Old Testament - We have some great dramatic reading today in First Samuel! Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion today has some good food for thought to the question of Why did Israel want a king? - "1. Samuel's sons were not fit to lead Israel 2. The 12 tribes of Israel continually had problems working together because each tribe had its own leader and territory. It was hoped that a king would unite the tribes into one nation and one army. 3. The people wanted to be like the neighboring nations. This is exactly what God didn't want. Having a king would make it easy for them to forget that God was their real leader." In First Samuel Chapter 8 we hear Samuel passing on God's warning to how the king will treat the people...
Can you imagine hearing these words of Samuel if you were Saul in First Samuel 9:20 today: "And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel's hopes." All you are doing is looking for your dad's lost donkeys and all of the sudden you hear this from the seer! Whew... You know though - I will say this. Being in relationship with God is always an adventure. I think oftentimes we will start out on a journey to do one thing and God ends up taking us some place completely different. Saul is about to embark on an adventure. You and I have the opportunity to embark on an adventure with God each and every day. I know that there are many times that God sends me into places & situations I would have never thought imaginable. That's the adventure of faith. It truly is not boring! I honestly think that life apart from God is truly boring. The secular life is boring. The materialistic life is boring. If you are feeling bored these days, will you break free and wholeheartedly pursue an adventurous relationship with the Lord?
An image is below for 1 Samuel 9:11 today - "As they were climbing a hill toward the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water. So Saul and his servant asked, "Is the seer here today?"
Bible.org's commentary on 1 Samuel's readings today titled "Give us a King!" is at this link and commentary titled "The making of Israel's first king" is at this link.
New Testament - Wow... verses 28 & 29 in John chapter 6 are so beautiful and simple that I think it is easy to miss the strong meaning behind this conversation between the crowd & Jesus - "They replied, "What does God want us to do?" Jesus told them, "This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one he has sent."" Check out that very last sentence. This is what God wants you to do. Believe. That's it. It's that simple. Believe. Not give away all your money to the poor. Not do thousands of good deeds. Not become a perfect person over night. Just believe. Believe. Yeah, okay, maybe God will ask you to give away some money and do good and become better person after you believe... :) But the key is first and foremost to Believe. Do you Believe in Jesus, the One whom God sent?
And verse 35 is so powerful as well - "Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst." Jesus saying he is the bread of life is similar to him saying he is the Door or the Vine. Bread is a beautiful metaphor that Jesus supplies divine nourishment to us spiritually. For me, this verse also reminds me of The Lord's Supper in our churches today.
Bible.org's commentary on our John chapter 6 readings today titled "The Bread of Life" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 106 verse 39 stood out to me today, speaking about the Israelites: "They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD's sight." I think this Psalm verse stands the test of time with our modern world today. Do you believe that we still defile ourselves with our evil deeds today? Do you believe that our love of idols is adultery in God's sight? How can we stop defiling ourselves with evil deeds and stop loving idols in our modern world today? Who can save us from ourselves?
Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 14 verse 34 today teaches us today: "Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people." This is a great reminder that godliness is not just an individual issue, but a community and even national issue.
Worship Video: The first half of Proverbs 14:34 today reminded me of the great Matt Maher song "Hold us Together:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that Jesus is your bread of life. Pray that through faith in Jesus you will never be spiritually hungry or thirsty. Pray you will withstand hunger or thirst in this fallen world, knowing that Jesus is your bread of life.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Do you agree with this Proverb that godliness makes a nation great? In our recent readings in Judges, was Israel a godly nation? Or was there sin in the nation bringing disgrace? How about today? Do you live in a godly nation? Or is there sin bringing disgrace to the people? Also, 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:
1 Samuel 8-9:27
God is going to give Israel what she wants, what has been prophesized she would asked for in the Book of Deuteronomy, God would allow Israel to operate in His Permissive will and not His Perfect will. God is abut to give her the desire of their heart in more ways then one.
A couple of years ago in reading through this book, I looked up in Strong’s Concordance Saul’s name and was surprised. I realized that God loves words and he loves to play on words. The name Saul first appears in this book. In Hebrew it means, “desired.” If you go back and reread this portion of scripture replacing “Saul” with “Desired” you will definitely see Saul and his story from a new perspective.
Remember the saying, “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it?” Bingo!
My comments about yesterday’s Gospel reading, the crowd wanting to make Jesus king, and Proverbs, “the wicked being crushed by their sin,” can also be dittoed in this passage in the book of Samuel. The “Desire” for a King would cause them to be saddled with a burden that would crush them, but they didn’t care. Kind of like maxing out one’s MasterCard, charge one item and the card becomes your master; however, the interest sin charges is greater than the highest rate the credit card companies will ever charge.
The desire for a king and Samuel’s clearly defined payment plan if they “desire” one other than God shows how we just love Pomp and Circumstance, a king with all the regalia that goes with the job, over substance. We love emotion and sentiment as the king leads his troops and sits on his throne, but we hate the truth that the other King, God brings. We think we have to give to get from God, but we error because we like Saul don’t even know God through his Word, the scriptures nor do we know His power (Mark 12:24).
How do we get out of the merry-go-round of idolatry that causes us to chose men, things, philosophies over the freedom that the King of Kings provides?
John 6:22-42
Just keep my belly filled, Jesus, and I’ll follow you and worship you. It’s all about the stomach. Maybe this is why obesity has become an epidemic in the good ole USA. Jesus offers the crowd something better than they could imagine but they can’t get past their stomachs, and what they thing they know about him. Familiarity leads to contempt. The problem is they are not as familiar with the Master as they think because they are operating on assumption the lowest form of communication.
We too think we know the Master; however, Mike has provided an opportunity for everyone with a mouse to draw closer to Him. Thank you Mike!
Psalm 106:32-48
39 They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD's sight
Has anyone noticed how God defines idolatry as adultery? I wonder why? Sleeping with someone other than your spouse, even having an emotional adulterous affair, must parallel worshiping “other” gods. How and why that is becomes our job to “seek,” “knock,” and “ask” by searching the scriptures and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 14:34-35
Speaking of kings, the thirty-fifth verse says a lot about how the King looks at us, His servants. I think I need to “desire” to please my King.
A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing; he is angry with those who cause trouble.
Grace and peace, Ramona
====
Family is not at all a personal issue.Samuel by not restraining his sons gave Israel an excuse to seek for a king.God's reign was a lot better than any King's,he provided for them,protected them and Israel became famous for it's conquests because of God.Yet in their desire to be like the world,they didn't care what the costs were.There's a saying that goes"the world's becoming churchy and the church worldly".Many christians today seek other means other than the word as their standard.Not wanting to stand out they lower their standards without counting the costs to be like everyone else.Though the cry for revival is everywhere,many refuse to see that we need to be consecrated,different from the world to truly be light. Saul shows great concern for his father;as days pass he worries that his father may forget about the donkeys and worry about his safety,he is ready to give the last thing they have left (a quater of a shekel of silver)to find out what happened to his father's property...pretty good qualities.When he is told by Samuel that he's chosen to be King,he thinks he isn't worthy even though his father was said to be"a man of standing".Saul was seemed to be a godly man before his coronation. The crowd,the jews were not looking to know the will of God but what they could get from a man that does miracles.They attributed the manna in the desert to Moses,not God and now they wanted signs from Jesus probably for their gain....they didn't want to hear his teaching.Did they really want "this bread"as they put it or did they just say what they thought Jesus needed to hear to begin his miracles.I think it's good to always keep in mind that God knows our hearts,maybe better than we do.Sometimes a revelation of out true state of heart is what we need to be asking for... God bless you all.
Anka
====
As Saul was talking about himself today being from the tribe of Benjamin, I remembered that the Apostle Paul was also from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5). Saul of the OT, like Saul of Tarsus, was not looking for God when the Spirit of God found him in an incredible life-altering way. Interesting parallel.
Micah Girl
====
One of the first things I thought about is that people today don't even know how to recognize sin in thier personal lives, let alone in society. The attitude and message today is that we are "modern," not "old fashioned." and they don't know sin. Iam hopeful though as I watch the thousands of youth coming to chuch each and every service, running to the alter and standing throught the service at the alter worshiping God, calling out to Him. Every nation that has fallen, has fallen from within. Sin in our nation is a disgrace and a shame. Proverbs 14:34 is right, Godliness does make a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people! We are to be watching and waiting for HIs return and be ready to go with Him.
Dottie
====
You said it! A true relationship with Christ is the furthest thing from boring! Life is exciting n every day is definitely a new adventure if I live in submission to the Lord. When i give each day to Him, i just never know what to expect! Its neverrrrr boring tho! Funny, wen i was younger, Christians seemed boring to me. Seemed like you had to dress up, smile and be nice to people all the time, sing songs about God and heaven, and just read the "boring" Bible, and go to church all the time. haha, it wasnt something i desired! I guess i was looking at religion, I didnt have Christ indwelling me so i just couldnt understand. Now that i am in fact one of those 'boring' adult Christians i used to watch, ha! I love it! FAR from boring, Christ brings "life" to life, abundance in all good things, joy, a change in myself that is not of my own so that in fact I change from the inside, joy in trials, a hope, perseverance, peace inside my soul (THe one thing i wanted most wen i was a hurting teen), and the more i grow in Him, the better it gets! I'm not anxious anymore...I just give it to the Lord and I know He takes care of it! Yes, i pick it up again many times, but God is trying me and teaching me, and i know that i'm going to heaven! and I KNOW truth! I know that i know that i know!! life in Christ is good!...without Him, i'd be a suicide statistic by now.
Jenny
====
"Do you live in a godly nation? Or is there sin bringing disgrace to the people?" ~ I wish I lived in a godly nation. When we have our outside ministry and we go out witnessing, I really get one shock after the other. When we ask people if God has a part in their lives, I get the most divergent views. "I believe in my own way", basicly that means they make up their own rules. Idoltry = sin ... Or I get responses like "No I'm sorry, I'm not interested" ... ehhmm ... you're not interested in me? What's the deal? You know what really hurted me this past week, and I'm really really really upset about this one ... First you need some background information: my mom has 5 sisters and 4 brothers. They were brought up Protestant, just like my parents brought me up. All my aunts & uncles were brought up with the Bible, they pray, they believe Jesus is God's son, they believe in God's wonders. So now I have one uncle, he's sick. He went to church with us a couple of weeks ago. I was hoping he'd accept Jesus as his personal Saviour, but he didn't, so I figured he needed more time. So at the beginning of this week I was talking to my grandmother and she told me that she was talking to that uncle of mine the other day and they were talking about church, God and the Bible and about rebirth, about washing away our sins. You never guess what my uncle said "I don't buy that washing away our sins bogus! I think that's just BS! It's crap and I don't have to be reborn, that's just stupid church-rules". I thought I was hitting my head to the ceiling when I heard this! I asked my grandmother what she said, but she was too shocked to respond to this. I really came THIS close to calling my uncle, but I didn't do it, I was too emotional. Cause HOW can you pray and ask the Lord to heal you if you don't even believe in His Word????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mae
====
Greetings family,
The Living Water, chapter 4; The Bread of Life, chapter 6.
He nourishes us continually, it is there for the asking, bless His name!
He is the I AM, which covers every area in our life, praise His name!
In the book of John, Nicodemus says what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus says you must be born of the water and Spirit (paraphrased). Just in case, the complete reading may be found in John, Chapter 3. :-). Not much is required of us to enter into the Kingdom of God. And one can say that same thought is continued in today's verses (using two different versions).
"They then said, What are we to do, that we may [habitually] be working the works of God? [What are we to do to carry out what God requires?] Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger]." (John 6:28-29, AMP)
They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29, NLT)
All the "work(s)" is culminated in John 3:16:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
So we don't have perform any thing for God because all of the requirements have been fulfilled on the cross - He did it all for us. Enjoy the gift!
Be blessed and be a blessing.
Lisa
====
Reading the latter part of John 6 today brought more questions than answers. It’s really hard to empathize with the Jewish crowd who only the day before had been fed from the few loaves and fish. How could they later grumble and question if this was only the son of the carpenter from Nazareth? Are we also so dense? Is this what the Lord meant when He said we would be ever seeing and not perceiving, ever hearing and not understanding? I often wonder why some people choose Christ and others do not. Some children are raised in Godly homes, such as Samuel’s, and reject the Lord, others in abject spiritual poverty and choose the Lord, and all sorts in between. I didn’t personally witness any miracles from Jesus before my conversion but I, like all, was utterly lost, clueless, completely in the dark. I often compare today’s world with that of the Old Testament. Are we any different at all? I generally think not. So why do some choose yes and others no?
Briggs
====
1 Samuel 8:1-9:27 - How often do we make demands to God as the Israelites did time & time again. We think that we know what is good for us instead of relying on God's wisdom that He will provide what we need. God granted the Isralites' wish with their first King (Saul). With this grant, came consequences, Samuel enumerated what came with a King, the king will take a tenth of the Israelite harvest, their menservants, maidservants etc. for the King to rule them. The Isrealites refused to listen and demanded their King.
In our lives at times (or most of the time) we demand material wishes which we can not handle or afford, a big house, expensive cars, beautiful spouses ,etc. I could imagine some of the Isrealites could not afford to give the tenth of evrything to their King and forgot to give the first fruits of their labor to God first.
John 6:22-42 Have you had this experience of being unfullfilled and lacking after you have eaten? You crave for something. No matter what you eat, not even Godiva chocolate. It does not give you any satisfaction. Maybe that's why there is too much obesity in the USA and the developed nations as Ramona have said earlier. Hope that these cravings will spill to our spiritual cravings ( the bread of life in Jesus Christ)so we may seek the spiritual and not the material. This is my prayer.
Psalm 106: 44-46 But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake He remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. He caused them to be pitiedf by all who held them captive. "Out of God's great love" a very profound statement. Out of God's great love He will save us and deliver us from our troubles and sins if we call upon Him.
Proverbs 14:34-35 - Makes me wonder if all what's happening in our nation and the world is because we as a nation have departed from God's righteousness (the prevalence in stealing, adultery, cheating, pornography,gluttony, taking God out of our lives and our nation). So help us God.
Lily
====
Bob Dillon wrote a song, "Gotta Serve Somebody" that seems to sum up much of today's reading. The people of Samuel's day desired to be like the nations around them and asked for a king. As seen in Psalm 106, the people also worshiped the other nation's idols which became a snare to them. They eventually became slaves to the very nations they were trying to emulate. The Bible often compares us to sheep. It is very important who or what we choose to follow. I like that definition of believe: to have faith in, accept and follow. As Dillon said, It's in our nature to follow and serve something or someone. The good news is that we can choose to follow a loving and all powerful God. If on the other hand, we choose to follow the world, the flesh or the devil, God will let us have our way and we will end up enslaved to it. I choose God!
Teriann
====
Hi Mike,
I am a first time visitor to your site! I enjoyed today's blog. I too feel like I have been on a journey going in one direction but now I think GOD is taking me into a totally different direction for the good. I happily await for his destination for me! Abundant Blessings! Gloria
Gloria
====
Mike, I, too am afraid we are not living in a righteous nation. The stateI live in just had a marriage admendent up for vote on Tuesday of this week. There were so many comments, arguements and other things said and done before and after the vote that there is no doubt in my mind we are moving further and further away from God. What troubles me more is the sexual sin that seems to be constantly in the news. I try to arm my daughter with the Truth and make her aware of her surrounding without causing alarm but to be honest, I am no longer sure of who the enemy is anymore. It is truly a time of wolves in sheeps' clothing. I pray that God keeps my eyes open and my soul alert to the things that are not true. In another Bible study that I am participating in, we have been going through the book of Acts and the other works of the apostles. Lately we have had alot of discussion about false teachers. So yes, I think this country is corrupt and sadly, I think, if we as christians don't arm ourself with HIS Word, we are going to be deceived. We are just like the Israelites, or even more so like Sodom and Gomorrah. I too fear the wrath of God.
Thanks once again for this blog. And Ramona, reading your posts everyday is wonderful. Thanks for adding.
Tammy
====
Your question is intriguing. God makes nations rise and fall. However, all fall short of godly living. In our human bodies we are lost however God's plan of salvation is our only hope. The Holy Spirit living in in us washes away all our ungodliness. Keeping our eyes on Jesus no matter what the world tosses is our strength. God will judge all and no one will escape. Only those whose sins are forgiven will be saved. There is no way a nation could be godly. The Bible shows us Israels struggles and we are just as perverse if not more so. God's favor is due to His great love for all mankind. Oh that people would see and know our hope and salvation.
Susan
====
I always am amazed at this section at how bad Israel wants a "king" like others. It's always keeping up with the "joneses". Not truly understanding that to be free and seek the Lord is such a higher honor than having a regalia of a king or kingdom and what will it cost them? Have they thought about it? They don't care. They worship that idea 💡.
Jesus trying to get the people to understand that He is the bread of life! Seek Him and you will never thirst and will be filled forever. They hear. They don't understand. They have ears but are deaf to the words Jesus is saying. He gave us ears and discernment for a reason but we have to crucify those carnal thoughts and strip down metaphorically before him and let his words meditate on the souls and hearts of his people to fully understand.
The worshipping of idols and adultery of the soul in Psalms. Matthew 6:33..needs to resonate..seek ye first the kingdom and all His glory and these things will be added unto you..( peace, hope, joy, protection, strength, Godly possessions, salvation!!)
The US was and is blessed but I believe that sin can hurt and destroy a nation..Is or was Israel blessed or did their sin curse them in misfortune..I believe both. God chooses Israel and does bless it inspire of not because of and that choices have consequences. Just like our children..out of love..there is discipline..the choice is ours..do we learn, turn, and obey and keep indulging for a reason, season, or lifetime? What is our path to look like? The choice is ours
Dee
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1 Samuel 8-9:27
God is going to give Israel what she wants, what has been prophesized she would asked for in the Book of Deuteronomy, God would allow Israel to operate in His Permissive will and not His Perfect will. God is abut to give her the desire of their heart in more ways then one.
A couple of years ago in reading through this book, I looked up in Strong’s Concordance Saul’s name and was surprised. I realized that God loves words and he loves to play on words. The name Saul first appears in this book. In Hebrew it means, “desired.” If you go back and reread this portion of scripture replacing “Saul” with “Desired” you will definitely see Saul and his story from a new perspective.
Remember the saying, “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it?” Bingo!
My comments about yesterday’s Gospel reading, the crowd wanting to make Jesus king, and Proverbs, “the wicked being crushed by their sin,” can also be dittoed in this passage in the book of Samuel. The “Desire” for a King would cause them to be saddled with a burden that would crush them, but they didn’t care. Kind of like maxing out one’s MasterCard, charge one item and the card becomes your master; however, the interest sin charges is greater than the highest rate the credit card companies will ever charge.
The desire for a king and Samuel’s clearly defined payment plan if they “desire” one other than God shows how we just love Pomp and Circumstance, a king with all the regalia that goes with the job, over substance. We love emotion and sentiment as the king leads his troops and sits on his throne, but we hate the truth that the other King, God brings. We think we have to give to get from God, but we error because we like Saul don’t even know God through his Word, the scriptures nor do we know His power (Mark 12:24).
How do we get out of the merry-go-round of idolatry that causes us to chose men, things, philosophies over the freedom that the King of Kings provides?
John 6:22-42
Just keep my belly filled, Jesus, and I’ll follow you and worship you. It’s all about the stomach. Maybe this is why obesity has become an epidemic in the good ole USA. Jesus offers the crowd something better than they could imagine but they can’t get past their stomachs, and what they thing they know about him. Familiarity leads to contempt. The problem is they are not as familiar with the Master as they think because they are operating on assumption the lowest form of communication.
We too think we know the Master; however, Mike has provided an opportunity for everyone with a mouse to draw closer to Him. Thank you Mike!
Psalm 106:32-48
39 They defiled themselves by their evil deeds,
and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD's sight
Has anyone noticed how God defines idolatry as adultery? I wonder why? Sleeping with someone other than your spouse, even having an emotional adulterous affair, must parallel worshiping “other” gods. How and why that is becomes our job to “seek,” “knock,” and “ask” by searching the scriptures and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 14:34-35
Speaking of kings, the thirty-fifth verse says a lot about how the King looks at us, His servants. I think I need to “desire” to please my King.
A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing; he is angry with those who cause trouble.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====
Family is not at all a personal issue.Samuel by not restraining his sons gave Israel an excuse to seek for a king.God's reign was a lot better than any King's,he provided for them,protected them and Israel became famous for it's conquests because of God.Yet in their desire to be like the world,they didn't care what the costs were.There's a saying that goes"the world's becoming churchy and the church worldly".Many christians today seek other means other than the word as their standard.Not wanting to stand out they lower their standards without counting the costs to be like everyone else.Though the cry for revival is everywhere,many refuse to see that we need to be consecrated,different from the world to truly be light.
Saul shows great concern for his father;as days pass he worries that his father may forget about the donkeys and worry about his safety,he is ready to give the last thing they have left (a quater of a shekel of silver)to find out what happened to his father's property...pretty good qualities.When he is told by Samuel that he's chosen to be King,he thinks he isn't worthy even though his father was said to be"a man of standing".Saul was seemed to be a godly man before his coronation.
The crowd,the jews were not looking to know the will of God but what they could get from a man that does miracles.They attributed the manna in the desert to Moses,not God and now they wanted signs from Jesus probably for their gain....they didn't want to hear his teaching.Did they really want "this bread"as they put it or did they just say what they thought Jesus needed to hear to begin his miracles.I think it's good to always keep in mind that God knows our hearts,maybe better than we do.Sometimes a revelation of out true state of heart is what we need to be asking for...
God bless you all.
Anka
====
As Saul was talking about himself today being from the tribe of Benjamin, I remembered that the Apostle Paul was also from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5). Saul of the OT, like Saul of Tarsus, was not looking for God when the Spirit of God found him in an incredible life-altering way. Interesting parallel.
Micah Girl
====
One of the first things I thought about is that people today don't even know how to recognize sin in thier personal lives, let alone in society. The attitude and message today is that we are "modern," not "old fashioned." and they don't know sin. Iam hopeful though as I watch the thousands of youth coming to chuch each and every service, running to the alter and standing throught the service at the alter worshiping God, calling out to Him. Every nation that has fallen, has fallen from within. Sin in our nation is a disgrace and a shame. Proverbs 14:34 is right, Godliness does make a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people! We are to be watching and waiting for HIs return and be ready to go with Him.
Dottie
====
You said it! A true relationship with Christ is the furthest thing from boring! Life is exciting n every day is definitely a new adventure if I live in submission to the Lord. When i give each day to Him, i just never know what to expect! Its neverrrrr boring tho!
Funny, wen i was younger, Christians seemed boring to me. Seemed like you had to dress up, smile and be nice to people all the time, sing songs about God and heaven, and just read the "boring" Bible, and go to church all the time. haha, it wasnt something i desired!
I guess i was looking at religion, I didnt have Christ indwelling me so i just couldnt understand. Now that i am in fact one of those 'boring' adult Christians i used to watch, ha! I love it! FAR from boring, Christ brings "life" to life, abundance in all good things, joy, a change in myself that is not of my own so that in fact I change from the inside, joy in trials, a hope, perseverance, peace inside my soul (THe one thing i wanted most wen i was a hurting teen), and the more i grow in Him, the better it gets! I'm not anxious anymore...I just give it to the Lord and I know He takes care of it! Yes, i pick it up again many times, but God is trying me and teaching me, and i know that i'm going to heaven! and I KNOW truth! I know that i know that i know!!
life in Christ is good!...without Him, i'd be a suicide statistic by now.
Jenny
====
"Do you live in a godly nation? Or is there sin bringing disgrace to the people?" ~ I wish I lived in a godly nation. When we have our outside ministry and we go out witnessing, I really get one shock after the other. When we ask people if God has a part in their lives, I get the most divergent views. "I believe in my own way", basicly that means they make up their own rules. Idoltry = sin ... Or I get responses like "No I'm sorry, I'm not interested" ... ehhmm ... you're not interested in me? What's the deal? You know what really hurted me this past week, and I'm really really really upset about this one ... First you need some background information: my mom has 5 sisters and 4 brothers. They were brought up Protestant, just like my parents brought me up. All my aunts & uncles were brought up with the Bible, they pray, they believe Jesus is God's son, they believe in God's wonders. So now I have one uncle, he's sick. He went to church with us a couple of weeks ago. I was hoping he'd accept Jesus as his personal Saviour, but he didn't, so I figured he needed more time. So at the beginning of this week I was talking to my grandmother and she told me that she was talking to that uncle of mine the other day and they were talking about church, God and the Bible and about rebirth, about washing away our sins. You never guess what my uncle said "I don't buy that washing away our sins bogus! I think that's just BS! It's crap and I don't have to be reborn, that's just stupid church-rules". I thought I was hitting my head to the ceiling when I heard this! I asked my grandmother what she said, but she was too shocked to respond to this. I really came THIS close to calling my uncle, but I didn't do it, I was too emotional. Cause HOW can you pray and ask the Lord to heal you if you don't even believe in His Word????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mae
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Greetings family,
The Living Water, chapter 4; The Bread of Life, chapter 6.
He nourishes us continually, it is there for the asking, bless His name!
He is the I AM, which covers every area in our life, praise His name!
In the book of John, Nicodemus says what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus says you must be born of the water and Spirit (paraphrased). Just in case, the complete reading may be found in John, Chapter 3. :-). Not much is required of us to enter into the Kingdom of God. And one can say that same thought is continued in today's verses (using two different versions).
"They then said, What are we to do, that we may [habitually] be working the works of God? [What are we to do to carry out what God requires?] Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger]." (John 6:28-29, AMP)
They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29, NLT)
All the "work(s)" is culminated in John 3:16:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
So we don't have perform any thing for God because all of the requirements have been fulfilled on the cross - He did it all for us. Enjoy the gift!
Be blessed and be a blessing.
Lisa
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Reading the latter part of John 6 today brought more questions than answers. It’s really hard to empathize with the Jewish crowd who only the day before had been fed from the few loaves and fish. How could they later grumble and question if this was only the son of the carpenter from Nazareth? Are we also so dense? Is this what the Lord meant when He said we would be ever seeing and not perceiving, ever hearing and not understanding? I often wonder why some people choose Christ and others do not. Some children are raised in Godly homes, such as Samuel’s, and reject the Lord, others in abject spiritual poverty and choose the Lord, and all sorts in between. I didn’t personally witness any miracles from Jesus before my conversion but I, like all, was utterly lost, clueless, completely in the dark. I often compare today’s world with that of the Old Testament. Are we any different at all? I generally think not. So why do some choose yes and others no?
Briggs
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1 Samuel 8:1-9:27 - How often do we make demands to God as the Israelites did time & time again. We think that we know what is good for us instead of relying on God's wisdom that He will provide what we need. God granted the Isralites' wish with their first King (Saul). With this grant, came consequences, Samuel enumerated what came with a King, the king will take a tenth of the Israelite harvest, their menservants, maidservants etc. for the King to rule them. The Isrealites refused to listen and demanded their King.
In our lives at times (or most of the time) we demand material wishes which we can not handle or afford, a big house, expensive cars, beautiful spouses ,etc. I could imagine some of the Isrealites could not afford to give the tenth of evrything to their King and forgot to give the first fruits of their labor to God first.
John 6:22-42 Have you had this experience of being unfullfilled and lacking after you have eaten? You crave for something. No matter what you eat, not even Godiva chocolate. It does not give you any satisfaction. Maybe that's why there is too much obesity in the USA and the developed nations as Ramona have said earlier. Hope that these cravings will spill to our spiritual cravings ( the bread of life in Jesus Christ)so we may seek the spiritual and not the material. This is my prayer.
Psalm 106: 44-46 But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake He remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. He caused them to be pitiedf by all who held them captive.
"Out of God's great love" a very profound statement. Out of God's great love He will save us and deliver us from our troubles and sins if we call upon Him.
Proverbs 14:34-35 - Makes me wonder if all what's happening in our nation and the world is because we as a nation have departed from God's righteousness (the prevalence in stealing, adultery, cheating, pornography,gluttony, taking God out of our lives and our nation). So help us God.
Lily
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Bob Dillon wrote a song, "Gotta Serve Somebody" that seems to sum up much of today's reading. The people of Samuel's day desired to be like the nations around them and asked for a king. As seen in Psalm 106, the people also worshiped the other nation's idols which became a snare to them. They eventually became slaves to the very nations they were trying to emulate. The Bible often compares us to sheep. It is very important who or what we choose to follow. I like that definition of believe: to have faith in, accept and follow. As Dillon said, It's in our nature to follow and serve something or someone. The good news is that we can choose to follow a loving and all powerful God. If on the other hand, we choose to follow the world, the flesh or the devil, God will let us have our way and we will end up enslaved to it. I choose God!
Teriann
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Hi Mike,
I am a first time visitor to your site! I enjoyed today's blog. I too feel like I have been on a journey going in one direction but now I think GOD is taking me into a totally different direction for the good. I happily await for his destination for me! Abundant Blessings! Gloria
Gloria
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Mike, I, too am afraid we are not living in a righteous nation. The stateI live in just had a marriage admendent up for vote on Tuesday of this week. There were so many comments, arguements and other things said and done before and after the vote that there is no doubt in my mind we are moving further and further away from God. What troubles me more is the sexual sin that seems to be constantly in the news. I try to arm my daughter with the Truth and make her aware of her surrounding without causing alarm but to be honest, I am no longer sure of who the enemy is anymore. It is truly a time of wolves in sheeps' clothing. I pray that God keeps my eyes open and my soul alert to the things that are not true. In another Bible study that I am participating in, we have been going through the book of Acts and the other works of the apostles. Lately we have had alot of discussion about false teachers. So yes, I think this country is corrupt and sadly, I think, if we as christians don't arm ourself with HIS Word, we are going to be deceived. We are just like the Israelites, or even more so like Sodom and Gomorrah. I too fear the wrath of God.
Thanks once again for this blog. And Ramona, reading your posts everyday is wonderful. Thanks for adding.
Tammy
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Your question is intriguing. God makes nations rise and fall. However, all fall short of godly living. In our human bodies we are lost however God's plan of salvation is our only hope. The Holy Spirit living in in us washes away all our ungodliness. Keeping our eyes on Jesus no matter what the world tosses is our strength. God will judge all and no one will escape. Only those whose sins are forgiven will be saved. There is no way a nation could be godly. The Bible shows us Israels struggles and we are just as perverse if not more so. God's favor is due to His great love for all mankind. Oh that people would see and know our hope and salvation.
Susan
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I always am amazed at this section at how bad Israel wants a "king" like others. It's always keeping up with the "joneses". Not truly understanding that to be free and seek the Lord is such a higher honor than having a regalia of a king or kingdom and what will it cost them? Have they thought about it? They don't care. They worship that idea 💡.
Jesus trying to get the people to understand that He is the bread of life! Seek Him and you will never thirst and will be filled forever. They hear. They don't understand. They have ears but are deaf to the words Jesus is saying. He gave us ears and discernment for a reason but we have to crucify those carnal thoughts and strip down metaphorically before him and let his words meditate on the souls and hearts of his people to fully understand.
The worshipping of idols and adultery of the soul in Psalms. Matthew 6:33..needs to resonate..seek ye first the kingdom and all His glory and these things will be added unto you..( peace, hope, joy, protection, strength, Godly possessions, salvation!!)
The US was and is blessed but I believe that sin can hurt and destroy a nation..Is or was Israel blessed or did their sin curse them in misfortune..I believe both. God chooses Israel and does bless it inspire of not because of and that choices have consequences. Just like our children..out of love..there is discipline..the choice is ours..do we learn, turn, and obey and keep indulging for a reason, season, or lifetime? What is our path to look like? The choice is ours
Dee