July 17th One Year Bible Readings

1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11 ~ Romans 4:1-12 ~ Psalm 13:1-6 ~ Proverbs 19:15-16
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

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.  More details on the duties of the priests and Levites are at this link.

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?

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...

YouTube - Last year I listened to one of Joshua Harris' sermons for the first time, and it was one of the best sermons I've heard in a while!  He just started a series on "Discernment" and the sermon I listened to was Biblically based and incredibly thought provoking for our lives.  The sermon is based on First Thessalonians 5:21-22 - "Test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." You can download the MP3 of this sermon at this link.  Below is a brief YouTube clip from this sermon on Discernment (5 minutes of a 51 minute sermon! :) -

Have you discerned God in your life?  Click here for Discernment!

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

Comments

[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

[R]

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,”

[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!

[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:

"Being Childlike"
by John Paul Jackson
Streams Ministries International
www.streamsministries.com

Take A Risk--Lose Control

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.

[Vance]

Romans 4 (Amplified)
3
For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living and right standing with God).

6
Thus David congratulates the man and pronounces a blessing on him to whom God credits righteousness apart from the works he does:
7
Blessed and happy and to be envied are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried.
8
Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him.

NOTE:
Of course, we must absolutely receive the gift of righteousness, as we can never earn this on our own.

I pray, therefore, there will be a true, deep, and lasting repentance of sin so we are able to receive the cleansing and righteousness that God promises.

~~~
The faith and lives Abraham and David appear to show two sides of justification:

one side of taking away and one side of putting in.

I think of a financial account ledger:
one side shows what money is owed and the other side shows what money is in bank

One side has a debt that must be taken away and removed.
The other side has the amount that must be given.

The “money” of heaven is righteousness, if I can say it like that.

David represents the “debt taken away” side of the accounting.

Romans 4:8 – “Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin THE LORD WILL TAKE NO ACCOUNT NOR RECKON IT AGAINST HIM.”

Abraham represents the “credit given” side of the accounting.

Romans 4:3 – “…Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIS ACCOUNT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS(right living and right standing with God).”

May we truly live our lives on earth like that:

1. Really and truly surrendering to the Lord everything that offends Him and is not pleasing to Him.

2. Really and truly, then, receiving from the Lord His gift to be pleasing to Him.

Only God can make our inability to do what is right to become His gift of His goodness to us!

Vance

[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

[Lisa]

Mike, I'd like to know how can I get Josh Harris' whole sermon?

[Mike]

Hi Lisa. You can download the whole sermon from this link:
http://www.covlife.org/sermons/

[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