helped us to get our lifes back together.I believe that I am truley blessed.
Blessing, Lori
====== Jenny:
I love Romans! again. some verses that stood out: v. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
v. 23-24 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” amazing to think about!
yes, there have been days i felt like the psalmist. but yes, just need some serious humbling on my part. oh, and I love that song Dive!
Jenny
====== John:
1 Chronicles 22-23:32
I disagree with Ramona about why David was not allowed to build the Temple. David was denied not because a building campaign would have been too much of a strain during wartime, nor because of any strain on taxpayers.
God is the Creator of the Universe and is sovereign and all-powerful. I think God could have provided a respite from war (in fact He did during Solomon’s reign), and supplied enough funds (Solomon was the wealthiest man on earth at the time) for David to build the temple. God could have provided if it was His Will, but it was not God’s Will.
22:7 David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God. 8 But this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. 9 But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. 10 He is the one who will build a house for my Name.
The temple is to be a place of worship of Jehovah. It is to be a place of peace and rest. therefore it is to a man of peace and rest who will build the Temple – Solomon.
Details are very important to God. The temple is not a place of war, but a place of peace and rest to worship God. If David built it – mankind could say oh yeah, this God of peace and rest – but look at the man of bloodshed, of war who built it. No, the temple, the house of God must have a pristine image. That is why David was not allowed to build it.
God still loved David and gave the Davidic covenant to him and Israel. Solomon sinned, but he was a man of peace and rest for Israel. The House of Woeship, the Temple, would have a pristine image. Yes, sinners would come in, but like it is said today:
The house of God is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for the sick. All you who are weary and sick come in – the Lord provides rest, healing and sustenance.
John
====== David:
I prayed for an understanding wife and I got one. God answers prayers!
David
====== Sheryl:
hi, I want to thank you for this website, it has really helped me to stick with my reading commitment… i just wanted to let you know though that it is The Lord of the Flys, not flies, since flys are a noun and flies is a verb…sorry, I am a teacher and that sort of thing always catches my eye…it was a very good analogy, though
Sheryl
====== Michelle:
You ask why music moves us so profoundly – praise and worship that is… I believe it is because God created music; it is man’s innate desire to praise and worship the Father, thats why we are so moved by it. Considering the fact that there is music in Heaven, the angels sing, the twenty four elders in Heaven worship… so we too shall do that. The Holy Spirit guides me and reveals the Father’s love to me through praise and worship … and for that, I am eternally grateful 🙂 Thank you Father for giving me the opportunity to do what you created man to do.
Michelle
======= Joyce:
Mike and everyone, 1 Chronicles 22:19 Amp Bible – Now set your heart and your soul to seek (inquire of, require as your vital necessity) the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles and utensils of God into the house built for the Name (Presence) of the Lord.” I learned the following from a sermon called Lord Prepare Me, from Elim Community Church, Bath, Maine; may it inspire you too: “How much do we desire to have a sanctuary in our lives unto the Lord? What price will we be willing to pay to know the Lord in the way that we should? A sanctuary is a place in God where I can live the abundant life, where I am not such an easy prey for every wind of doctrine that comes along, nor am I an easy target for Satan’s temptations to sin. It’s a place of safety from the raging storms of life, a place where I can live above sin and above the things of this world. Building that sanctuary requires a lot of work, a lot of dedication and a consecration that many are not willing to give.” 1 Chronicles 22:19 tells us to set our heart and our soul to seek (inquire of, require as our vital necessity) the Lord your God. It’s not and will not be easy, but it will be so worth it. May we by God’s grace work hard to build a sanctuary in our lives unto the Lord!
God bless! Joyce
====== Robert:
1 Chronicles 22
Rights of Passage
I like this part because it shows how to demonstrate trust, love and devotion to your kids. As I get older I want to leave a legacy of some sort and this is a great example of how we are to leave our kids with our riches, dreams and memories, especially when it gives glory to God. I don’t see any remorse on David’s part that he wasn’t allowed to build the temple. He embraced his destiny and gave his son Solomon the reins (reigns) to do it his way. I hope I can do it this way too.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
We have just touched on this narrative last week during our Bible Study. Now, as it was never mentioned last week, it gave me a goose flesh learning that the threshing floor David bought from Araunah was said to be located on Mount Moriah, where Abraham offered Isaac and where Solomon would later build God’s temple.
Indeed, our Omnipresent God can meet us anywhere we are, but he must also have his favorite place meeting his people. He must really have found pleasure in the offering of Abraham that he wants to see more Abraham right there.
Marge
====== Dee:
I love the Noah concept and how God chose ones with a true heart. So as to David that is just a shepherd keeping sheep. Lord sees them all and loves their heart.
I love the verses about the wages of sin being death. Yes I know that’s harsh but I feel people should correct and also not judge but just pray..
Psalm and Proverb: it talks alot about compassion.. and inheritance. It says wives are compassionate but I think it goes both well
Dee
====== John:
Romans 3:9-20
NO ONE IS RIGHTEOUS
[STILL TALKING TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE]
Paul says, ‘Jew or Gentile we are all under sin.’
“under sin”: 1)Man is a sinner by Act. 2)Man is a sinner by nature. (Sinning does not make the sinner, we sin because we are sinners.) 3)Man is a sinner by imputation (later in Romans). 4)The estate of man is under sin. We all are under sin – the entire human family. – J. Vernon McGee
“Under sin is a powerful phrase. It speaks of our slavery to sin, literally meaning “sold under sin.” By nature every person knows what it is like to be a slave to sin, both Jews and Greeks.” – David Guzik ====================================================== This look at the human condition is depressing. What’s the point? The Apostle Paul wants us to understand our complete inability to save ourselves. The fall touches every part of man’s being, and the inventory of body parts corrupted by the fall demonstrates this. – David Guzik
The charges (to mankind before God steps in): 1)”..no one righteous, not even one..”
When God finds none righteous, it is because there are none. It isn’t as if there were some and God couldn’t see them. There has never been a truly righteous man apart from Jesus Christ. “Even Adam was not righteous: he was innocent – not knowing good and evil.” (Newell)
2)”..no one who understands”
Man is unable to comprehend the Truth of God, or grasp His standard of righteousness. – John MacArthur
3)”…no one who seeks God
“We deceive ourselves into thinking that man, on his own, really does seek after God. Don’t all the religion and rituals and practices from the beginning of time demonstrate that man seeks after God? Not at all. If man initiates the search then he doesn’t seek the true God, the God of the Bible. Instead he seeks an idol that he makes himself.” – David Guzik
4)”All have turned away..”
Turned away (their hearts), detoured, like lost sheep.
5)”..they have together become worthless..
The word worthless has the idea of rotten fruit. It speaks of something that was permanently bad and therefore useless.
6) “..there is no one who does good, not even one.”
“All of this is viewed from the divine perspective. This is not to say that a man never does any thing good and kind for his fellow-man. Paul is not saying that men have no good thoughts or aspirations AS JUDGED BY MEN. He is saying that man has nothing to commend himself to God. Man is incapable of doing anything to please God and to earn His approval, for man is born an enemy of God.” [CAPS MINE] http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1169 ======================================================
THE LAW CANNOT SAVE YOU
V.19 “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.” NIV
“Remember that many Jewish people of Paul’s day took every passage of the Old Testament describing evil and applied it only to the Gentiles – not to themselves. Paul makes it clear that God speaks to those who are under the law.” – David Guzik
v.20 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” NIV
Since the standard is too high, no one will be declared righteous by imperfectly observing the Law – What’s the point?
It is to make man aware he is a sinner, that he sins, always has and always will.
[Well, another purpose also – but that is for the next post :)]
John
====== John:
Romans 3:21-26
The Roman poet Horace, laying down some lines of guidance for writers of tragedies in his day, criticizes those who resort too readily to the device of a deus ex machina to solve the knotty problems which have developed in the course of the plot. ‘Do not bring a god on to the stage,’ he says, ‘unless the problem is one that deserves a god to solve it’ (nec deus intersit, nisi dignus uindice nodus inciderit). http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1169
I love this quote from Bob Deffingbaugh. Paul has spent 3.5 chapters banging on mankind. Gentile and Jew. None is righteous. None can earn righteousness. No ritual justifies you. You may think you are righteous, but you are not, etc.
I can imagine a group in Rome sitting around and reading this letter and getting really depressed. But Paul has been creating that “need”, identifying a problem that only God can solve. But How?????
Righteousness Through Faith
God will provide the righteousness. (All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; (Is 64:6a) And God is not taking in dirty laundry. (J. Vernon McGee)
Paul did not invent this concept, it was foretold by Prophets and pointed to by the Law. It is simple idea that had a prolonged and sometimes complex unfolding.
“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
It is for the Jew and Gentile – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Paul develops his teaching about salvation around three themes.
· Justification: an image from the court of law
· Redemption (an image from the slave market)
· Propitiation (an image from the world of religion, appeasing God through sacrifice)
i. Justification solves the problem of man’s guilt before a righteous Judge. Redemption solves the problem of man’s slavery to sin, the world, and the devil. Propitiation solves the problem of offending God our Creator. – David Guzik
vs. 24-25 “..and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.” NIV
. Freely is the Greek word dorean. The way this word is used in other New Testament passages helps us understand the word. Matthew 10:8 (Freely you have received, freely give) and Revelation 22:17 (And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely) show that the word means truly free, not just “cheap” or “discounted.” Perhaps the most striking use of the ancient Greek word dorean is in John 15:25: They hated me without a cause (dorean). Even as there was nothing in Jesus deserving of man’s hatred, so there is nothing in us deserving of justification – all the reasons are in God. – David Guzik
Redemption has the idea of buying back something, and involves cost. However, God pays the cost and so we are justified freely.
i. The word redemption had its origin in the release of prisoners of war on payment of a price and was know as the “ransom.” As time went on, it was extended to include the freeing of slaves, again by the payment of a price. – David Guzik
[But Christianity is more than the above. Redemption is not just the paying of debt – the subtracting of sins – that is forgiveness. That would be just restoring one back to the state of “Adam”. God’s plan is more glorious than that. Justification by faith through the “redemption in Christ” [(KJV)(“in is the prefarable translation)] adds on (imputes) the righteousness of Christ. We are now co-heirs to heaven, children of God, saints (set apart). – ME]
The word for “sacrifice of atonement” is Gk. “hilasterion” – propitiation.
Jesus, by His death (by His blood) was a propitiation (substitute sacrifice) for us. As He was judged in our place, the Father could demonstrate His righteousness in judgment against sin, while sparing those who deserved the judgment.
b. Wuest on propitiation: “The word in its classical form was used of the act of appeasing the Greek gods by a sacrifice . . . in other words, the sacrifice was offered to buy off the anger of the god.”
i. The NIV translates propitiation as sacrifice of atonement; the Living Bible has to take the punishment for our sins.
c. The Greek word for propitiation (hilasterion) is also used in the Septuagint for the mercy seat, the lid that covered the ark of the covenant, upon which sacrificial blood was sprinkled as an atonement for sin. While it might be said that this passage is saying “Jesus is our mercy seat,” it probably has more the straightforward idea of propitiation – a substitute sacrifice.
i. At the same time, the “mercy seat” idea should not be neglected as an illustration of that propitiation. Inside the ark of the covenant were the evidence of man’s great sin: the tablets of law; the manna received ungratefully; the budded rod of Aaron, showing man’s rejection of God’s leadership. Up over the ark of the covenant were the symbols of the holy presence of the enthroned God in the beautiful gold cherubim. In between the two stood the mercy seat, and as sacrificial blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), God’s wrath was averted because a substitute had been slain on behalf of sinners coming by faith. We really can say that Jesus is our “mercy seat,” standing between guilty sinners and the holiness of God. – David Guzik
Vs 25b “…because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-“
God, in His forbearance, had passed over the sins of those Old Testament saints who trusted in the coming Messiah. At the cross, those sins were no longer passed over, they were paid for.
i. The idea is that through the animal sacrifice of the Old Testament, those who looked in faith to the coming Messiah had their sins “covered” by a sort of an “IOU” or promissory note. That temporary covering was redeemed for full payment at the cross. – David Guzik
vs.26b “..so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” NIV
At the cross, God demonstrated His righteousness by offering man justification (a legal verdict of “not guilty”), while remaining completely just (because the righteous penalty of sin had been paid at the cross).
i. It’s easy to see how God could only be just – simply send every guilty sinner to hell, as a just Judge. It’s easy to see how God could only be the justifier – simply tell every guilty sinner, “I declare a pardon. You are all declared ‘not guilty.’” But only God could find a way to be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
ii. “Here we learn that God designed to give the most evident displays of both his justice and mercy. Of his justice, in requiring a sacrifice, and absolutely refusing to give salvation to a lost world in any other way; and of his mercy, in providing the sacrifice which his justice required.” (Clarke)
John
====== John:
Romans 3:27-31
Boasting
We cannot boast. We did nothing to EARN this rigteousness from God.
vs. 28 “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”
No room for boasting! This, of course, is why the natural man hates being justified freely by His grace; it absolutely refuses to recognize his (imagined) merits and gives no place to his pride whatsoever. – David Guzik
“Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.”
This solution of God – justification by faith through the redemption that came by Christ. It does not void the Law – it validates it.
Christ fulfilled the prophecies of Old Testament, Christ was the only one to fully obey the Law – the fianl act of obeidiance was providing the final “innocent” blood sacrifice so that all men could be redeemed. Christ is our kinsman-redeemer.
Old Testament – In First Chronicles 21 we read about David taking a census after being tempted by Satan. Satan didn’t force David to do this – Satan tempted him and David fell prey to the temptation. This census was a sin because David was seeking to demonstrate how mighty “his” army was – when he should have realized all that he had came from God and that David’s true strength came from God and not his army. The census was a sin of pride. (And it is very interesting to note that Joab, who is not one known for his scruples, realizes this census is a sin!) And so we read in verses 14 & 15 – “So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand people died as a result. And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But just as the angel was preparing to destroy it, the LORD relented and said to the death angel, “Stop! That is enough!” At that moment the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”
New Testament – Paul’s writings in Romans 3 verses 7 & 8 today are so powerful for us to remember always: “”But,” some might still argue, “how can God judge and condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” If you follow that kind of thinking, however, you might as well say that the more we sin the better it is! Those who say such things deserve to be condemned, yet some slander me by saying this is what I preach!” Have you ever thought in any way along the lines of “well, it doesn’t really matter if I sin?” This is such risky thinking. Let me highly encourage you to read the Bible to see what it says about sin and in particular these early chapters in Romans. In reading these chapters in Romans do you see the risk, and really the stupidity, in continuing in unchecked sin?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “No Excuse for the Jews” is at this link.
Psalms – Today we read Psalm 11, which is one that you might miss the full meaning of if you didn’t know some of the commentary behind this Psalm. Basically in this Psalm King David is expressing his unshakable trust in God to other people around him who are very scared of enemy attacks. Knowing this – check out verse 1: “I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly to the mountains for safety!” Like David, do we really trust in God for our protection? Or do we sometimes rely on others or our own cunning – or, our own fear – for protection? Are there times when we are faced with a challenging situation that we feel like running away from it? “Fleeing to the mountains” for safety? When, instead, should we simply trust in God for our protection and move forward in spite of the fear within us? Is there an area of your life where you need to turn over more trust in God for ultimate protection? Will you flee to God only instead of fleeing to the mountains?
Proverbs – Proverbs 19 verse 11 is a bit challenging for me: “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.” I can see the point of restraining our anger. But overlooking wrongs… I guess I’m having a hard time with this one. I believe there is a point where we do need to speak the truth in love to someone about their wrongs. If we simply overlooked their wrongs, then would we really be doing them any favors? I mean, I guess we would be keeping the peace by overlooking wrongs, but I’m just thinking there is a time and place to speak the truth in love. In love. Not in anger. Let me know what you think on this one? I know just recently I posted up about not getting into an argument with a friend over the way he left a voicemail to me with a bad tone. And that seemed to be the right thing to do, and correlated with a recent Proverb we read. And today’s Proverb indicates we earn esteem by overlooking wrongs. I see where this Proverb is often / generally true – but is it always true? Let me know your thoughts on this in the Comments below if you will! Thanks!
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Romans reminds me of Jeremy Camp’s song “Let it Fade:”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.” Psalm 11:7 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are living an upright life. Pray that you are seeking justice. Pray that you will one day see our righteous God face to face.
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 Chronicles 19:1-21:30
21 24But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying what it is worth. I cannot take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not offer a burnt offering that has cost me nothing!”
No matter how many times I’ve read this verse, it always takes my breath away causing me to search my soul and ask myself, “Have I offered up to God burnt offerings that cost me nothing?” Have I taken what does not belong to me and given it to God? These are sobering questions and most of the time I find answers I really do not want to claim ownership.
Romans 2:25-3:8 If one could be circumcised outwardly, as a representation of what was has happened on the inside, yet be uncircumcised in heart, then the outward signs Christians use to identify themselves to others as Christians, me included, can hide an empty shell of an unregenerate believer. Uhg!
The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceeding weak – who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. (Jer 17:9-10 JPS)
God always knows the truth about us, the real truth and is not afraid to tell us what we need to hear.
Psalm 11:1-7
Mike, thank you for the insight about this Psalm, it helps to understand that David went through the same struggles I go through in dealing with friends who try to convince you to take the easy way out when God is telling you to go in a different direction.
Proverbs 19:10-12
Mike maybe verse eleven, Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense (AMP), Should go with or be seen in the light of the twelfth verse, The king’s wrath is as terrifying as the roaring of a lion, but his favor is as [refreshing as] dew upon the grass (AMP).
Both verses deal with rage/anger and favor or ignoring something. When you have a king or leader who makes decisions or judgments out of rage and anger without thinking things through then people are placed in harms way because the government is not stable. Then the king or leader will be the talk of every conversation in the country and not seen in a favorable light.
Maybe I’m way out in left field but Proverbs can be tricky reading. There are verses that appear to be disjointed but if one takes a step back and gives another look a connection can be seen. In the Amplified Bible’s translation, the first verse implies that these are a kind of puzzle,
THE PROVERBS (truths obscurely expressed, maxims, and parables) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
I believe this implies reading this book may mean you have to get your hands dirty by digging and mining through all the verses
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Ramona:
Hi Mike,
I will need to think on this for a while but one thing I know, in the Hebrew usually the word translated to English as Transgression, is not the same as the one for Sin. Could this possibly be a personal boundary violation and not the doing something wrong “sin?”
Boundary issues can be a simple as someone who is an acquaintance thinking they have access to your personal information or info that is not privy to them because of their relationship. Example: When I was involved in teaching a Bible Study to homeless men, who happened to me sexual predators, I was very aware that I needed to have a strong sense of decorum around them no hugs, no physical signs of affection: you get the drift.
One day one of these men saw me hug and kiss on the check someone who used to be a co-worker, in fact the former Comptroller of my school who was a Christian. d We would mutually encourage each other and pray in times of strife and acrimony on the job. I hadn’t seen this gentleman in about three years and we by happenstance ran into each other. After we converses for about half-an-hour on the street and we went our ways, one of the Bible Study Members, walked up to me and demanded I should do the same thing to him.
Well three weeks after I began that study, this gentleman tried to get up a posse to gang-rape me, to put me in my place, which I latter, way latter, found out they had done before to someone else and the church did nothing about it because, “We after all are supposed to forgive our brothers.” Forgiveness and holding someone accountable for their actions are two separate things I think we get the two confused and mix up boundary violations with out right sin, which it could turn out to be if left un-checked.
I will think on your questions regarding this Proverb throughout the day. [Mike go back and read the question you wrote when you first began this blog, or at least when I joined at the beginning of the year, and you will see that the complexity of your inquiries to the readers and your insights have exploded exponentially. God is indeed blessing you in your spiritual life so that you can be a blessing to others.]
Grace and peace Ramona
====== Stacey:
Prov 19:11 11People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.
I liked what Vance said. I believe that this scripture points out the need for walking in the Spirit and seeing the fruits of the Spirit grow in your life. Gal 5:22. Several places in the New Testament talk about New Life in Christ and how the two fold process is to 1)put to death the natural man and his way of thinking and responding and 2) put on new life in Christ. Look at Eph 4:17-5:21 and Col 3:12-14. Humility, kindness, compassion and generousity are all actions of intentionality. I choose to be this way. I choose to overlook an offense and show humility and kindness to someone else. One reason for intentionally setting my heart to overlook offenses is so that the enemy cannot use this as an open door to tempt me to get angry.When I get angry, the enemy has turned me around to walking in the flesh. To get back on track, I need to repent and turn around again and ask God to put me back on the path of walking in His Holy Spirit. I’ve found it easier over time to avoid the battle of my own flesh vs. Spirit as much as possible. Col 3:12-14 speaks of clothing and putting on virtues. I believe that means getting up each morning and intentionally choosing to walk in all of God’s ways. If you are blessed enough, as I am, to work in a very worldly occupation, then offenses will come up all day long that need to be overlooked and responded to with the virtues of walking in the Holy Spirit. It is quite often on the spot that I must call out to the Lord in prayer, “please Lord, give me the right words to say. Keep me O Lord walking with You in ways that honor You.” and then do what the Lord tells me to do and say what the Lord tells me to say. Intentionally…as 1Thess 4:11-12 11Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Make it your ambition–put on New Life in Christ each day with intentionality. May God bless you richly this day.
Stacey
====== Pat:
My thoughts on Proverbs 19:11 – Life is a balance scale with love on one side and detest on the other. The situations we face in life can easily tip the scale one way or the other. As Christians we must constantly strive to see that the scale tips in favor of love and not of detest. That does not mean that we have to either like or accept what others do wrongly to us or other people who are hurt, but that we must expend more energy on loving than dwelling on what was wrong. The more serious the wrongdoing, the harder to balance the scale. For instance, in the case of an abusive relationship of any type, the person being abused is neither encouraged nor expected to overlook the abuse and stay in the abusive relationship. However, unless the one being abused can strive to keep love alive in his/her life, the abuse will become the center of all thoughts and emotions. It will build a wall separating the abused one from being able to love or trust anyone including God. We must overlook wrongdoings in so far as we prohibit them from controlling our lives but that does not mean that the wrongdoing is either justifiable or acceptable!
Pat
====== Michelle:
5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.
And yet there is so much violence in the OT. When something needs to be accomplished–God sends (or allows?) war to accomplish the end desired.
The incredible amount of war and slaughter in the OT makes it hard for me to wrap my heart and mind around how God–who is unchanging–can also be the one responsible for using war to accomplish his purposes. Jesus could have come to throw off the yoke of Roman oppression, but instead he became victorious over it by his submission to the death and then (of course!!) his resurrection. He told Peter that he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. He extended the Kingdom of God to Gentiles–he did not start a campaign to wipe them out.
I feel that I am not articulating this fully, but it’s been on my mind so much because of our readings.
Michelle
====== John:
Michelle,
There was a comment by David Guzik for Romans 3 that applies to your question – it addresses the idea of “Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?”
“In theory, the most dramatic example of someone who might ask this question is Judas. Can you hear Judas make his case? “Lord, I know that I betrayed Jesus, but You used it for good. In fact, if I hadn’t done what I did, Jesus wouldn’t have gone to the cross at all. What I did even fulfilled the Scriptures. How can You judge me at all?” The answer to Judas might go like this: “Yes, God used your wickedness but it was still your wickedness. There was no good or pure motive in your heart at all. It is no credit to you that God brought good out of your evil. You stand guilty before God.” – David Guzik
God used the tribes of Israel to wage war on tribes in Canaan as the judgment and punishment for those that reject God. Rahab was spared and said ‘we know of your God”, they had heard and knew about the God of Israel – yet instead of seeking Him they rejected Him. The judgment was righteous and it also showed the Glory of God by using an unknown nomadic group to defeat the powers in the area.
When attacked and God was consulted He brought Israel great victories. David never lost a battle. The attackers were utilizing free will and the disposition of their hearts when attacking Israel – God used their disposition to bring Israel victories.
When Israel continually sinned against God, they were attacked and carried off – Assyria, Babylon, Romans…. Again this was the judgment of God who used the pre-disposed disposition of warlike conquering entities to fulfill his purposes and plan for judgment on Israel. Yet, a remnant (varying sizes) would be preserved. Most nations of that size would never have survived those kinds of dispersions. they would have been assimilated and forgotten.
Finally, Jesus’ death and resurrection was not a victory over Rome oppression – it was a victory over death and Satan. Jesus’ way is the way of God (He is God) – the gospel is the mission – it is never to be spread by the sword. Of course man, being screwed up their were abuses of Jesus’ message (the inquisition, Crusades, etc.) – but that was done by leaders who were either not “true believers” – or let the “desires of the world” take over their thought instead of keeping their eye heavenward.
In the end the judgment and bloodshed in Revelations will make the Old Testament seem like a picnic in the park. That of course will be God’s judgment in toto.
I probably left out some Old Testament examples, but they can all be explained in the same pattern as the three examples given above.
John
====== Romayne:
Thanks John – I equally needed to hear that answer once more to remind myself of the very same truths, as I’ve equally grappled with the same question, and although I just accepted it, never could quite figure it out adequately, and never got round to researching either. Appreciated :))
Romayne
====== Paul:
You asked about “overlooking wrongs”. I consistently believe that there are items in life that rise to the level of confrontation with another person. A proverb is not an absolute command but rather a principle upon which to build our lives. So I would say to you that for the most part, it is good to overlook a wrong, that is forgiveness. I would also say that if a brother contiues to sin, go and reprove them in private (Matt. 18:15); but before you go… I believe there is a process we must go through and that is the process of forgiveness. Forgiveness and restoration of fellowship are two things that I believe Jesus enforces here. I tell church members constantly who may complain about someone else… have you spoken with them? (No) they say… well then cease the gossip and either forgive and overlook the offense or go talk with them and work it out. The rantings of a pastor.
Paul
====== Ramona:
1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30
I couldn’t help notice that through this read I became intrigued by the actions of Hanun the son of King Nahash of the Ammonites. Like Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, Hanun took counsel from a set of advisers who gave him the wrong information and set into action a conflict that would end in great damage. Hanun’s choice ended in war with Israel; Rehoboam’s choices ended in the division of Israel into two nations and civil war.
Who in my life have I set up as advisers? Do the ones I go to counsel out of the Wisdom of God or do they counsel out of their own intellect, worldly wisdom? Do I rely on the Holy Spirit to discern between foolish counsel and wise counsel?
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20 KJV)
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Nicole:
I think in the Proverbs reading.. We do earn our esteem by overlooking wrongs. Yes, there is a point where we do have to speak the truth IN LOVE, but for the most part, we have to overlook it. If we constantly feel the urge to “speak the truth” we really have to ask ourselves and make sure we are doing it in love and not in anger.. I have problems with that too. I’m learning to take it day by day, minute by minute… I’m in a situation to where I’ve been asking God to help me overlook!! But thats what I think.. Hope it helps ya out
Nicole
====== Brandie:
o me I know God protects me no matter where I am. For example, during tornado season he protects my family during those times and I am praying for him to protect me and my family just because I am not a fan of the twisting dust that comes out of the sky. I also have enough sense to get into some kind of shelter when need be.
People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs. Would this be by always finding the good in people..cause that is what I do…but if not let me know if I am in the ‘wrong’…
Brandie
====== Suzan:
In reading this passage, I reflect on a situation I recently encountered. I believe to overlook does not mean to dismiss…but rather, during the heat of the moment (argument/situation), to remain non-judgmental and do-not act on in an immediate sense, rather…overlook and reflect, pray. Deal with the situation/words at a later date after having reflected in fairness and love.
Suzan
====== Pam:
Yeah, Proverbs was confusing at first glance. I think the writer is referring to us being a ppl of forgiveness, not holding anger, or the such, in our hearts. Silly little disagreements/spats (offenses), need to just be brushed aside at times. I dont believe he is referring to ppl who are commiting sins, that we just turn a blind eye to it, because thats not what scripture says we are to do. I think the word “offense” is clearer. But no matter what, if I am sinned against, its my benefit to forgive that person who wronged me; its better for me ultimately and its a good witness. So I think the key word here is: forgiveness.
Pam
====== Lisa:
Relationship and Obedience: Seems like David must have skipped his time with Jesus that day. Yes, it was a favor that God sent someone to warn him. We keep trying to “fix” the old life- God offers us something new. We keep wanting to lean on our own understanding and “count” our positives in the situation instead of remembering “God’s will be done” God’s will was for David to trust Him- David chose to disobey and learned the hard way. Obedience is better than sacrifice. And it’s our way or His High Way of loving, trusting, knowing Him through being obedient. Sometimes overlook, sometimes pray, sometimes confront, but always obey. I’m working on it, and He is patient with me.
Lisa
====== Constantino:
…God’s judgement comes on a proper time…we should not measures God’s fidelity on us…i am quite pretty sure God is watching us and wieghts the things we have done,and others have done to us…He is just waiting…for us to surrender our anxiety’s to HIM…and He promised, He is with US,now and for always,…till we get the proper justice… justice
Constantino
====== Greg:
In the King James the word in Proverbs 19:11 is translated transgression. The Ungers Bible dictionary says the following about transgression “Sometimes used synonymously with sin, but sometimes used in a distinctive sense as indicating a violation of the law through ignorance, e.g., Exodus 34:7; Romans 4:25. All sin is transgression, but all transgression is not sin in the sense of incurring guilt.” — New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. I would see that as we do not need to be a tattle tell for every specific occurrence where someone is ignorant.
Greg
====== Johnnie:
In regard to Ramona’s comment about a church having ignored a group of predators raping a teacher because “we after all are supposed to forgive our brothers,” this is wrong. We as individual believers are commanded to forgive our brothers for their sins against us (which as Ramona says does not preempt personal responsibility.) We have NO authority whatsoever to forgive sins against others! None. There’s a powerful point in the story of Jesus’ healing of the paralyzed man lowered through the roof into the crowded house where Jesus was teaching, found in Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26. When Jesus saw “their” faith (of the paralyzed man and his friends? Or of his friends?), he said to the paralyzed man “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7″Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” He said to the paralytic, 11″I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (That’s the Mark version.) Jesus did not deny what the Pharisees were thinking. It was and is blasphemy for people to forgive sins committed against someone else. That is God’s prerogative, a right reserved to himself alone. Jesus was demonstrating his divinity by forgiving the man’s sins, then backing it up by healing his paralysis in everyone’s plain sight. But Christians too often forget the original point that God alone can forgive sins(though our personal forgiveness against those who have wronged us is demanded.) I frequently see this in the context of someone who has committed a very serious crime against society such as murder and is facing harsh punishment, but who has come to be regarded as a pitied, sympathetic character. People call on the state or nation to exercise “Christian forgiveness” by not executing the punishment demanded by the law. That cannot be justified on scriptural grounds. A victim can (and must, if Christian) forgive the perpetrator for their personal hurt. But society must enforce justice according to the law, for only God can forgive. The church cannot forgive what was done to an individual.
Johnnie
====== Debbie:
I think the first line of that proverb gives the answer to your question: A man’s wisdom gives him patience; Through wisdom we will know when to overlook a matter and when to confront a matter. As a teacher, children constantly test me to see what my response will be. Oftentimes my response is to “ignore” because that’s the wise thing to do. Many times a child will misbehave for attention and if he realizes his misbehavior is not going to get him the attention he wants, he begins to behave. However, when a child’s misbehavior will effect the entire class, I must deal with the issue at hand.
Debbie
====== Wendy:
I had to forgive my ex-husband of molesting our daughter of 2 years. The law did nothing but I cannot pass judgement. That is God’s doing. I cannot harbor hatred in my heart…..it is not easy as now she is 32. However, I see pain in her life due to this act. I know God is working in her life and she has to learn to forgive as well. That is one of my prayers.
Wendy
====== Janice:
forgiveness begins with the pure truth….those who have committed crimes against others will have to be judged on their sins…we as a society have been given morls to live by…..let God alone do the judging….forgiveness will heal the world
Janice
====== Lori:
Overlooking wrongs is something I struggle with too. I think God is trying to teach me about restraining my anger when I am wronged. I think it is particularly hard to “overlook a wrong” when someone continually is committing wrong to me. Forgiveness is something God’s really teaching me about now, also, which relates to this. I know Jesus said to forgive “seventy times seven.” I think there is a correlation in this proverb about being slow to anger and overlooking a transgression. If I am slow to anger, then I will be more inclined to overlook a transgression. I do also think there is a time to speak the truth to others in love. When that becomes hard, I think, is when the other person does not want to hear the truth, even in love. Maybe then I am supposed to overlook some things. But this is hard, again, especially if the offense is continual. This is definitely a proverb to ponder on.
Lori
====== David:
David played the role of the villain and still remained King. I think we choose whether we want to remain sheep or Kings. As sheep we remain at the mercy of the King sometimes even being punished because of what the King did. But we choose to be sheep. It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! But it says in Ephesians that we are Sons of God. How many times do we choose to be the sheep, the slave, the fool! Just a thought, If David can still call himself King after playing the villain, Then why not do we call ourselves Kings? The Bible says we are!
David
====== Jackie:
Wow, this is sort of a tough one because the Bile is truth and we are suppose to live according to it,however this is where I think we can get into a little trouble with our own interpertation of things. I agree with Ramona that there is a personal boundary and the act of sin, I don’t think that we are doing person any favor if we continually turn the other cheek and not let them know in “love”that they have hurt or offended someone.
This in not okay in my opinion because some people are so quick to say well “that’s just me” take it or leave it and they don’t grow from the hurt and pain they are causing in turn really creating more strife between you, wheter we acknowledge it openly or not and it can destroy trust and friendships that could be greater than the one you have. So for me the bottom line is sometimes people must be told and held accountable for their actions or you choose not to have a repeat offender in your life unless they know the bountries. Just my thought.
Jackie
====== Frederick:
1 Chronicles 21:24
24 But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”
David refused to take the field and sacrificed at the expense of other people. David insisted to offered sacrifice out of his own. In a spiritual sense, do we worship God out of our convenience, or we pay the spiritual price to worship God?
Frederick
====== Ray:
Proverbs 19:11 New International Version (NIV) 11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
James 3:17 New International Version (NIV) 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Proverbs 19:11 made me think of James 3:17. I have been digesting James 3:17 for the past 2 weeks. Here is my struggle. How do I overlook an offense, and still be pure/honest? Specifically, do I say “everything is fine” ie. overlook the offense, when it is not fine. I am not being honest; but I am overlooking the offense. This is a tough one.
Ray
====== Charles:
Hi Mike
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and this is my second time thru. Thank you for your service and it has inspired me to go thru Gods Word!
Regarding overlooking wrongs, this is a topic that my wife and I discuss often. Justice and mercy, an initial comment: In my mind overlooking wrong means not requesting the punishment due for the wrong doer, not necessarily acting as if nothing happened. This would allow opportunity to correct the wrong without enforcing the penalty. Could discuss further if you like…
Thanks again, Charles
====== Mary:
Hi Mike, Was considering the question of overlooking a wrong committed and I was thinking in terms similar to Charles. As well as thinking in terms of a personal wrong. Rather than seeking justice or exacting a punishment to fit the crime we are encouraged to extend grace to that person. And we leave the justice of it in the hands of our Father and trust the outcome to Him. My first time here. I like it and hope to return soon. Thanks so much. Mary
====== Bev:
First your daily blog is amazing… However to answer your question regarding Proverbs 19:11, yes I believe it is ALWAYS true because I believe the Word of God is always true. I agree with Ramona in that “wrong” is an offense against you or even someone else but I go even further and strongly believe that “overlooking” is similar to “forgiving”.
I just noticed in the Amplified translation it even states ‘transgression or offense.’ Thanks for such a thought provoking question.
Bev
====== Patricia:
I believe this requires much wisdom. We may forgive the child predator, but we certainly don’t let them go on sinning without placing them under the laws of the land. We may forgive an abusive spouse, but we don’t allow them to continue to destroy body and soul. On the other hand if it is just our feelings that are hurt or our wishes thwarted we may do well to remember that we are “dead” in Christ and dead people have no rights. Let’s pray as Jesus and Stephan did-“Forgive them for they know not what they do” and ask that God not lay the charges of their offenses against them. John 20:23
Patricia
====== Joyce:
Mike and everyone, 1 Chronicles 21 (Amplified Bible) 21:1 “Satan [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel.” 21:2 “David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it.” Satan can stir up ideas in our head. i wonder if King David struggled with following through with this idea? 21:3 “And Joab answered… But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt upon Israel?” Sometimes God may send people to stop us in our path of sin. When that happens, may we humble ourselves and heed these advises! 21:14 NLT “So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel, and 70,000 people died as a result.” What a lesson this is for us – Satan stirred up a thought in David; David decided to carry out that thought despite words from Joab; then when sin is full-fledged carried out, its consequences are so horrific, affected so many. David probably never would have imagined all these repercussions when he decided to take the census? Ephesians 5:15 NLT “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” May God have mercy on us – as we go through different thoughts each day, may He help us discern which ones are from Him, and which are not. May He give us spiritual insights to see the harm and damage sin brings, so we may flee from sin and hate sin, instead of yielding to it. in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Sincerely, Joyce
====== Barry:
Overlooking wrongs is an expression of Christian love as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 ‘love keeps no record of wrong’. We do nobody any good by constantly pointing out their faults and reminding them of their failings. Speaking the truth in love is such a dangerous phrase. We must be very careful that we don’t call judgement upon ourselves as we ‘correct’ others.
I would encourage readers to show truth with love 99.9999% more than SPEAKING truth in love to correct a brother.
Barry
====== Susan:
Well Mike I believe this proverb is about wisdom. I also believe Jesus is our example. He died for all of us. What ever the wrong doing, we need to remember Jesus looks at the heart and judges. Our job is to be forgiving and help others see the mercy of Christ and how we are to live our lives. We need to ask Jesus for wisdom to share the right words. This is easier said than done. We let emotional baggage get in our way. In the end God’s way is our wisdom. Leading someone to the feet of Jesus is more important than our agendas. Picking up our cross and following Him isn’t an easy journey.
Susan
====== William:
It’s not my job to correct all wrongs with my words. I don’t have to ‘speak the truth’ in love in most cases. It is my job to be the truth and be love to the world. Lord let my actions be the truth in love.
William
====== Charles:
Overlooking wrongs… A practical tough question, which gets at the tension between justice and mercy in our lives. Even in today’s 1 Chronicles reading, it seems to be a mixture. David commits a wrong to census. Justice demands punishment, and 70,000 people die. Mercy spares the punishment from the wrong-doer. In this case, David does not die, as well as many more people, when God relents from judgement. So from this example, overlooking wrong means sparing complete punishment against the wrong-doer. It does not mean, not speaking about the offense to the wrong-doer. In this case, David knew exactly what he did wrong. All this is done out of God’s love for His people and David (His anger was restrained). What do you think?
Charles
====== Linda:
Hello: I am thinking “overlooking wrongs” is not about overlooking sin, but things that maybe irritate us or small faux pas that people commit – crazy drivers, kids who say things that may be better talked about when all have cooled off. Often our own emotions and feelings rise up immediately and could lead to a big conflagration, but putting some space between could allow for more fruitful resolution. Blessings, Linda
====== Kristine:
Mike,
A verse that is powerful, but one that I had never noticed before – I Chronicles 19:13, Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.” I love this – Be Strong! Be Brave! And then leave it to God. This should be a rallying call for Christians everywhere – everyday as they wake in the morning to face the world. We do our part and God will do his.
Blessings Kristine
====== Joe:
It’s funny. One of my verses today was 1 Peter 4:8, “Be fervent in love because live covers a multitude of sins” I need HS leading to know when to “cover” and when to “confront”. Both be done with a motive of love a d edification, not to tear one down
Joe
====== Robert:
Romans 3:7-8
These are such great theological verses that Paul tries to explain because the concepts are so easy to get wrong and really need to be nailed down. “…the worse we are, the better God likes it!” (MSG). It stimulates great conversations as my son and I had over this concept. I recently watched a Netflix movie about Rasputin adviser in the court of Czar Nicholas II of Russia. and saw how easily it was to pervert peoples ways of thinking, especially about sinful things. His ideas about salvation came from other “thinkers” before.
I quote Goodreads: “Ilya Kovylin, a Moscow merchant born in 1731 and one of the founders of the Old Believer sect of the Fedoseevtsy, taught his followers that “without sin there is no repentance, without repentance no salvation. There will be many sinners in heaven.” It was Kovylin who coined the famous (or infamous) phrase “If you don’t sin, you don’t repent, if you don’t repent, you can’t be saved.” This Kovylin is immensely important, for his words have mistakenly been attributed to Rasputin, as if he spoke them first, having himself created some new perversion, when in fact they have a much older tradition and represent an idea shared by various sectarian groups.” ― Douglas Smith, Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs
Mike, I too believe we should speak the truth in love to people in our life. I think it is a situation where we must “choose our battles”. Is this something that will continue to happen if we don’t address it? If we were that person would we want to be told that what we did or are doing is bothering someone in our life? My perspective is YES! I would want to know. Let me know your thoughts on this approach to Proverbs 19:11. In Christ, Tracey
====== Ron:
Prov. 19:11 – We all would like to think that we should set others straight when it comes to their actions, attitudes, etc. So, we would be better off ‘overlooking’ another’s offense. Not to do so will lead to other sin: anger, bitterness, judgementalism.
Ron
====== Dee:
The position of pride in 1st Chronicles with David today. I believe we all have been there. We all want to believe we are driven by God to choose something impulsive when in truth we were listening to the wrong voice. Make sure to be still and listen to that still small voice and not have any ulterior motive.
Romans..learning about our motives and our actions..being responsible and owning our heritage in Christ.
Psalm in David’s battles he comes out on the other side. His story isn’t over. Neither is ours
Our actions and motives. I have a hard time not telling the truth when others are wrong in love. I overlook too much and at what cost? I believe it is important to tell in love the actions especially when it is affecting others. In the end, others suffer if you willing see it and don’t express concern.
Dee
====== Jack:
I think it just means “to forgive and forget.”
Jack
====== Dawn:
Proverbs 19 verse 11: “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.”
I believe this refers to gaining esteem by overlooking wrongs WHEN we’re restraining our anger. The semi-colon connects the seemingly unrelated statements.
If we’re angry, we would be better served to overlook the wrong that made us angry TEMPORARILY. We gain esteem from others because we don’t mis-speak because of our anger. We wait – and then address the wrong in love at a later time.
I know I’ve seen folks ‘explode’ in anger over a ‘wrong’ and I’ve lost a bit of respect because it usually isn’t pretty.
Dawn
======= John:
Romans 2:1-16
Chapter 1: Reveals the unrighteousness of man Chapter 2: Reveals the self-righteousness of man
IMPORTANT: Paul is not addressing Salvation here, he is talking about God’s Judgment. He is not addressing anyone who has been saved in Christ. He is still in the preamble showing why mankind needs the Gospel.
Five Principles of God’s Judgment: 1) God’s judgment based on truth. 2) Judge according to man’s deeds. 3) Sin without law will perish without law. Sin in the law will be judged by the law. 4) Not hearer’s of the law, but doers of the law. are justified (righteous). 5) If no law, but follow a natural law written in their hearts, their conscience will be their witness before God. ====================================================== Paul thouroughly showed the unrighteousness of man in chapter 1.
There is discussion on whether Chapter 2 is addressing moralist, Jews, or both.
Regardless, there were people who would say, “You go Paul, those people you are talking about in Chapter 1 are wicked. They need help.”
JUDGMENT IS GOD’S BUSINESS NOT MANS Not so fast Paul says, in opening chapter 2: Don’t be so fast to pass judgment on the people described in Chapter 1. By passing judgment you show you know right from wrong (moralist) or the law (Jews).
You are condemning yourself because you know right from wrong (or the law) and yet you to do the same types of things. Because YOU think you are good person – do you think your sins are going to be missed by God? Do you think because you prosper that God is ok with your life? You should be on your knees thanking God and seeking Him.
Instead mankind is stubborn and has an unrepentant heart (turned from God) and is storing up wrath until the day of God’s Righteous Judgment.
[God’s judgment will be based on Truth. The Truth has been revealed in Jesus Christ. All the fancy machinations of man to try and justify themselves will be for naught. The Truth is – you reject Jesus – you are condemned. It is just a matter of what will be the judgment. Doesn’t matter how many times you pray, how many rituals and rites you perform, how much you give to charity, how many times you do inherantly good acts, etc. – ME] ====================================================== The next part is important, because some people will claim – Aha! Paul is talking about “salvation by works”. No. remember Paul is talking about judgment. He is creating the need for the Gospel.
God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
To the Jews and moralists who have knowledge of the Law and “right and wrong”. God will judge you by what you did – and HERE are his STANDARDS.
If you steadfastly do good – seeking to reflect the glory of God, earn God’s honor, and seek purity (incorruptable life) – well – you get eternal life.
[Problem is just like the Law in the Old Testament this standard is impossible for man to achieve. Second Problem the self-righteous addressed in this chapter are not seeking God. There has to be another way – and Paul reveals it later in Romans. – ME]
But if you reject God, seek your own way, do the same type of things listed in Chapter 1 – you will receive wrath and anger. Because no one can satisfy God’s high standard above – all fall in this category. ====================================================== Paul wraps up this section before addressing the Jews specifically by:
Knowing the Law or not knowing the Law – you will be judged.
If you know the law only if you obey it will you be declared righteous – just as impossible as the “good” standard above.
If you don’t know it – you obey some kind of ethical code based on innate knowledge of being in the “image” of God. Your conscience will be your testimony.
Paul’s prognosis is not good for anybody that rejects God. There are no excuses.
I have a question for God and Paul when I see him: Are the “absolutes” of all who sin apart from the law – pointed at the Roman Empire’s populace, civilized world of the time, or everybody everywhere? I truly don’t know, and probably will not resolve this question in my lifetime.
NOTE: I still think that in the jungles, islands, and tundras etc. that if inhabitants are seeking God to the extant they understand their revelation of God – God will judge fairly and justly. ======================================================
Disclaimer:
There is an alternate explanation of verse 7 – but to me it takes a lot of mental gymnastics to make the “explanation fit”. I prefer to look at this as a logically progressing argument – hence I took a straightforward approach on verse 7. The idea being there is no way the self-righteous can justify themselves before God.
Also, I am journaling here, and working my way through Romans. If someone thinks I am way off base – it will not hurt my feelings to point out disagreement.
John
====== John:
Romans 3:1-8
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS So what advantages to being a Jew? – many – Nation of Israel is God’s chosen people, God made wonderful promises (covenants) to the patriarchs, God entrusted them with His Word, God promised them a Redeemer,etc. Much was given to Israel, (and much was expected).
Shouldn’t the lack of faithfulness on Israels part nullify God’s faithfulness? Nope. God sent the Redeemer as he said, and His covenants will be fulfilled. How many times in Old Testament readings did we read ‘[God speaking] I am not doing this for you, or because you merit it – but because I PROMISED your forefathers.’
God will be true to his word and fulfill all he promised. We as Christians would not have it any other way. For if God went back on his word to the Jewish people, why couldn’t He go back on his word regarding Salvation. ====================================================== [REMEMBER THIS IS ABOUT JUDGMENT NOT SALVATION] vs 5-6 “But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?” NIV
[Repost] In theory, the most dramatic example of someone who might ask this question is Judas. Can you hear Judas make his case? “Lord, I know that I betrayed Jesus, but You used it for good. In fact, if I hadn’t done what I did, Jesus wouldn’t have gone to the cross at all. What I did even fulfilled the Scriptures. How can You judge me at all?” The answer to Judas might go like this: “Yes, God used your wickedness but it was still your wickedness. There was no good or pure motive in your heart at all. It is no credit to you that God brought good out of your evil. You stand guilty before God.” David Guzik
Another example (diff. spin): You have a child. Child is kidnapped, treated heinously, and killed. Person is arrested and goes to court.
You (the parents) sit there, and judge says – ‘You know, I am feeling kind of good today, full of mercy and love, and compared to you (defendant) I look even more righteous than I did yesterday – [bangs gavel] Case dismissed.’
[AS THE PARENT OF THE CHILD – HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?]
I imagine you would be horrified. You would cry for justice. You would want a fair, honest, righteous judge to try the case. One whose characteristics above did not change from day to day – a consistent judge.
‘The same yesterday, today, and tomorrow’.
NOTE: “Whoever you are – even if you are an unbeliever – you do believe that some people ought to be judged. Now you may not think you ought to be, but you believe somebody ought to be judged. Everyone believes that. We have that innate sense within us today, and God has put it there.” – J. Vernon McGee
Here’s the deal – Because Jesus (God)is not capricious, but immutable – HE is that fair, honest, righteous judge, and HE will judge everybody. He has the right to judge the World, because He created the World and everything in it.
There will be no specious arguments, there will be no lawyer’s tricks, there will be no excuses,..—If the “Let us do evil that good may result” argument comes up – well, I don’t think it will go over too well.
For the “saved”: varying rewards.
For the unbeliever: varying punishments.
John
====== Vance:
I Chronicles 21
24But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying what it is worth. I cannot take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not offer a burnt offering that has cost me nothing!” 25So David gave Araunah six hundred pieces of gold[k] in payment for the threshing floor. 26David built an altar there to the LORD and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And when David prayed, the LORD answered him by sending fire from heaven to burn up the offering on the altar. 27Then the LORD spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath.
David’s shows what you give—with right attitude of love, sacrifice, surrender, and worship – a seed of obedience planted – is what God is able to bless. Notice in verse 27, AFTER David offered his sacrificial gift of love, that the Lord “spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath.”
Being a new creation / justification (declared righteous) – Comes through a gift received by faith in Jesus’ Name Blessing – Comes through obedience
Proverbs 19 verse 11 – “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.”
The second part of this verse clearly indicates that we are to overlook wrongs ALL of the time. I say this because it seems to me that the idea of “earning esteem by overlooking wrongs” is outside the context of “speaking the truth in love”. Rather, I see it as our fundamental approach to people— whether people we feel we need to speak “truth” to or whether people who strive to embody truth. The fundamental principle is this: Do not be LOOKING for wrongs in others. Do not be have the approach to people of LOOKING for something to “correct” or “fix” in them.
Sometimes I have been guilty of this, as I have honestly desired to share Christ with others.
Basically, offer people—no matter who they are—the same grace that Jesus gave us.
2 Corinthians 5:19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.
After all, it is better to attract others with “honey” and “sweetness” – so we can pray about how to speak truth into their lives as God provides the opportunity if that is needed.
Colossians chapter 4
5 Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.
Old Testament – The theme of David being a “war” king stands out today in our First Chronicles readings. In fact, we’ll get a couple more chapters of David’s wars coming up in tomorrow’s readings. The wars are what kept David from building the Temple of the Lord. This duty will be passed on to his son Solomon, a “peace” king if you will. There are some great readings today in First Chronicles 17 about the Lord’s covenant promise to David via the prophet Nathan!
There is an interesting thing to note in this message to David via Nathan from the Lord in verses 12 through 14. In context these verses are about Solomon. However, interestingly, the New Testament basically applies these verses to Jesus in Luke 1:32-22: “He is the one who will build a house–a temple–for me. And I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not take my unfailing love from him as I took it from Saul, who ruled before you. I will establish him over my dynasty and my kingdom for all time, and his throne will be secure forever.'” Think these are Messianic verses that can be applied to Jesus?
Today in 1 Chronicles chapter 17 verse 30 we read this prayer of King David – “There is no one like you, O LORD, and there is no God but you.” Have you ever searched for other “gods”? Have you ever really found those other gods? Have they ever delivered on anything? Do you believe there is no other God like the one true and living God that we read about in the Bible? Are you living your life in such a way that you are seeking to know more and more about the character, heart, and will of the one true and living God? Do you love God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit with all of your mind, soul and strength? Have you forsaken pursuing all other false gods for the remainder of your life? Will you leave the idols behind?
New Testament – Again… wow.. Paul’s writings in Romans are so convicting and true. So many verses in today’s readings bring out so much. One verse that stood out to me was 16 – “The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone’s secret life. This is my message.” This is powerful to consider. Do you have a secret life? Do you realize that Jesus will judge your secret life? So, really, is there such a thing as a secret life after all? It will all surely come out into the Light and be judged. Do you have skeletons in your closet? Will you confess those skeletons/sins to God right now and repent of them immediately?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “No Excuse for the Jews” is at this link.
Psalms – I love Psalm 10 verses 17 & 18 today: “LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them.” The Psalmist here tells us that God knows the hopes of the helpless. Do we? Do we care? The Psalmist says God will listen to their cries and comfort them. Are we listening? Are we comforting? God will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them. Should we do this as well? Will we? Will you?
Proverbs – We have a great Proverb in chapter 19 verse 8 today – “To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.” Do you love yourself? Are you continually acquiring wisdom in your life? Do you want to prosper? Do you cherish understanding? Where are you seeking wisdom and understanding in your life today?
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of MercyMe’s song “To Not Worship You:”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“Those who get wisdom love their own lives; those who cherish understanding will soon prosper.” Proverbs 19:8 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are getting wisdom in your life each and every day. Pray that you cherish understanding. Pray that you will prosper in your life through living a godly life that honors Jesus.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS: (our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
I Chronicles 16:37-18:17
Part of message Nathan is told to give to David has totally enraptured me,
10 …” `And now I declare that the LORD will build a house for you–a dynasty of kings! 11For when you die, I will raise up one of your sons, and I will make his kingdom strong. 12He is the one who will build a house–a temple–for me. And I will establish his throne forever. 13I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not take my unfailing love from him as I took it from Saul, who ruled before you. 14I will establish him over my dynasty and my kingdom for all time, and his throne will be secure forever.’ “
This is a message with a duel or multilayered meaning; it speaks to David’s near future and the distant future, eternity. I wonder if David understood this was not only talking about the generations from his body yet born who would die off, but the words spoke of someone who would be born into his line, Messiah.
I’m not sure if what I’m stating is correct but I think it could be possible when we search the scriptures for answers to our current personal problems, the words we find to address the issues, God’s Words, speak and point to a time to come, eternity.
Romans 2:1-24
Knowing the “law” and doing what is required are not synonymous. This is what I here Paul saying in this passage. How many times have I said these words, “O, I know that,” and then acted like the knowing of exempted me from executing what I knew.
Psalm 10:16-18 18 You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them
What is it about “orphans and the oppressed” that societies and cultures look to exploit, and what is it about societies and cultures that give rise to oppression? It must be either pride, lust or greed from within banded together to attack and plunder a vulnerable people but they are venerable to God. So going against them is fighting against God.
Proverbs 19:8-9
If the act of acquiring wisdom, actively seeking it out, is the physical evidence that one loves themselves, then those who shun wisdom and are desirous to frolic in folly, then they are self-hating folk.
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Michelle
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;he who cherishes understanding prospers.
What a reminder that seeking God’s way for our lives is good for us! It is a blessing in and of itself. His laws are for our good–whether regarding gossip, sexuality, honoring parents, or anything else. When we pursue his way, it is better for us.
Michelle
====== Roslyn:
I do not believe that God used Jesus to “displace” his wrath…
As a Father, yes, he had/has the right to be angry..when things were/are not done according to his specifications and satisfaction. But let’s not get “fixated” with God’s wrath. That’s why his wrath did not end with Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Instead He showed us His glorious resurrection, the triumph over sin and death! And that to me is God’s boundless measure of his LOVE for us.
This brings me back to an earlier issue, a few months ago, when I posed basically the same rhetorical question on Christianity focusing on Christ’s death rather than on his resurrection…
When all is said and done, the bottom line is….GOD LOVES US ALL NO MATTER WHAT! IT IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF THAT LOVE THAT MAKES US TRUE BELIEVERS AND TRUE LOVERS— that makes it possible for us to LOVE and TRANSCEND.
Roslyn
====== Ramona:
>> I do not believe that God used Jesus to “displace” his wrath…>>
Roslyn et al. I don’t think it matters what “we” believe it matters what “thus saith the Word/The Lord/God/Jesus. If we all continually pursue our relationship with God, His Presence, by spending time in His Word (here it is the OYB) in his presence through prayer and being opened to the Holy Spirit, the “Truth” will be revealed to us whether we believe in that “Truth” or not. Been there and done that. A lot of what I believed has been blown out of the water by the Holy Spirit revealing to me what my understanding and mind could not logically reason out or thought it understood. And this is the first verse He did it on.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalms 37:4 KJV)
In the Hebrew “delight thyself” is ‛ânag aw-nag’ A primitive root; to be soft or pliable, that is, (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious.
It ain’t about the “delight” we think about the delight of pleasure and enjoyment it is all about making ourselves pliable and malleable to the Word of God and as stated in the first chapter and first two verses in the Gospel of John, God and His Word are One. We jump into danger when we try to fit the Word of God to suite ourselves instead of suiting ourselves to the Word of God especially when what is stated doesn’t make us feel good or seems racist, sexist and cruel. We may miss the real meaning and understanding because we become offended like the Pharisees (far-to-sees) and the Sadducees (sad-to-sees). Many people use the above verse to justify there greed and gluttony and praying somebody else’s “stuff” and husbands into there life. Geeze.
Ramona
====== Vance:
I would like to post this comment about what Roslyn said:
“I do not believe that God used Jesus to ‘displace’ his wrath…”
“That’s why his wrath did not end with Jesus’ crucifixion and death.”
~~~
I want to share the following verses about that, and let them speak for themselves (with short comment from me at the end).
I John 4 (NKJV) 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the PROPITIATION for our sins.
PROPITIATION is a big word. What does that mean? Another version clarifies this for us.
I John 4 (NIV) 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[AS THE ONE WHO WOULD TURN ASIDE HIS WRATH, TAKING AWAY] our sins.
I think of this verse in Isaiah 53 (NKJV): 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
~~~
What is the result of all of this? How does God see those outside of Christ– for those whom His Son died?
2 Corinthians 5 (NKJV) 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, NOT IMPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES TO THEM, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
What does “NOT IMPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES TO THEM” mean?
What does it mean to “impute”?
To answer this, I particularly like the way the Amplified Bible translates this same verse in 2 Corinthians 5:
19 It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, NOT COUNTING UP AND HOLDING AGAINST [MEN] THEIR TRESPASSES [BUT CANCELLING THEM]
~~~
It is AMAZING how much God loves us — ALL of us — including the person who raises his or her fist to heaven in open defiance to the Lord and His authority
I am AMAZED at the GRACE of God that He is presently — in this time “…reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, NOT COUNTING UP AND HOLDING AGAINST [MEN] THEIR TRESPASSES [BUT CANCELLING THEM]”
~~~
Yet, if people do not receive the grace of God in the Lord Jesus during their life on earth, then they are storing judgment for themselves.
For if we reject grace, what else is there but NO GRACE, i.e., judgment?
John 1 (NKJV) 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name
John 3 (NKJV) 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Is it true that God’s wrath did not end with Jesus’ crucifixion and death?
Well… IN ONE WAY, yes – and completely.
Jesus took ALL of God’s wrath IN OUR PLACE as OUR SUBSTITUTE — so we would not have to bear it.
YET… if we do not receive the gift of eternal life in Christ, then God is still holy.
God hates sin. Either we received Jesus’ death to pay the punishment for our sins on our behalf… or we attempt to pay the punishment for our sins by ourselves.
We cannot pay that price.
But Jesus completely and fully did.
Vance
====== John:
Roslyn,
“…GOD LOVES US ALL NO MATTER WHAT! IT IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF THAT LOVE THAT MAKES US TRUE BELIEVERS…”
What is this based on? I did a Gospel search on “Love” and “Believe(th)” and could not find anything like the above statement. To me: A “True Believer” is one who has turned to God, repented of his sins and believed in Jesus – then we have secured the promise of eternal life. Eternal life starts at the moment of our belief and acceptance of Christ. Found plenty of Scriptures for that concept.
Acceptance of God’s Love? I don’t know???? Can you clarify?
Jhn 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name
John
====== Pat:
What really touched my heart today was the reading from 1 Chronicles 16-18. David wanted to build a temple of cedar in which to house the Ark. God, through Nathan, told David that he would NOT be the one to build the temple but instead after his death his son would be the one to construct the temple. Basically, David told God what he wanted to do and God said “No!” How did David react to this? Instead of being prideful, disappointed or angry, David praised God! How many times do we tell God what we want to do or want done instead of asking God what He wants? How many of us praise God when our plans don’t work out? I often say that I’m glad God listens to me but doesn’t follow my instructions. I, like so many others, have a tendency to tell God what to do, how to do it, and when to get it done. Thank goodness and praise the Lord that His wisdom is greater than mine and He replaces my wants with what I should have instead!
We cannot buy God’s love or a place in His Kingdom – or swap for them, or earn them, or do anything to receive them. A LOVING GOD gives them to us freely. All we have to do is accept Christ as our Savior and put our trust and faith in Him and Him alone and His gifts are ours to claim. It is so simple and easy that we complex humans living in this complex world seem to have trouble accepting it. We want to view it from different aspects, read things into it, and make it difficult. The Word of God has only one aspect, only one side, when it comes to His love and the Kingdom. It is just the simple Truth as written and should be accepted simply as it is.
Pat
====== Johnnie:
My takeaway today: Romans 2:3-4 Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and not judge you when you do them, too? 4Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?
We always have to remember not to judge others for many times they know not what they are doing…
Johnnie
====== Edna:
IChr 17:18 “What more can I say about the way you have honored me? You know what I am really like.” When I read verse 18, I cried because I thought about how God continually blesses me even though He knows what I am really like. Who among us can not praise God for his wonderful blessings to us? If we have nothing to praise God for, then we must be dead. Edna
Edna
====== Mei:
This is a good reflection because we have to remember that there are many christians out there who are disappointed with God and looking for some help. And that help sometimes should come from us, the church. I’m hoping that my cartoon devotionals does help to comfort some brothers and sisters, and your blog is certainly very endearing.
Mei
====== Jenny:
I agree, regarding the Romans readings, Wow!…very convicting! We need Christ’s provision and imparted righteous bcos we are all condemned aside from His atoning sacrifice! I’m guilty! we all are! There is so much to ponder in Romans. We will start Romans at church in two weeks. I cant wait!! I will love to have further teaching on this awesome book!
Jenny
====== John:
Romans 2:1-24
There are four groups of the unrighteous: – those that deny God – those that say deniers are bad, but that’s not me. – those that never heard the Gospel or the Law – those that are church-goers ================================================================================= SECOND GROUP OF NON-BELIEVERS (UNRIGHTEOUS)
These are the people who say: ‘Yup – those deniers in the last chapter are bad people they deserve God’s anger, but I am not like them. I am a pretty good person.’
Paul maintains two things: -You are playing God by judging those people, and that is sin. -You do the very same things. Maybe not all, but all it takes is one, and you are subject to God’s wrath now and in the day of judgment.
Or do you think lightly of God’s patience when in reality it gives you the time to have the ability to repent.
You must because your heart is still unrepentant and you will be judged.
7″To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.”
“God does indeed give eternal life to those who persevere in obedience not because this obedience is perfect or because it is the basis or the merit of eternal life, but because saving faith always changes our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit so that true believers persevere in doing good. In other words, a changed life of obedience to God’s truth (verse 8) is not the basis of eternal life, but the evidence of authentic faith which unites us to Christ who is the basis of eternal life.” [John Piper] http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1998/1060_The_Final_Divide_Eternal_Life_or_Eternal_Wrath_Part_2/
8″But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”
This would be: SECOND GROUP OF NON-BELIEVERS (UNRIGHTEOUS)
John
====== Frederick:
1 Chronicles 18:13b
The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.
In our daily battles against our sins and temptations, do we more often win or lose? As for David, God gave him victory wherever he went. We should look at David’s faith in God, his heart for God, his quest to inquire God before he went into battles and his obedience to God. It is worth our time and effort to find out the reason why God gave David victories.
Frederick
====== David:
David got victories but he was weak spiritually and an awful father. Capable of awful sins when given the opportunity. What more proof do we need to know that when God forgives that he forgive completely?
David
====== Reuben:
Two things stand out to me. One, Nathan (blithely?) says that God is with David, then God has to correct him. How often do we speak out of turn about God’s will, rather than listen for His voice before speaking in His Name? Second, that last little sentene abut David’s sons also being ministers in his court hit me; was this comfort with the halls of power what later gave some of them the audacity to rebel?
Reuben
====== Bob:
Romans 2:12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
FYI: This conscience element that we see here is part of the Divine Law that God has written on our hearts. Its our personal compass and we can choose to follow it, or not. Righteousnes doesn’t come easy when we are tempted to go off course. I am always called to navigate my decisions by what my heart tells me. We might do well to put what Ramona says before any of our actions, “I think it could be possible when we search the scriptures for answers to our current personal problems, the words we find to address the issues, God’s Words, speak and point to a time to come, eternity.”
Bob
====== Dee:
I love the heart that David had for God that “there is no one like you Lord.” I love he asked, seemed and knocked. He wanted to build a temple for the Lord. It was important to him. God saw the war and bloodshed and knew even though of this..he was going to be kind to David’s lineage and bring a peace king from his midst. Solomon will build the temple. Wow
Romans..I love the questioning of the heart and conviction in Roman’s 2. We say other’s sin but have we checked our heart. We say adultery is wrong but what about our own adultery in our heart. God is no respector of persons. Jew first and then Gentiles. He loves them both.
Psalms I pray I have a tender heart always for less fortunate and widows/orphans. It is but the grace of God that I wasn’t one of them. I know when we help the least of those in turn we help the Lord.
Proverbs wisdom and understanding is a great thing. It’s best to treasure and seek Him always
Dee
======= Vance:
I Chronicles 17 (NKJV) 20 O LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. NOTE: I agree. There is no God like the true and living God. THANK GOD that He has always revealed Himself in a way that can be traced in history. Thank God that David sought the Lord (in all of his weaknesses and sins), and that he was found faithful. Thank God that God chose David through whom to build a house (royal dynasty). Thank God that this royal dynasty can be traced directly to the Perfect human—the Lord Jesus. This is evident in Matthew 1 and Luke 1. Romans 2 (J B Phillips Translation Of The New Testament) 12-13 All who have sinned without knowledge of the Law will die without reference to the Law; and all who have sinned knowing the Law shall be judged according to the Law. It is not familiarity with the Law that justifies a man in the sight of God, but obedience to it. 14-15 When the Gentiles, who have no knowledge of the Law, act in accordance with it by the light of nature, they show that they have a law in themselves, for they demonstrate the effect of a law operating in their own hearts. Their own consciences endorse the existence of such a law, for there is something which condemns or commends their actions. 16 We may be sure that all this will be taken into account in the day of true judgment, when God will judge men’s secret lives by Jesus Christ, as my Gospel plainly states. NOTE: I like this quote from the article titled, “No Excuse for the Jews (Romans 2) By: Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M.” “God judges every man according to what he knows of divine revelation: ‘For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law; and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law’ (Romans 2:12).” MY COMMENT: Each man has an imprint of God’s Law on his heart. The memory of the Law of God on each human heart in each human culture might differ somewhat, but it is still there nonetheless. Consider this excellent quote by C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. Source: Online text of “Mere Christianity” – http://lib.ru/LEWISCL/mere_engl.txt “I know that some people say the idea of a Law of Nature or decent behaviour known to all men is unsound, because different civilisations and different ages have had quite different moralities.” “I need only ask the reader to think what a totally different morality would mean. Think of a country where people were admired for running away in battle, or where a man felt proud of double-crossing all the people who had been kindest to him. You might just as well try to imagine a country where two and two made five.” “Men have differed as regards what people you ought to be unselfish to- whether it was only your own family, or your fellow countrymen, or everyone. But they have always agreed that you ought not to put yourself first. Selfishness has never been admired.” “Men have differed as to whether you should have one wife or four. But they have always agreed that you must not simply have any woman you liked.” This is also a true statement from the article titled, “No Excuse for the Jews (Romans 2) By: Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M.” “Although a man is saved on the basis of faith, he is condemned on the basis of his works” Finally, I think of what the Holy Spirit says in Romans 2 (J B Phillips Translation Of The New Testament): “…God will judge men’s secret lives by Jesus Christ…” This applies to Christians just as much as to those who do not believe that Christ existed and who do not have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus through repentance. We need to be daily washing our hearts and keeping them pure in the Light and Blood of the Lord Jesus. Why? Because we are called to glorify God. Because we are called to be “living letters” demonstrating God’s nature to those around us—which can only be done as the Spirit works through us. Because we are called to be set aside FROM our purposes and set aside FOR God’s purposes. May we intercede daily for the lost—and ask the Holy Spirit how He wants to use us to reach them with the Life-giving Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! Vance
Old Testament – Today in First Chronicles chapter 15 we read about David dancing before the Ark as it enters Jerusalem!
David’s song of praise in 1 Chronicles 16 is phenomenal. Verse 8 begins his praise with: “Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness.” These are two things that I’m afraid I do not do enough – give thanks to God & proclaim his greatness. I am amazed really at how little I give thanks to God. I mean, yes, I say grace and thanks before meals. And I’ll maybe give a little prayer of thanksgiving here or there to God on occasion – but it is just very occasionally. Why am I not giving thanks to God frequently?? I am not sure. I think it maybe has to do with the human condition – we always want more. Things are never really good enough. But if we really stop and think about it, we are so fortunate to have lived the # of years we have lived in our lives! Each day in our life has been and is a gift from God. How about you? Do you give thanks to God frequently? Now, as for proclaiming God’s greatness, I think I stumble in this area too. I think sometimes I forget the wise saying of – “God is God, and I am not.” I think sometimes I try to fall back on my own power and might and strength and spirit – when really all that I have comes from God. I pray that I begin to proclaim God’s greatness more and more often.
New Testament – Wow… Paul’s writings today in Romans are such a true and stern warning about the dangers of sin. I really can’t imagine how sin can be written about much more truthfully. Verse 21 is a strong warning: “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused.” I do believe that this is such an accurate description of what sin does to our minds – it makes our minds dark and confused! Things can get so fuzzy and hazy in our mind due to unchecked sin that we can even get to the point of where we do not realize we are sinning. How sad to live life knowing God, but not worshiping him or even giving him thanks. And then to come up with wacky ideas of what God is like…. ever hear any wacky ideas about God out there? 🙂 The result is that people’s minds become dark and confused because of sin… sad. Let us live our lives so that we share the Light of the Gospel of Jesus in the dark places in the world.
Today’s readings in Romans chapter 1 verses 18 through 32 consist of Paul describing the sin of the Gentiles, which is probably most of us. In chapters 2 & 3 Paul will describe the sin of the Jews. So, these chapters set the stage that all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God – Gentile and Jew alike. Yep, that covers each of us. An interesting thing to note from today’s readings is that Paul writes about “general” revelation – meaning, God is revealed to all people in all times generally through nature. In addition to general revelation, there is also “specific” revelation – God is specifically revealed to us through his Word and his son Jesus. But, as Paul writes today, general revelation is enough for all people to not have any excuse to not believe in God and to continue on in our sin. And yet, sin we do… Thank God for sending us the specific revelation each of us knows about – and hopefully we each personally know – God’s own son Jesus!
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Romans readings titled “No Excuse for the Heathen” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 10 is a prayer for rescue from attacks from the proud and wicked. Wisely, you’ll note that this Psalmist is not taking punishment into his own hands – but asking God for punishment. We would do well to remember that punishment is the Lord’s… For some reason much of this Psalm reminded me way too much of our world today – and I realized that not much has changed over 3,000 years! Verse 4 in particular rang true to me about much of our world today: “These wicked people are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.” Only about 100 years ago the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche uttered those exact words – “God is dead.” And I know that this viewpoint of many expressed in this Psalm 3,000 years, and 100 years ago by Nietzsche, is still a viewpoint of many in our world today. What a sad thing. What can we do in our lives today to show the world that God is not dead? How can we live our lives to demonstrate that God is alive? Let us share with this hurting and dying world with all that we are that God is not dead. Obviously, He Lives. What are you doing with your life today to show others that He Lives?
Psalm 10 verse 1 also stood out to me today: “O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most?” Have you ever felt like this? I know I have. However, I also have realized later on that just when I thought God was no where near me, he was actually as close as could be taking care of me. Even though it may have seemed that God was “hiding” from me, he was actually right there with me all along!
Proverbs – The second half of Proverbs 19 verse 6 really stands out to me today: “Everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts!” This is obviously very true when we think about our human relations. But what about with God? Who anywhere gives better gifts than God? Who else literally gives us the gift of life? Who gives us every good and perfect gift in our lives? And yet… does everyone rush to be God’s friend? I would guess that many of us reading this blog would consider God to be our friend. But what about the rest of the world? Why isn’t all of the world rushing to be friends with the giver of all good and perfect gifts? And even us who consider God to be our friend – do we consistently treat God like we do our other friends? Do we spend time with God? Do we laugh, cry, and enjoy life with God? Are you a true and consistent friend of the Giver of every good and perfect gift?
Worship Video: – Per my Proverbs reflection above about being a friend of God, below is a video of Israel Houghton performing the awesome song “Friend of God.” Enjoy!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:21 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you know God, glorify Him, give thanks to Him and have a saving relationship with Him through Jesus. Pray for your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors who do not know God. Pray that their foolish and darkened hearts will be redeemed through their saving faith in Jesus.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS: (our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
I Chronicles 15-16:36
Luke 16 10 “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” This verse came to mine every time I read Obed-edom’s name in this passage. He is mentioned four times in regard to being a gatekeeper in the tabernacle (15:18); a musician, a harp player) (15:21); and his home was where the Ark was kept for three months (15:25) while David tried to figure out how to get the Ark into the city without someone dropping dead.
After suffering the consequence of chosen ignorance, not actively consulting and reading the Laws of Moses, which would have told him how to move the Ark the right way, he does the right thing and gets the “411” on how to handle properly, God. (Well the God in the box, the home He had chosen to stay in for the sake of Israel)
David’s wife’s, Saul’s daughter, sneer at David, she must have been embarrassed, demonstrates to me that people have shown and will continue to show contempt for those who are in heartfelt worship. Like David, we must pay them no mind, but I don’t know if we can get away with locking them up.
In his Psalm, David lets us know that seeking God requires constancy and persistence (16:11), just like Jesus would latter tell us to do by asking, seeking and knocking.
Romans 1:18-32
This thing with God allowing us to have what we want (24 So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired) is the same thing He did with Israel when she asked for a king. He, God, gave them a man named Saul whose name in Hebrew is a play on the Hebrew word for desire.
I Sam 12: 12 “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’-even though the LORD your God was your king. 13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you.
God is still in the business of giving people what they want even if what they want is hell.
Psalm 10:1-15 WOW! 4 These wicked people are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.
5 Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them.
Not only are these two verses powerful, they let us know that the wicked will seemingly appear to succeed; however there is something coming toward them on the road they don’t see, punishment. Just because the wicked or the righteous do not see evil, being thwarted by God does not mean the road is clear of their just dessert, we like they don’t see everything.
Proverbs 19:6-7
The kind of friends spoken about in these two verses, I don’t need nor do I want.
Grace and peace, Ramona
====== Beryl:
The Lord told me to give up sugar some years ago. I have a real strugle with that. Almost obeying but not completely. Today, I accepted a piece of cake in order not to offend a friend. But I offended God. I am worried about what I bring on myself. Anyone got any thoughts on this struggle with the flesh?
Beryl
====== Ramona:
Mike in order to continually praise and thank God we have to be God focused and sadly we are more self-focused than listening carefully to God.
Ramona
====== Dottie:
I have found that if I begin each morning, even before I get out of bed, to thank God for giving me another day,another chance to live in such a way that others will want what I have. I rise and shine rather than rise and whine! I think the reason others do not run to God side is because there are conditions attached to being a friend of God. We must surrender our hearts, mind, bodies, and spirit, leave behind life as we know it and follow Jesus, and learn to trust daily, that God knows what is in our best interest, and what is best for us to do, to have, and to experience. We don’t want to have to learn to increase our faith or mature. We want self gratification now! God gives us every good thing, the problem with mankind is that we don’t understand what every good thing is or how it looks according to God’s standards. It is my hope and my desire to purpose each and every day to live in such a way that no one has to wonder or guess who God is, they will see Jesus in me.
Dottie
====== Michelle:
“Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness….” It’s counter-culture to see holiness as beautiful – the way God does.
My daughter Vicky loves the song, “Change my heart O God, make it ever new, change my heart O God, may I be like You.” That’s what I pray, as I read the way God sees things, and I realize that my perspective doesn’t always line up with His.
Michelle
====== Jenny
My pastor was saying it could soon be a crime to read Romans 1 in a church, because it speaks against homosexuality. He’s the founder of the Calvary Chapels (Pastor Chuck Smith) and they are putting pressure on him to not read it, but he of course would prefer jail then to not spread God’s word. It could soon be considered a hate crime to preach it! Unbelievable. I certainly dont want to be one to mess with God! We cannot pick and chose what we want out of the bible. I used to try…i did not like the fact in romans and other places, it speaks about ppl not obeying/honoring their parents. doesnt matter if i liked it or not, doesnt change truth. God brought me around eventually, it was His grace and mercy, but thats the point. We need to be aligned to God’s will and ways, not vice vs! God help us!
haha. i was listening to the 1 Chron. readings via the audio version. Its pretty funny hearing him read all those names! lol.
Jenny
====== Don:
The posting for the day strikes me as being profound! I, join with others, who find that this daily blog to be the a great starting point for each and every day. Blessings and by God’s grace keep up with your ministry of the Word through this media.
Don
====== Susan:
“Give thanks to the Lord & proclaim” His greatness” I too have struggled with these things until recently. First, this blog has helped me over the last month or so get back into the Word. Thank you SO much! Secondly, my “mentor” & friend gave me the acronym “ACTS” for prayer…I didn’t like it at first as it seemed too contrived, but it was a wonderful start. You start by “Adoring” God. I have used praise & worship music to help in this. Then comes Confession. Then Thankfulness, & finally Supplication. I would encourage those struggling with prayer, or any particular aspect of it to try it out for a week or so…it’s helped me more than I ever dreamed!
Susan
====== John:
1Chron 15:29:
“As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.”
Perhaps Michal had very good reasons why she should be upset at David. Even though she loved David at one point in her life, she could make a point at saying that David ruined her life. Also, she has her ideas of what a king should act like by what she saw in her father. But David is not her father. And her father really wasn’t the best of role models for her to be following. David is the man “after God’s heart”, not Saul.
But she’s missing out on one of the most wonderful things to have happened in a long time. Don’t let bitterness or misunderstandings cause you to miss out on what God is wanting to do.
John
====== Janice:
to take the everday things we recieve as a deserved thing is so selfish..we must learn that all is given throught him..and that we may achieve are lifes’ goals only through his good gracious ways sometimes we need to look at what we expect and what we truly desire
Janice
====== David:
This is one of my most favorite part of Romans. It is so prophetic! Whenever I feel that my own mind is slipping into depravity after surfing the internet and looking at foolishness. This part of Romans always comes back to my mind and pulls me back on track. Romans 1, 18-32 should be internalized if not memorized by all Christian men who surf the internet as a deterrent and reminder of how God allows the wicked to be led into depravity. Whatever God allows can be used by the devil. Be aware!
David
====== Jon:
god hands people over to their depraved minds and sinful desires but god did not hand us over he chose us out of the world and revealed himself to us….by gods grace you have been saved, so that no one may boast!!! praise jesus
jon
====== Richard:
Today’s reading in Romans 1:26-27 clearly states how Paul condemned Gay and homosexual behaviours and the punishment due. In our society today a lot of people including christians now condone these behaviours saying that those involved in it do not have a choice but are born like that. This is such a lie and there is nothing truth about it, its not scriptural, it’s un-natural and should not be used as an excuse. I think verse 21 and 22 concludes it all. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
Richard
====== Dee:
I love seeing David do a redo. He is a man after God’s own heart. His wife reminds me of so many who think they are this and that and have things figured out better when only God sees our true heart.
It always astounded me when Michal looked out and watched David give shouts of joy for the Lord..right then she became indignant in Jerusalem heart and started despising him. That always surprised me. The love of God and for God should have drawn her in not away..just my thought.
Also Romans..the people worshipped the creature and not the Creator. That’s not good and tomorrow he will discuss the Jews. Today was gentiles.
Romans..I love the book of Roman’s more and more..and the wages of sin are death but again God knows our true self.
Psalms..saying God’s dead..no absolutely not! God’s not dead he is surely alive.
Psalm..the God is dead battle. Why or how could anyone proclaim God is dead isn’t worshipping or seeking the Creator.
Proverbs..I want true friends not fake..ain’t got time for that
Everyone who gives gifts has friends . We’ll if they do it is not sincere..however no one can out give God who gives life breath and healing. Amen!
Dee
====== John:
Wrath of God
[And above all, I believe the greatest demonstration of the wrath of God ever given was given on Calvary’s cross. God hates so…so deeply sin that He actually allowed His own Son to be put to death. The greatest manifestation of the wrath of God. He poured out His fury on His own beloved Son. He would not hold it back even from His own Son. That’s how He hated sin. – John MacArthur]
Paul made his thesis statement in verses 16-17, now to the body of the work.
In verse 18, Paul starts off with WHAT? The WRATH OF GOD? Not the Love, Mercy, or Grace of God but the WRATH? Why????
I believe that Paul is proceeding in logical order. First, you explain why the Gospel is needed. Paul is seeking to establish the fact that all men justly deserve the consequences of the eternal wrath of God. Then you offer God’s solution.
In a more basic example – this is how sales and advertising work – you identify a need, make people aware of this need, and then you provide the solution (product). If people do not think they need the product – chances of a sale are very slim.
God’s Wrath is not an easy topic, and many ministers/churches today shy away from it. Even Bob Deffingbaugh does not spend a whole lot of time on it here in Romans – but he has a separate link that is exclusively devoted to God’s Wrath. http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=254
My belief is that to charectirize God by any one attribute is a mistake. To the extant that it is revealed – the Bible discloses who God is and his attributes. There are many attributes of God. By looking and studying them all, one can get a more complete picture of God and not just the area that you identify with, desire for yourself, or wish for the world. We are not one dimensional as humans – how much more so God?
ATTRIBUTES of GOD Power, Goodness, Wisdom, Holiness, Righteousness, Wrath, Grace, Sovereignty, Nearness, Immutability, Joy, Invisibility, Forgiving, Truth, Love, and Glory. http://www.bible.org/series.asp?series_id=90
Some excerpts from John MacArthur’s sermon on “THE WRATH OF GOD” ====================================================== “…The gospel message begins with a statement about the wrath of God. Frankly that’s diametrically opposed to most of our evangelistic technique. Most of our contemporary evangelism purposely avoids that theme. We talk about love and we talk about happiness and we talk about abundant living and we talk about forgiveness and we talk about joy, we talk about peace. And we offer people all of those things and ask them if they wouldn’t like to have all of those things….”
“..From Paul’s perspective, fear becomes the first pressure applied to evil men. Let them know about the wrath of God. In fact, the word love, you might want to know, doesn’t appear in the Roman epistle until the fifth chapter…”
“…How can people understand anything about love if they don’t understand God’s hate? How can they understand anything about His grace if they don’t know about His law? How can they understand forgiveness if they don’t understand the penalty of sin. Men cannot understand. They cannot seek grace and salvation unless they are affected with the dread of the wrath of God that is upon them. Unless men sense they are in grave danger there’s no pressure applied to them to change…”
“…Now, sometimes when you talk about God being a God of wrath, certain people get disturbed. And they don’t understand how God can be a God of anger and God can be a God of wrath and God can be a God of fury, a God of terror. But that’s because they don’t understand God…”
“…And may I add that it is not to say that God doesn’t love, but it is to say that you’ll never understand how great His love is unless you know how great His hate is. I mean, if you understand that God hates sin so profoundly then you will find it all the more amazing that He can love sinners…”
“…You say ‑ Well, that’s the Old Testament. That’s right, but God doesn’t change, the same thing is true in the New Testament as well. You see the wrath of God. In John chapter 3, John ‑ that wonderful gospel written by a man of love, that gospel that presents the Lord Jesus Christ in all His wonder and majesty and beauty…”He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on him.” It is not well with people who do not know Christ. It is not well with them. The wrath of God abides on them…”
“…God is a God of wrath, people. He’s a God of anger. Now does that sound like a poor choice of starting points for the gospel? Think about it. The bad news has to come before the good news, doesn’t it? It’s kind of like going to the doctor…and having the doctor say to you ‑ I have bad news; you have a fatal illness that has killed many people. But, I have good news, a cure has been found and I have it right here. See the good news means nothing without the bad news. Right? You have to diagnose the disease before the cure means anything. The bad news is ‑ God hates. The good news is ‑ God loves, but you have to start with His hate. First the diagnosis then the cure….”
[JESUS’ WRATH] “…Jesus in John 2 cleansing the temple, made a whip and just started whipping people all out of the temple. I mean, that’s a very dramatic scene. Do you want to know something? That was His first public act in Jerusalem. That is not the way you start a crusade. You don’t go into the religious places, take a whip and start flagellating everybody and overturning tables and crying about their sin, you’ll never get a crowd that way. You’ve got to send the advance committee, make it sound like harps and flowers. Jesus was furious because God was being dishonored. There was dishonesty there, there was cheating and lying and extortion and desecration…”
[WRATH] “…I might just add here the word is orgee and it is a settled indignation not a momentary fury, God doesn’t blow His cork, God doesn’t just fly off the handle. It is a settled hatred by one who could never be good and loving unless He totally hated evil. The two are inseparable, you have both or neither…”
[GOES ON TO TALK ABOUT] “…quality of wrath, the time of wrath, the source of wrath, the nature of wrath, the extent of wrath and now the cause of wrath…”
John
====== John:
Romans 1:20-22
WE KNOW
Paul says there is “no excuse”. God is in evidence for every person:
“..have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse…”
FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE People have posted about the realizing God through Creation – and rightly so. However, I want to explore not the physical world, but man – made by God as his ultimate Creation.
Before time began, the Trinity existed – it existed in Love, Relationship, had intelligence, communication, creativity, knowledge, joy, etc.
Roslyn mentioned in a post – “…we keep attributing onto Him human qualities..”
In response I would flip that – As humans we are gifted with many of God’s qualities (attributes) – made in his image.
EXAMPLE: LOVE AND RELATIONSHIP Most humans have, if not their greatest desire, a great desire to be loved, love someone, be in relationships, to be social, to share feelings, etc. Of course these desires are stronger in some than others – but nonetheless they exist. Some may have hardened their hearts over the years, and have rejected these desires – but they had them at one time – I defy anyone to deal with children and not see the desire for Love and Relationship in great evidence.
Science will never be able to point to a brain cell, a gland, an organ, etc. to pinpoint where the desire comes from for Love and Relationship.
As a Christian I believe it is a gift from God. The Trinity has it – always had it – and being made in God’s image we also have these desires.
Would a God who instilled in us the desire for Love and Relationship – not provide us a means to fulfill those desires on the highest level (with God)?
That is why I believe that since “the fall” and man turning from God – a rejection of that relationship – God’s Plan has been all about restoring the relationship with God.
It is interesting that this explanation cannot be ascribed to other religions.
Only in Christianity does God share with us what he has always had – how more intimate and personal can it get? ====================================================== Saw this just today – a commentary on a recent published “study” – the increasing loneliness of Americans. Goes to the point of desire for Love and relationship.
I am not talking about the mentally impaired or the person in isolated places.
I believe that God will do with people according to their abilities and in isolated jungles, islands, tundras, etc. with what they do know. He will be fair and just.
However, in civilized countries – there is no excuse. It is not that people do not know of God – they know and reject HIM. When they reject God:
Rom1:21b-22 “..their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.”
This way – people get to do what they want.
John
======= Vance:
PROBLEM: 18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves.[a] 19 For the truth about God is known to them instinctively.[b] God has put this knowledge in their hearts. 20 From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. 24 So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen. SOLUTION: This makes me think of what Jesus Himself said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) NOT that He knows the way (though He surely does), but HE IS the Way, Truth, and Life – He is “I AM” This same truth I saw in the reading from I Chronicles 16: 11 Search for the LORD and for his strength, and keep on searching. And we can trust Him, because of the immutability and inability to lie – the certain, guaranteed hope of God fulfilling His covenant: 15 He always stands by his covenant[g]– the commitment he made to a thousand generations. AND where is His strength found? 27 Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty are in his dwelling. HIS PRESENCE is the SOURCE, the TREE, the PLACE from which I can find His strength. Honor, majesty, strength, and beauty ARE: His “environment” His “clothing” When I spend time with Him, His environment can be mind and His clothing can be mine—throughout the day! I often do not know what to do—and I am at the end of my understanding and keep hitting a wall. But, if I spend time in His Presence—cultivating my relationship with Him– THEN, out of our knowledge of God, and our acting on it (faith without works is dead)—we have the vital experience to share His glory and strength to those around us! 28 O nations of the world, recognize the LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong. Vance
======= Vance:
I Chronicles 15 (NKJV) 11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites:… 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; SANCTIFY YOURSELVES, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. 13 For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.” NOTE: SANCTIFY YOURSELVES. The Hebrew word for “sanctify” is the word Qadash (pronounced: kaw-dash). Its meaning is: to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate IN OUR LIVES, we are literally carrying around the Presence of the Lord Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4 (NKJV) 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ~~~ I really need to meditate on this in order to COME TO REALLY KNOW THAT I KNOW that this is fully true. Then, I can allow the full impact of this to fully change all of me—from the inside out. 2 Corinthians 3 (NKJV) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. ~~~ Romans 1 (J B Phillips New Testament) The righteousness of God and the sin of man chapter 1 18 Now the holy anger of God is disclosed from Heaven against the godlessness and evil of those men who render truth dumb and inoperative by their wickedness. 19 It is not that they do not know the truth about God; indeed he has made it quite plain to them. 20 For since the beginning of the world the invisible attributes of God, e.g. his eternal power and divinity, have been plainly discernible through things which he has made and which are commonly seen and known, thus leaving these men without a rag of excuse. 21 They knew all the time that there is a God, yet they refused to acknowledge him as such, or to thank him for what he is or does. Thus they became fatuous in their argumentations, and plunged their silly minds still further into the dark. NOTE: The wrath of God. How does fit in with the Love of God? I think of one verse from David’s song of praise from I Chronicles 16 (NKJV): 27 Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and gladness are in His place. God is glorious—this is His natural Presence. The Father is known as the “Father of glory” (Ephesians 1:18). According to Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified), look at Who the Lord Jesus is: “He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine]” God is Glorious, and God is Love. Thus, His Love—by nature—is glorious, full of honor and majesty. God’s Presence—by His very nature—will break out against sin. THANK GOD FOR JESUS CHRIST! He took on a real human body to take on our sins—and the punishment for our sins—in His real human body. Then, He deposited those sins in hell, and was raised bodily—demonstrated to be the Son of God when He raised from death. I thoroughly enjoy how the Perfect Man—our representative—did for you and I while He was on earth, as in Romans 8:3 (Amplified): “For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. SENDING HIS OWN SON IN THE GUISE OF SINFUL FLESH AND AS AN OFFERING FOR SIN, [GOD] CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH [SUBDUED, OVERCAME, DEPRIVED IT OF ITS POWER OVER ALL WHO ACCEPT THAT SACRIFICE]” Notice that the Father God sent His Son “in the guise [or disguise] of sinful flesh”. He was truly human, but was not born with a human body infected with sin. In fact, He was more truly human than we are as man was never inherently created to be sinful or to have a human body infected with sin. Then, as the Son of God and as a real man—facing real temptations to their fullest degree (and NOT GIVING IN)—the Lord Jesus: * SUBDUED sin * OVERCAME sin As such, the Lord Jesus Deprived sin of its power over all who accept His Great Sacrifice. ISN’T THAT GREAT?!? ~~~ The next question that comes to my mind is this: Is God’s wrath too harsh or unfair? Many, many people confuse the Love of God with complete acceptance of all we think and do. I hear people all the time say something like this: “Because God is love, He will not judge me or what I do. All ways lead to God. He accepts me.” ~~~ Yet, the Holy Spirit says this in I Corinthians 13:6 (NKJV): “[LOVE] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth” Yes, it is true: God will not force Himself upon us, though He has every right to. His Love even allows us to have our choice—even if it means that we are walking towards death. Yet, God’s Love is fierce—because God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die in our place for our sins. GOD’S WRATH DEFINED: God will give us over to the desires of our hearts so that we can have what we believe we so ‘desperately’ want – as in the verses below: Romans 1 (NKJV) 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Then, as we begin to feel the effects of the pain and disappointment of our sin, He is always speaking—“COME TO JESUS, Who alone can forgive and cleanse!” Vance
======= John:
Romans 1 Deniers See this Pew poll on Religious landscape of U.S. http://religions.pewforum.org/reports In the United States polling information indicates only 1.6% of the population responded as atheists (deny God exists). Another 2.4% are agnostics (those who say one cannoty know if God exists or not). Are these the only deniers of God? Actually, no. There are a number of religions that do not believe in the God of the Bible. So they would also deny His existence and neither give Him thanks nor Glory. In the U.S. that would up the ante of deniers to around 15-20% of the population. My personal view on religion is not very good. Religion or religious is only mentioned 11 times in the Bible. Negatively when the heart was not in the ceremony. Positively when the rituals were done with the right heart. However, belief and faith are mentioned 250+ times in the Bible. God is a God of personal relationships first and foremost. Religion is too many times man’s effort to build a ladder to God; while true Christianity is God coming down to man, saving man, and taking him to heaven without the benefit of a man-made ladder. I trust in and rely on God because He has proved Himself to me both through His Word, and His involvement in my life. On the other side I look at the track record of mankind and I do not see mankind getting anything right on a large scale. Ex: politics, social issues, sports, international relations, etc. ================================================================================= SO HOW DO WE, AS CHRISTIANS, TALK TO DENIERS. I have watched many hours of debates of Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens vs. Christian apologists. Have seen some of the Rational Response Squad’s videos, and a number of people purporting to be atheists who post on youtube (and other video sites). All you can do is share out of love. Answer their questions as best you can. Frequently ask God to help you with answers (“Help me” is a valid short prayer to God). Try to keep your cool, as at least in my case, that was me (a denier) five short years ago. The conversation can be very frustrating as most will not buy into anything you are saying, and they may mock you personally quite a bit. Do not let them limit you in the way you respond. They may ask you not to give a Biblical answer, but give a ratonal (man-made) answer. This would put you in their camp, and is not advisable. If they ask you something about God – answer them using the God of the Bible as He is revealed. They may not like the answer, but they need to understand that because you believe in God – your source has to be the Bible. Do some homework. take the time to go to some apologetic websites, and every so often listen to some debates or read some articles. Get informed. http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/2009/06/100-christian-apologists.html Stay in God’s Word, and pray that when you are ready God will put someone in front of you to dialogue with about faith. ================================================================================= Deniers will Deny. Unless they are seeking God and their heart has been softened by God, or their heart has been softened and they are seeking God – DENIERS WILL DENY AND DENY AND DENY. Ex: Richard Dawkins was asked what if a man was raised from the dead right in front of him. how would he respond? His answer: (paraphrase) I would straightaway make an appointment with a psychiatrist, because I would be delusional. See this link here for an interview with Ben Stein. Dawkins has backtracked from saying a possibility of a hyper evolutionized alien race may have seeded the population of earth. He says now that he was just throwing a bone to intelligent design people but he did not mean it. Elsewhere Dawkins said that it merely was more plausible for an alien intelligent design theory to be valid then there being a “god” involved. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BtV22JPjmsk?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
Hitchens is more fascinating. He always starts off cool, collected and very urbane. but as debate goes on Hitch gets worked up into a lather about how reprehensible the God of the Bible is in his eyes. Hitch at least is honest. God cannot exist because the idea is morally reprehensible, and if God of the Bible exists – Hitch says – ‘I want no part of Him. I am liberated and free because I can use my mind and run my own life. That is the way I want it, and it makes me happy.’ (paraphrase). John
Old Testament – I think today’s readings in First Chronicles could be called “Famous Dave!” As indeed, David moves into his role as the King of Israel in today’s readings and we read about his growing fame and support amongst the tribes!
In chapter 13 we read about David bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem – which was good in intention, but poor in execution… God is clear in Numbers 4:5-15 that the Ark was to be moved only by the Levites and only by using carrying poles. No one, not even the Levites were to touch the Ark itself. David ended up following the Philistines example of moving the Ark on a cart, rather than following God’s command. Thus, in verses 9 & 10 we read – “But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the Ark. Then the LORD’s anger blazed out against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God.” I wonder if we are like David was in this chapter in our lives today – how often do we have “good intentions”, but poor execution? How often do we take shortcuts on things God has been very clear on? Even if these shortcuts seem like they are good ideas, why do we take them? Why do we take the risk?
New Testament – Today we begin the book of Romans! What a great book we have coming up! We’ve been reading about Paul’s missionary journeys, the storm at sea, and being in chains for the Gospel in Acts. Now get ready to read and study some of Paul’s teachings first-hand! Some commentaries say that the book of Romans is a “Bible within the Bible.” And others: “The most profound book in existence.” Personally, I think we need to obviously consider all 66 books of the Bible to be the Bible and the entirety of the Bible to be the most profound book in existence. But, yes, Romans is a profound book of the Bible no doubt! Martin Luther said this about Romans: “It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with, the more precious it becomes.” Not a bad quote for us to jump into the book of Romans this week! Let’s go!
Romans Author: Paul Place: Corinth Date: A.D. 57/58 Content: Paul was in Corinth on his third missionary journey and was planning to go to Rome, but had never been there before. This letter was written to introduce himself to the church and to summarize his theological teachings. For the latter reason, it is the most systematically organized letter of Paul. He begins by showing the universal sin of man. Neither Gentile nor Jew has any legitimate claim upon God because sin has invalidated any appeal. But God in his mercy stepped in, while we were still sinners, and opened the way back to himself (Romans 5:8). From this may come a victorious Christian life. Paul then deals with the place of the Jews in God’s plan (Romans 9-11), concluding with a series of ethical exhortations. Theme: The righteousness of God, his righteous dealings with the world, and the righteous plan of salvation are the focus of this book. God is seen to be the great and holy God of the universe who cannot relax his laws because they are based upon his nature. But consistent with those laws, he devised a plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles alike that sent his Son down from heaven to die for the sins of the world. Now anyone who trusts in Jesus will be saved (Romans 10:9) and be given the power of God over sin in his life. From God and his love nothing can separate the believer. (Romans 8:38-39) (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 24)
More commentary on Romans is at these 3 links – https://bible.org/seriespage/1-introduction-book-romans https://bible.org/seriespage/6-romans-introduction-argument-and-outline https://bible.org/seriespage/1-introduction-romans Bob Deffinbaugh says at this link directly above – “If you can reason your way through Romans, you will have the Gospel under your belt. . . . As you begin this study, I would challenge you to review the Book of Romans often in your mind, seeking to trace its argument from the very first chapter to wherever your study has brought you. It is my hope that you will then seek to apply what you have learned in your own life, and to share the message of the Gospel it contains with those who are lost and without hope, apart from the faith this Epistle describes and defines. May God bless you in your study of this portion of His Word.”
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video introduction the book of Romans!
How powerfully strong are Paul’s words in Romans chapter 1 verses 16 & 17 today! In fact, the NIV Study Bible’s commentary says that these two verses are the theme of the entire book of Romans: “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes–Jews first and also Gentiles. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”” Do you believe these two verses to be true? Are you not ashamed of the Good News about Jesus Christ? Do you believe that God makes us right in his sight by faith?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Romans Chapter 1 readings is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 9 verse 18 is so true and powerful: “For the needy will not be forgotten forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.” This is a great reminder that God’s heart is for the poor in this world! If God’s heart is for the poor – should our heart be for the poor too? How is your heart for the poor these days? How do you remember the poor and their hopes?
Proverbs – It is interesting to consider the Psalm verse about compared to Proverbs 19 verse 4 today: “Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them away.” This is a true Proverb. I am intrigued by “friends” being in parentheses – what type of friends do we attract with wealth? Will they still be there when the wealth is gone? I do think it’s true that poverty drives “friends” away. If the poor do not have many friends, then should we be a friend to the poor? How could we be a friend to the poor? Was Jesus a friend to the poor? What type of poor was Jesus a friend too – poor in spirit; poor in wealth; poor in health; all of the above? Should we emulate Jesus in his friendship to the poor?
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Romans remind me of Matt Maher’s song “Christ is Risen:”
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are not ashamed of the Gospel in any way, shape or form. Pray that you proclaim the Gospel throughout your life in every way. Pray that you fully know and believe that the Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.
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:
1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17
Regarding Mike’s statement, “good in intention, but poor in execution… “ , I’m going to be harder on David then Stacey. I don’t see what David did or didn’t do regarding moving the Ark from Kirjath-Jearim to the City of David as an act done out of ignorance with good intentions. There is a saying, “The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions.”
David had been King of Judah, in Hebron for seven years, he had been anointed king while still a teenager and in all those years, David had vast experience with getting the Mind of God. He did not learn that while running from Saul but in tending his father’s sheep. David had a deep relationship with God way before Samuel came to his house looking to anoint one of Jesse’s son as king. I am not writing this to poke holes and criticize what David did or didn’t do, but to learn from his mistakes.
1) David consulted with his army commanders and with the political leaders about moving the Ark, but he did not consult the Levities and the Priests. They, the commanders and political leaders, either remembered stories of how the Philistines sent the Ark back after they captured it or they were witness to the event, either way the Philistines were used as a model for transporting the Ark. Lesson: Don’t use the world as a model for handling the things of God.
2) David failed to follow a command given by Moses for all kings to do, study the Word!!
14 … Then you may begin to think, `We ought to have a king like the other nations around us.’… 18″When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy these laws on a scroll for himself in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19He must always keep this copy of the law with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of this law. 20This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. This will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.
If David had kept this commandment, he would have known how the Ark was to be transported. Lesson: Make the study of God’s Word a lifestyle.
So often, we have the Word right in front of us but we fail to read what is in the Book, especially in the United States. And if we do read it, we read portions and don’t take in the Whole Counsel of God. We convince ourselves that it is too difficult, too inflexible or too dry to keep our interest, not realizing that understanding only comes by seeking understanding. Our children are sent to school to learn the fundamentals of reading, math, science and hopefully the arts which upon graduation from High School and College the why of all the learning will make sense. How often do we say, “If I knew then what I know now …” because we realize the foundation for our life was poured in our youth. New construction is always easier then reconstruction.
David’s failure cost someone else their life. My failures cost others their lives. It may not have been the actual cessation of their natural life, although that could have happened and I didn’t know, but life to the fullest could have been delayed or totally blocked by decisions I made from ignorance because I failed to get complete information.
Also, take note of the Ark sitting in Obed-edom’s house for three months bringing a blessing on the entire household. Now the Ark had sat in Kiriath-jearim for almost 100 years and nobody was getting blessed, why? This speaks so powerful to me because I killed off God in my own mind and tried to get others to kill Him off also. For almost twenty years, I raged, cursed and ridiculed people reading the bible on public transportation because of what “church folks” did to me. I judged God and Jesus by those who claimed to be His disciples. I saw no blessings associated with the God they said they believed in and served.
How many people in Israel thought God was just the God in the Box in Kiriath-jearim, because they saw no evidence of changed lives? I am not talking about material things but behaviors and mannerisms that cry out, “They have been with God!” Can people look at me and say, “She has been with Jesus.”
Grace and peace, Ramona
====
With regards to David and moving the Ark of the Covenant: There are many things we “should” know from the Bible, but we really don’t get a handle on them until we are faced with a test. David’s position and influence had just increased by finally becoming the king. With the new status and increase in influence, God requires more of him in the area of faithfulness to God’s Word and counsel. 1 Cor 4:2, Luke 12:48
Many of us try to take on new roles and use our old ways of doing things. When God does grant increased favor to us by putting us in leadership roles, the best thing that we can do is seek His Word on how to carry out the new mission. It is at these times that we can expect our knowledge of God’s word to be tested by a refiner’s fire. These trials and testings do show what we have been building on the foundation of Christ. 1 Cor 3:9-15 and 1 Pet 1:6,7 We do get the opportunity through times of testing and failure to get on our knees in humble prayer to find out from the Lord what we thought we knew needs to be replaced with a real and correct response to what was already spoken in His Word. We often miss out on some of the best direction from God because we write off some of His scriptures consciously or unconciously with an attitude of “that doesn’t apply to me” so I’ll just skip that requirement. One of the best examples of that in my experience is about tithing. For many years I missed the blessing of tithing by saying that it was Old Testament and it really didn’t apply to me. So although I gave a lot of money to the church, I missed out on all of God’s blessings and benefits as “I did it my way”. I have been seriously tithing and giving offerings now for 3 years and am fully experiencing the blessings of God. Are God’s blessings financial? There are truly financial rewards to tithing as you cannot outgive God. But God’s real blessing over the tithe is that it puts Him in first place as Sovereign. When He is honored in His rightful place as God and I am in my rightful place as humble and obedient to His Words, then life just seems to bloom and blossom everywhere around me.
Stacey
====
i LOVE Romans! Paul is such a gracious writer! I really encourage everyone to be in deep prayer while reading this (and all the bible) but just to be filled with the spirit that God may reveal His beauty and truth to us in a more complete way. So many gems that can be skipped over! I encourage everyone to read these writings at least a couple times and meditate on them.
Romans 1:5 “we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith” …that last part stood out for me, obedience that comes through faith. We know faith is a gift of God, He gives us faith…therefore without God’s mercy we cannot obey Him or please Him because obedience is a byproduct of faith. ? My commentary says: “true saving faith always produces obedience and submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ”
v. 12 “that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith”. This reveals how we need other believers to exhort us, encourage us, and we need to be a source of exhortation to others. I know sometimes at my low points the faith of others has lifted me up so much! Likewise, the negativity of others drags me down with them. I cherish my dear friends full of love and faith in Christ!
v. 16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” I love that statement, the gospel is the power of God for salvation!
Jen
====== Sandy:
I, too, thought Romans 1:16 and 17 stood out. I have read v. 16 so many times – but today vs. 17 really hit me. Habakkuk 2:4 was referenced in the footnote which made it even more powerful for me. The righteousness of Christ vs. my hopelessness without Him! 4Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall [a]live by his faith and in his faithfulness.(A)
I too often care about things other than the things that God would be interested in – worried more about my own glory than His. How can I possibly be rigidly just and uncompromisingly righteous? Apart from Christ, it is hopeless – but because of Christ there is a way – but it still requires getting ME out of the way to live in His righteousness – and that’s where the challenge is for me. Self-righteousness has been such a part of my fundamental upbringing – criticizing and judging other’s spirituality, etc. that I still find myself often falling into this way of thinking without intending to. But there is hope in Christ…to live by faith a full and celebratory life – rejoicing in what He has done.
Sandy
====== Ramona:
1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17
So David decided not to move the Ark into the City of David. He took it instead to the home of Obed-edom of Gath. The Ark of God remained there with the family of Obed-edom for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household. (I Chronicles 13:13-14).
This passage has always fascinated me. Only two sentences long but is says so much. The Ark had sat twenty years in the house of a man called Abinadab (1 Sam. 7:2), yet no one was blessed—it just sat there just like a regular great big old box with no God sitting on the mercy seat (between the wingspan of the two angels)—nothing happening. The Presence of God was in someone’s house yet the manifestation of God never happened. Obed-edom had the Ark in his house for three months and everyone on the house was blessed. What was going on?
I wonder how often we put God in a box and put him by the door of our lives and nothing, absolutely nothing is going on. Then someone takes God into their lives, their homes and everyone gets blessed who walks through the front door. What are we missing? Hmmm.
Grace and peace, Ramona
======= Lesley:
I also read the Bible every day, I am lost without this wonderful Book.
Thank you Ramona for all of your comments, I enjoy reading them everyday and they make so much sense to me. I also ridiculed people for reading the Bible because of what “church folks” did to me for many years. Thank the Lord I now can see through that and I actually feel sad for the people who do not really know our wonderful Jesus.
Thank you so much for Bible Blog it is great.
God Bless
Lesley
====== Michelle:
im very bleesed reading this message from God… yes, i will not ashamed of the gospel. And I want to share it to everyone…
michelle
====== Jen:
Amen Ramona, do my acts demonstrate that I have been with Jesus today. That is my prayer. That everyday the people that come into contact with me will know that I have been with Jesus.
Jen
====== Ireta:
I love the instructions that the Lord gave to David in I Chronicles 14:15. What sticks out to me is that it is very important, even vital, for me to hear what God is specifically saying to me about my circumstances. Right now I’m in a place where I need to have faith and allow the Lord to do what He knows needs to be done in my life. Thank you for today’s lesson!
Ireta
====== Art:
yeah the instructions are there for a reason we may never see but if you dont follow them just right bad things can happen, that’s why im learning to do things God’s way its a HARD lesson but if the building is standing with a fake brick in may not stand so, since He doesnt change His word better just do things His way you dont get extra credit, only by following exactly, otherwise you dont get credit. so you can complain all you want if you dont do it His way you dont get credit.
Art
====== Bob:
Romans 1: 13-15 Please don’t misinterpret my failure to visit you, friends. You have no idea how many times I’ve made plans for Rome. I’ve been determined to get some personal enjoyment out of God’s work among you, as I have in so many other non-Jewish towns and communities. But something has always come up and prevented it. Everyone I meet—it matters little whether they’re mannered or rude, smart or simple—deepens my sense of interdependence and obligation. And that’s why I can’t wait to get to you in Rome, preaching this wonderful good news of God. (The Message)
I think any Christian can identify the feeling that is displayed by Paul’s writing. Have you ever felt this great desire to “go tell it on the mountain”? If you grasp this pull to go out and share the good news you get what Paul is feeling here. The fire in your gut tells you this is the wonderful encouragement of the Holy Spirit. Yet, we run into snags, opposition, circumstances and its just a little beyond our grasp. Why? I wonder if Paul would of written this Epistle if it would have been easy for him to go to Rome. He puts his heart into his writing rather than the visiting there and look what he produces. It gives us a great example of how God uses our interests, hopes and desires to further His plans.
Bob
====== Dee:
Yes today’s 1st Chronicles were all about David and his sights in moving the Ark from one place to another. Was that the right thing to do? Even when we have good intentions and mean we’ll, is it?! Hmmm
Yay a new book began: the Book of Roman’s. Paul introduces himself and shows that God is not partial but that he is for all. The Jews and Greeks..that’s a nice invitation
Psalm 9 the rest of the story..God’s heart is for all..even the poor at heart..for they will see God.
Proverbs 9:4&5 brotherhood. Do we have friends even when we are poor. Do they only flock when we are rich? Hmm
Dee
====== John:
Romans
Background
A friend of mine who is a member of a different church (from mine)told me, ‘Well that is Paul, you have to take Paul with a grain of salt. You can’t take to heart everything Paul writes.’
Really???? I told him, ‘Paul was a Jew, he was taught by a great rabbi and leader of the Sanhedrin – Gamaliel (Acts 22:2-3), Paul was a Pharisee, he participated and led the persecution of the followers of “the Way”, Paul had great zeal for the Lord. (re: Gamaliel http://www.keyway.ca/htm2000/20001213.htm )
And on the way to Damascus to capture more followers of Jesus – he had a change of heart???? Paul became a leading evangelist of the early Church. Paul founded several early churches. He suffered beatings, a stoning, imprisonment, and rebuke from his former collegues. What makes a man “switch teams like that – do it in the prime of his life when he has great power, authority within Israel, and zeal for God?
Paul claims he had an encounter with Christ, accepted Jesus as his Savior, and was called to be an apostle.
Now either that is true, and you need to “take to heart” everything Paul wrote. or –
It is false, and Paul is a liar, and you can just toss the Bible (as it can not be trusted) and search elsewhere for life’s answers.
Your choice.’
NOTE: reason I use ‘ instead of ” – is my indication of paraphrasing. Also the tone of comment was friendly, and he took it as “food for thought”.
Letter to Romans seems to be written between 57 and 60 A.D. Paul wrote it before going to Rome. The Romans were beginning to understand Christianity was not just a subset of Judaism. Persecution on a large scale is just around the corner.
So if, Paul had not been to Rome – how come there are believers there already?
We know Aquila and Priscilla are there and a number of people Paul had met, converted, and/or exhorted in his travels. (Rom 16:3). Rome was the “big city”, people gravitated to it like they do NYC, LA, London, Paris, etc. today. The territories were full of former Roman soldiers, freed slaves, and Roman businessmen – if some became Christians – it is not surprising that some percentage would return to Rome and share the gospel. Apparently they did this with success.
Paul did not want to step on anyone’s toes.
Rom 15:20 “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.” NIV
Wait a minute! Christ was known, what is Paul talking about???? Most commentators (notable exception would be Catholics) believe (and I agree) that: word had spread, and people had converted, but no “church” had been established. No apostle had been to Rome to found a church at the time of these writings. There had been no public declaration of the gospel, just the word of mouth. Paul was planning on coming to change that, and provide a public and cohesive force to the Christians in Rome. To preach the Gospel and minister to new Christians. To Build and Edify as he had done in other churches. To exhort and encourage Christians in their walk with God.
Gal 2:8-9 “For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.” NIV
John
====== John:
Romans 1:1-4
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” NIV ====================================================== Paul’s Position
Paul chose to be a Gk. “doulos” – bondservant of Jesus Christ. Recap of bondservant.
Exodus 21:2,5-6 If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything….But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.” NIV
It is interesting (and I missed this in readings of Exodus), but after the Ten Commandments and instructions on altars and idols, this “Law of the Bondservant” is the first of a list of additional ordinances. WHY?????
[“Deuteronomy 20:18 “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.”
They were terrified of God and of coming near to Him. They were willing to serve Him because they feared Him, but God desired for them to serve because they loved Him and appreciated what He had done for them. I believe this issue is why the first mishpat, or judgment the LORD teaches them of is the law of the bondservant.”]
Paul chose to be a bondservant of Christ out of love. ====================================================== Paul’s Authority
Paul was called [to be] an apostle.
“called” is Gk. “kletos” and can mean “invited” or “divinely selected and appointed”. So did Paul choose or was he appointed an apostle?
I think these verses clear that up:
2Tim1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God..NIV
1Cor1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…NIV
2Cor1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,… NIV
Paul was divinely selected and appointed to be an apostle. ====================================================== Paul’s Message
Paul was set apart for (or unto) the gospel of God.
Paul was set apart by God for a purpose – not to KEEP him from something – but for the gospel of God.
The Gospel of God is God’s message – not mankinds. It did not depend on Paul. He was just the messenger. It does not depend on today’s ministers either.
The good news Paul speaks of in Romans 1:1 is the good news that God has burst through the box and desired to communicate with man. In a world filled with bad news, it is remarkable to know that God Himself has given us good news. That is especially true when you realize man is utterly unworthy of any good news. Yet in spite of that the apostle Paul reiterates again and again the good news that comes from God – John MacArthur ====================================================== The good news (gospel) that was promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus. Human nature as a descendant of David….
“declared with power to be the Son of God…”
The key to understanding this verse is the word “declared. ” It comes from the Greek word horiz[ma]o which means “boundary. ” We get our English word horizon from it. It refers to the clear demarcation line between the earth and sky. Paul is saying some may have questioned in the minds of some about whether Jesus was the Son of God, but because of the resurrection, the line was drawn in absolute clarity: Jesus Christ is God in human flesh. As clearly as the horizon divides the earth from the sky, so the resurrection divides Jesus from the rest of humanity. When God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, He was irrefutably distinguished from all other human beings. – John MacArthur
a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
b) power for performing miracles
c) moral power and excellence of soul
d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
e) power and resources arising from numbers
f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
Jesus Christ = ALL OF THE ABOVE. Doesn’t get much stronger than that.
“..by his resurrection from the dead..”
The definitive linchpin of Christianity. The declaration with power was accomplished because Christ was raised from the dead. Without it Christianity would just be anoter religion.
John
====== John:
Romans 1:16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” NIV ====================================================== Why was Paul not ashamed?
“He is bold to preach because of what the gospel is, because of what the gospel does….The reason why Paul is not overcome by the temptation to be ashamed of the gospel, but quite the contrary, the reason that he proclaims it so joyously, so anxiously is because it is powerful, it changes lives. And he knows that and he has seen that and he believes that. Sure it’s a stumbling block, (1 Corinthians 1:18), and of course it’s foolishness but it’s also the power of God unto salvation to them that believe, and he knows that.” – John MacArthur
1Cor1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” NIV
[Men would like to change, do you know that? I believe that. Really, all advertising that goes on in the world is based on one presupposition, and that is people want things different than they are. They want to look better, feel better, think better, have better experiences. They want to change their life. Basically, people want to change their life. There’s an appeal to that because that’s a basic human drive. And deep down inside, people, they really want things to be different but they are utterly impotent to change things.
In Jeremiah 13:23 Jeremiah says: “Can a leopard change his spots? Can the Ethiopian change his skin?” You have just about as much chance to change your heart. Men are impotent. They can’t do a thing about what they are. They can’t change anything. Oh, they may make a few reformations here and there and operate a little differently but real changes never happen. http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/45-8.htm
But because of the POWER of God (see list above) we can have salvation (eternal life) if only we believe the gospel. ====================================================== There is some controversy over the phrase in verse 17: “..a righteousness from God is revealed..”
NIV translates it “from God”, but “of God” is acceptable and used by KJV, NAS and others. Which is it? Because it makes a huge difference.
If it is “from God” we should understand it as per the Gospel as God’s gift to us. We can not be righteous on our own, it is only by God’s grace and gift of righteousness (justification) that we can be saved. It is imputed to us. – or –
If it is “of God” then it is simply saying that the Gospels reveal that God is righteous.
Of course God is righteous, and I believe the correct phrase is “from God”. Why???
Because the Gospel is about God’s good news of salvation. About how we can appear before God when we pass on. About attaining the righteousness needed to stand before God. How many times in John did it say you have to “believe” to gain eternal life? You had to have faith (same word as belief).
I believe that it is the “righteousness from God” imputed to man (who believes) and is given person to person (faith to faith) the same for everyone throughout time. (Or by faith from the first to last – i.e. from the beginning to the end of person’s life – it does not change). Just as it is revealed in Old Testament???
Hab 2:4 See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous will live by his faith
Just as it was in the Old Testament, it’s nothing new. Habakkuk 2:4: “The just shall live by faith.” Nothing new. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. – John MacArthur
is this about a1) the righteous person’s faith in God or a2) faithfulness to God, or about b) God’s (“His” rather than “his”) faithfulness toward the righteous person?
a1) is the answer if Paul is to be consistent with readings in “Acts” and the Abraham example.
[Support for Paul, though, comes from a surprising place (at least I was surprised to see this). In Geza Vermes translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, if my memory serves me well, he translates this part of the Habbakuk pesher/commentary as “the righteous shall live by faith”–i.e., his faith in the Teacher of Righteousness. Apparently the Qumran scribes/community believed the meaning of Habbakuk 2:4 was “faith” in the Teacher of Righteousness rather than “faithfulness” to the Teacher of Righteousness.] http://www.ibiblio.org/bgreek/archives/greek-3/msg01216.html
John
======== Vance:
I Chronicles 12 (NKJV) 23 Now these were the numbers of the divisions that were equipped for war, and came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD NOTE: God’s word ALWAYS—in every case, 100% of the time—comes true. Merging with God’s Word, however, is the fact of our lives. We have to choose to consistently yield to, to believe, and to allow God’s Word to come true IN OUR LIVES. God had promised David that he would be king. It took YEARS for God’s Word to be fulfilled. David stayed faithful to God with the right heart even through the YEARS when Saul—who had given himself over to what displeased God—tried to kill David. David is a great example of one who believed God. God is able to use David as an example of the 100% faithfulness of His will and His Word. Psalm 89 (NKJV) 20 I have found My servant David; with My holy oil I have anointed him, 21 With whom My hand shall be established; also My arm shall strengthen him. 30 “If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgments, 31 If they break My statutes and do not keep My commandments, 32 Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. 33 NEVERTHELESS MY LOVINGKINDNESS I WILL NOT UTTERLY TAKE FROM HIM, NOR ALLOW MY FAITHFULNESS TO FAIL. 34 MY COVENANT I WILL NOT BREAK, NOR ALTER THE WORD THAT HAS GONE OUT OF MY LIPS. 35 Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: 36 His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me; 37 It shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah ~~~ Abraham was also an excellent person of noble spirit whose life allowed God to display His amazing faithfulness to His Word: Romans 4 (NKJV) 16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” [GENESIS 15:5] 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 HE DID NOT WAVER AT THE PROMISE OF GOD THROUGH UNBELIEF, BUT WAS STRENGTHENED IN FAITH, GIVING GLORY TO GOD, 21 AND BEING FULLY CONVINCED THAT WHAT HE HAD PROMISED HE WAS ALSO ABLE TO PERFORM. 22 AND THEREFORE “IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” [GENESIS 15:6] ~~~ May we be people like David and Abraham who love God and His Word. May our lives be showcases of the God’s 100%, guaranteed commitment to His Word! I Chronicles 13 (NKJV) 10 Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God. 11 And David became angry because of the LORD’s outbreak against Uzza; therefore that place is called Perez Uzza [LITERALLY OUTBURST AGAINST UZZA] to this day. NOTE: God’s Word cannot be broken, and God is holy. As mentioned, God had already given His specific Word on how the ark was to be handled in Numbers 4:5-15. We need to pray and yield ourselves to God and His Word, or we live our lives very dangerously. I have not always lived my life according to God’s Word. Yet, thank God for GRACE which is received by faith, which will enable us to live by God’s Word as we yield and surrender to God. Romans 1 (NKJV) 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” [HABAKKUK 2:4] NOTE: Consider this wonderfully challenging quote about FAITH from this text: PREFACE TO THE LETTER OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS BY MARTIN LUTHER, 1483-1546 “Faith is a work of God in us, which changes us and brings us to birth anew from God (cf. John 1). It kills the old Adam, makes us completely different people in heart, mind, senses, and all our powers, and brings the Holy Spirit with it.” “What a living, creative, active powerful thing is faith! It is impossible that faith ever stop doing good. Faith doesn’t ask whether good works are to be done, but, before it is asked, it has done them. It is always active.” “Faith is a living, unshakeable confidence in God’s grace; it is so certain, that someone would die a thousand times for it.” “Through faith, a person will do good to everyone without coercion, willingly and happily; he will serve everyone, suffer everything for the love and praise of God, who has shown him such grace.” “It is as impossible to separate works from faith as burning and shining from fire.” “ASK GOD TO WORK FAITH IN YOU; OTHERWISE YOU WILL REMAIN ETERNALLY WITHOUT FAITH, NO MATTER WHAT YOU TRY TO DO OR FABRICATE.” ~~~ Psalm 9 (NKJV) 19 Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your sight. 20 Put them in fear, O LORD, that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah NOTE: What a wonderful and awesome prayer to pray. God does not belong to any single nation—but to all nations that will honor Him as the Sovereign God, and honor Jesus as Son of God and Lord. Proverbs 19 (NKJV) 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape. NOTE: I keep coming back to God’s faithfulness to the TRUTH of His Word. God will forever honor His Word. Thus, God will expose everything that is not true. If I am not living by God’s Word—not living and speaking truth—I will be exposed sooner or later. May we live the way the Lord Jesus taught. Matthew 5 (NKJV) 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Vance
“So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.” Romans 7:4 (NIV)
I had not realised before that this is so clear cut – we died to the law.
It’s over as far as the law is concerned. We are free to life the new life of the Spirit with all its new risks and challenges.
So, I guess we have to avoid trying to rebuild old comfort zones by rebuilding systems of the law.
Andrew
====== Johnnie:
Can anyone enlighten me regarding the sea…
Does that represent our sins being washed away and remembered no more?
The sea of forgetfulness?
Anyone?
Johnnie
======= John:
Johnnie: In most sources, “sea” is just referred to as used for priest’s cleansing. Symbolically being pure before God????
Did find something else that may help FWIW.
In Rabbinical litereature –
The sea represented the world; the ten ells of diameter corresponded to the ten Sefirot; and it was round at the top (according to the Talmud passage above cited) as the heavens are round. The depth of the sea was five ells, corresponding to the distance of five hundred years’ journey between heaven and earth (compare Ḥag. 13a). The band of thirty ells around it corresponded to the Ten Commandments, to the ten words of God at the creation of the world, and to the ten Sefirot: for the world can exist only when the Ten Commandments are observed; and the ten Sefirot as well as the ten words of God were the instruments of the Creation. The two rows of colocynths (knops) below the rim were symbolic of the sun and the moon, while the twelve oxen on which the sea rested represented the zodiac (“mazzalot”). It contained 2,000 baths (cubic measures), for the world will sustain him who keeps the Torah, which was created 2,000 years before the world.
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1424&letter=B&search=bronze%20sea
John
====== John:
Romans 7
Pauls spent Chapter 6 getting into “sanctification”.
“Sanctification is the ability of God to make sinners actually righteous.”
Sanctification will not be complete until we get to heaven , but it can and should start now.
Know that the bondage of sin ended. With Belief in Christ we are given a new life (man).
Reckon yourselves the same way God sees you – “Alive to God in Christ Jesus”.
(Exhorting) Yield to God and Obey God as servants who love their master obey – because you want to – this leads to holiness (sanctification)
======================================================
Romans 7:1-13
THE WAY WE ARE NOT TO LIVE
People say – Got it! Now that I am saved, and a new man, and like a bondservant to God – I obey God by going back to obeying the LAW.
No, No, No Paul says, the Law would be “shackles” to a saved soul.
Here is an analogy. Everyone knows under the Law that when a husband dies, the woman can remarry.
You died to the Law through the body of Christ that you may be joined (marry) another – Jesus. In order that we might bear fruit to God.
How? Because in marriage as the Bride you will submit (obey) Jesus and He will love you. BTW this new husband (Jesus) will never die – it is eternal marriage.
Serving in the new way of the Spirit in that we serve (yield, obey) our new husband – Christ.
NOTE: Some denominations teach that this passage teaches no divorce until death. I disagree. Paul is teaching on condemnation, solution, justifcation, sanctification etc. This is just an analogy, not a literal teaching of marriage. I bring this up because you may have or may in the future run into this argument about divorce.
======================================================
People think – Got it. We died to sin. We died to Law. Wait a minute – doesn’t that make the Law bad?
No, No, No, Paul says.
[Digression]
Psalm 19:7-10
7The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb. NIV
Ok. I get that the Law sets up boundries and that “sin” appeals to our corrupt nature, and we fall for the message
· Because sin falsely promises satisfaction
· Because sin falsely claims an adequate excuse
· Because sin falsely promises an escape from punishment
What I don’t get is vs 9 and 10. Unless it is like Bob Deffingbaugh says – Paul speaking in Adam (as the ancestor). I read some commentaries and Vance’s explanation – and I still feel odd about these verses. Anyone else have thoughts?
Regardless our struggle is with our nature and sin – not the Law. In vs. 11 it talks about sin “seizing the opportunity” – opportunity in its root is a military term meaning “base of operations”. Sin is attacking us. We succomb. The Law just points this out.
Sin “becomes more sinful” in light of the law in two ways. First, sin becomes exceedingly sinful through contrast with the law. Second, sin becomes exceedingly sinful because the law provokes its evil nature. – David Guzik
Exceedingly sinful: “Why didn’t he say, ‘exceeding black,’ or ‘exceeding horrible,’ or ‘exceedingly deadly’? Why, because there is nothing in the world so bad as sin. When he wanted to use the very worst word he could find: to call sin by, he called it by its own name, and reiterated it: ‘sin,’ ‘exceeding sinful.’ ” (Spurgeon)
John
====== Brandie:
That song is awesome and true. Too bad we all can’t see it that way. I know when my poppa passed away I looked at life differently and everything was so beautiful to me. It still is. Amazing how beautiful life is and sometimes taken for granted.
Proverbs 19:22 is very good. In my bible study we are doing on Wed. mornings at church it is called cultivating contentment and it talks about being honest and being content. That we should be content with whatever we have in life. Plain and simple. I have worked on being honest with everyone this week even with my nana being in the hospital and it has worked well with me. I have felt peaceful.
Brandie
======= Alice:
The music is a delightful addition to this study. I enjoy them very much. Thanks for being so faithful.
Alice
====== Janice:
Remember: Christ is us is the CERTAIN, GUARANTEED hope of glory!… and PRAISE increases the substance of GLORY of Jesus IN and THROUGH us !
thank you vance..and remeber he wants us to love….and be forgiving
Janice
====== Billy:
Thanks Mike for all the great images that you provide they really are helpful !! God Bless all the readers and have a great day.
Billy
====== Alan:
“King of Righteousness” I’m reading a book on the names of Jesus, ” He shall be Called” by Robert J. Morgan. A snippet from yesterday’s reading hit me real hard. “I have a King who will never embarrass or disappoint me…But even better He wants to impute His Righteousness to me, so that in His sight I am just as righteous as the King of Righteousness…I’m a broken sinner. I’ve created my own little scandals. Moral failure has tarnished my life. I cannot help breaking my promises. BUT the King transferred my sins to His account while, at the same time transferring His Righteousness to my account. This Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.{Romans 3:22-25 NIV] Why did He do this for us? Drop the last letter from King and you have the answer. We are made in His image, we are His kin…Think of Him as your Righteousness. As Steve Brown would say, “I’m in” Thanks, In His grace, Alan
====== Jane:
This Devo below ties in with Roman 7:7 . We have freedom in Christ but we won’t be chasing things of this earth that bog us down!! If we let God carry our baggage and walk in faith
Without Covetousness – Hebrews 13:5
INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS
A man’s conversation should consistently exhibit a high level of individual contentment. Defining conversation and covetousness will help to better understand Hebrews 13:5
. A man’s conversation in the Bible sometimes refers to more than the words he speaks. It frequently refers to his entire way of life. One who lives covetously desires things not belonging to him. The Bible stresses the seriousness of covetousness by connecting it to the sin of idolatry. Combining these two simple truths shows that man should never live his life chasing after things not belonging to him. Why is it so important for a Christian to live a life of contentment? Since God promises to never leave or forsake His own, a discontented Christian lacks a trust in His Creator. Understanding these simple truths should bring great contentment to the believer.
Jane
====== Robert:
Vance; Thanks for the new tool. THE BLUE LETTER BIBLE. It looks like a great resource. I like your insight into “glory” too.
Robert
====== Dee:
I loved your reflection Vance!!
2nd Chronicles..the budding and the water basins are magnificent..hard to imagine but very elaborate . Detailed..God is a God of details and imagination.
Romans..we get q good briefing on good, law and sin. Just bec a use something is a law doesn’t mean it’s bad..the well being of us isn’t a bad thing but something God gave to us not punishing us..as a blessing not a curse
Psalm sometime in my desperation I cry out for answers and sometimes I am so Impatient to get what took some ye a rs to build. I hope I answer my call well and when I call on him, he is listening
Proverbs loyalty is an attraction. I pray I am loyal always not just to God but to his people
Dee