Old Testament - Well, it was bound to happen. Assyria conquered Israel. They were bound to go after Judah & Jerusalem soon enough. Tough to stop an ego & power like that. It's "never enough". So, we get the bold boasts before the walls of Jerusalem by King Sennacherib of Assyria's representatives in 2 Kings 18. Verse 35 includes this boast, which didn't make God too happy - "What god of any nation has ever been able to save its people from my power? Name just one! So what makes you think that the LORD can rescue Jerusalem?"
It is wonderful to see that in 2 Kings 19 Hezekiah takes all of this to God in prayer. Good move! How often in our lives today, when challenges come our way, do we take the challenges everywhere else BUT to God? Wouldn't it be easier to take them directly to God? Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or whatever - can we simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them? Can we model what Hezekiah did when he received distressing news from the King of Assyria, in verses 14 through 16 - "After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the LORD's Temple and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed this prayer before the LORD: "O LORD, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth. Listen to me, O LORD, and hear! Open your eyes, O LORD, and see! Listen to Sennacherib's words of defiance against the living God."
New Testament - Wow. Check out Paul's words in Acts 21 verse 13 after it was prophesied that he would be jailed in Jerusalem: "But Paul said, "Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! For I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but also to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus."" What about you? Are you ready to be jailed for your faith? Are you willing to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus? These are challenging questions to consider I realize. But, I think they are useful for us to ask. If we are not ready to be jailed for our faith or not willing to die for the sake of Jesus, are we truly following Jesus? Or are we just pretending?
Paul's arrival in Jerusalem wraps up his 3rd missionary journey. Below is a quick recap of this journey of Paul's we've been reading about the past couple of days:
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "The Giving and Taking of Advice" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 149 is a beautiful song of praise today! Verse 3 I love: "Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp." Do you praise God's name with dancing and music? Yes, I confess, I am a huge fan of the praise and worship thing going on in churches and with CCM artists and their concerts these days. I know this is not the only way to praise or worship God by any means. Are you praising God's name each day with the very "dance" of your life??
Proverbs - Please note that Proverbs 18 verse 8 is not advocating spreading rumors! :) "What dainty morsels rumors are--but they sink deep into one's heart." So true... rumors may seem like "dainty morsels" at first... but if you buy into receiving them and spreading them, they will infect your very heart! Do you agree with this Proverb that rumors will affect our hearts? How do you avoid hearing or spreading rumors?
Worship Video: Today's reflection in Psalms about CCM music reminds me of this video by Jars of Clay for their song "Two Hands" which was filmed in part in Africa:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"But Paul said, 'Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.'" Acts 21:13 NLT
Prayer Point: Pray that you are willing to die for the sake of your Lord, Jesus. Pray that you are prepared to not only be jailed for your faith in Jesus, but to die for your 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:
II Kings 18:13-19:37
I have always thought about Hezekiah’s first attempt at getting Assyria to leave its borders by means of monetary persuasions when I’m faced with a threatening situation. Appeasement only works for a short time because the enemy will always be back.
Stripping the gold from the doors of the Temple is kind of like taking the things we may have designated to God, be it monetary or our time and talents, and diverting them to another area effecting our lives as if the problem will go away, it won’t. It’s best to deal head on with the issue, but I know that it is a very hard thing to do. We want to take the path of least resistance; however, that path always seems to take us back to the point where we started, Sennacherib knocking at the door.
19:14After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the LORD's Temple and spread it out before the LORD.
I believe the prayer prayed is a model for us to use when we feel threatened and overwhelmed. This prayer stated the truth; the Assyriaian army had conquered every country they attacked, but in the threat against Judah, the God of gods had been challenged and Hezekiah was running to the name of the Lord, his high tower.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
Acts 21:1-7
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) is quoted as saying,
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything” In order to take a stand one must be firm in planting ones feet on the ground becoming immovable from the position they have taken even to the point of death. To Fall for anything is not really living ones life to the fullest it is only existing. Paul found something to die for, thus he lived life to the max.
Mark 8:36
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (KJV)
Psalm 149:1-9
5 Let the faithful rejoice in this honor. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.
I’m thinking that singing for joy as I lie in my bed may be a wonderful way to prepare myself for sleep. Praising God with a glad heart and a joyful spirit may just usher me into a night of wonderful sleep. Hmmm, I won’t know unless I try.
Proverbs 18:8
If rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into the heart than one who loves to hear “secrets” at the expense of the reputation of others, getting their ears tickled with “good” stuff will themselves become spreaders of rumors and not be listeners only
Luke 6:45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (NIV)
Grace and peace, Ramona
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Awesome! We just read through Acts ch 21-22 at church sunday night, so when i come to certain parts in my readings here, i remember what my pastor said. Ugh, i dont like rumors or gossip, not that i'm innocent myself. I think its just our sin nature to gossip and pass on rumors, but God help us with that! Rumors are not valid to me, but i think they are still dangerous because once you hear them, your opinion of that person may be tainted. and yes, it will infect your heart.
Jenny
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Question...
Is the prophet Isaiah, first mentioned in 2 Kings 19:2, the same Isaiah who's book we will be reading later this year?
Yours in Christ Skip
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As I was reading the taunting words of King Sennacherib this morning, it reminded me of some of the voices I have in my own head sometimes which are maybe initiated by the devil trying to get me to doubt God. King Sennacherib says, “What are you trusting that makes you so confident? Who are you counting on?” Then he goes on to try and convince them that they will be defeated just like all the rest have and their God will not save them. This sounds just like my doubts when I start to get discouraged and wonder if I will ever overcome some of my problems and sins. That’s why I love the response of the Lord in this reading today! “His armies will not enter Jerusalem. They will not even shoot an arrow at it. I will defend this city and protect it.”
When we are overwhelmed with voices of doubt, taunting us, trying to get us not to trust our Lord, we should take those doubts to the Lord like Hezekiah did and “spread them out before Him.” Then we can trust the promises from His word that He will protect and defend us, and not even one arrow will be shot at us.
Linda
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All the previous comments are quite helpful and full of insight for me, I don't know if my comment will be. I still have so much to learn about the Bible, it's history, and God's plan, but it was one of the truths that stood out to me. In 2 Kings 18:31 the Assyrian commander is making claims and promises to the people. Verse 32 ends with "Choose life and not death". I was reading and in my mind trying to remember if the Assyrian take over was part of God's plan or not. (I mean I know the whole nation will be taken into captivity at some point, so was this part of that plan?) This reminded me a similar challenge to the Israelites back in Deuteronomy 30 when Moses is telling the people about he blessings/consequences of obeying or not obeying God. The truth that stood out is simple, Evil Imitates Good. Satan will take the words of God and twist them to sound like truth when it is actually leading to destruction. Sometimes I am not able to discern the lie from the truth because it is familiar to my ears;therefore,I must take everything to God (like Hezekiah) and trust Him to direct me. Choosing life and not death is a choice I make everyday when it comes down to obeying God, actually it's a moment by moment choice for me. There is obviously so much more pondering I need to do on this reading today, but I just wanted to take a quick moment to share that bit. Any further comments are appreciated.
Sherri
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Sherri, your comments are helpful. I know God is pleased with your desire to learn all about Him and His Word. What you siad about Satan twisting God's words to make them sound like truth makes a lot of sense. There is a Bible study I just completed that really makes lots of those lies clear. If you're interested in reading it, it is Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
Will be praying for you, Raeann!
The insight that stood out to me today was Hezekiah immediately taking his concerns straight to God. I take my concerns to God, but many times not immediately. I spend a lot of time worrying about them first. That was a great lesson today. Also, Paul being willing to die for Jesus' Name....wow. That is difficult to think about, yet it reminds me of the girl at Columbine in Colorado that did just that.
Lori
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I am struck by the song "Two Hands." Pulling God toward me with one hand while holding him at arm's length with the other...when what I ought to be doing is to be raising both hands in worship, honoring God.
Thanks for making me think today.
Jackie
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Acts 20:22, 21:4b Bob Deffinbaugh's commentary about the Holy Spirit saying different things to two people is interesting: These saints were correct in understanding that Paul would be bound in Jerusalem, but they were wrong in their conclusion that Paul should not go. Paul, on the other hand, was correct in pressing on to Jerusalem. I believe we must conclude that the Holy Spirit revealed only the fact of Paul’s fate, and that the conclusions drawn from this were not those which came from the Spirit, and were not the will of God for Paul. The expression “speaking in the Spirit” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “speaking through the Spirit” (NASB) must refer to the fact that the words spoken “through the Spirit” were the words pertaining to Paul’s bondage, while the words spoken urging Paul not to go were not spoken “through the Spirit” but were spoken out of the loving and well-intentioned hearts of these mistaken saints.
Bob
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We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray
For many of these encounters with the saints and disciples, ministry seems two-way. not Paul setting up conferences for attenders (like today) but receiving hospitality and prayer. With the exception of yesterday's account of his lengthy teaching, Paul is now being ministered to more than he is ministering.
Andrew
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Psalms 149 is a description of what Heaven will be like! Mike i am also into praise and worship music because it is so uplifting to my spirits. Not to say others can't enter into worship in all kinds of music! who know you might be that guy sitting next to me at one of the concerts! I mean why do we hesitate to raise our hands in worship because scripture often refers to lifting up our hands in praise! I love Hezekiahs prayer to God! "Open your eyes and see O Lord! " We csn model his prayer when no one else can help us. I was at a memorial service for a man who died. His daughter spoke of him at his age of 73 doing Gods work and proclaiming to be a Christian all his life. Not until 4 years ago when he learned of his cancer did he acknowledge he didn't really know the Lord. She spoke of his kingdom work and God used him to touch others lives. But then He acknowledged this and was saved and got baptized at that point. Do we know the Lord personally? Are you ready to die for him and become imprisoned as Paul says. If you aren't then you need to examine your heart.
Jane
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Mike and everyone, This verse definitely stands out to me today: Proverbs 18:8 NET "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person’s innermost being." Elliot's Commentary for English readers says - "Dainty morsels" are eagerly swallowed, and "go down into the innermost parts of the belly," i.e., are treasured up in the deepest recesses of the heart, to be remembered and brought out again when an opportunity for employing them occurs. i feel very convicted - many times i have been in the giving and receiving ends of gossip. came across these verses today, need to keep them in mind: Matthew 12:35-37 NLT 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” So how can we have good hearts, so that out of the goodness of our hearts our mouths will speak? Romans 12:2 NLT 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. i think the answer is to let God's Word and His Spirit continually transform our hearts and our minds, so that we may speak according to God's good and pleasing and perfect will. Appreciate very much this verse: Ephesians 4:29 NET 29 You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear. Before i say something, i should ask - is this beneficial for building up the person in need? Will it give grace to those who hear? May God teach us as we learn from His Word each day. May our words and our life glorify Him!
Sincerely, Joyce
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Thank you Ramona for reminding me of my mom's often quote of A.H. she also quoted "Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone, dare to have a purpose, dare to make it known. She's gone to be with the Lord. I should have heeded her advice over the years. So blessed we have a God of second chances. I am so blessed.
Alan
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When I read about King Hezekiah agreeing to pay King Sennacherib to leave his people alone, I thought that this seemed almost like blackmail, and no good ever comes from that. But Hezekiah was a good man, and he did the right thing with his prayer and submission to God's will. I especially liked the picture of Hezekiah kneeling before the Lord.
I liked the song and video today too. The gift of water made these people with so little so happy.
God bless all of you this holiday week. God bless America! Judie
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So true Ramona, about ones enjoying tasty morsels are usually good gossipers too. I am guilty of that at times. I've learned to be honest with myself and others and be like please don't tell me something if you don't want it repeated. Alot of times I do it accidentally. So I try to nip it by being honest and on guard. However prayer and reading the book of James teaches us about bridling our mouths and what the power of the tongue can do. Amen!
Dee
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I like the comment / challenge for us from observing the life of Hezekiah:
“Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or whatever - can we simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them?”
2 Kings 19 (NKJV) 14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: “O LORD God of Israel, THE ONE WHO DWELLS BETWEEN THE CHERUBIM, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 TRULY, LORD, THE KINGS OF ASSYRIA HAVE LAID WASTE the nations and their lands, 18 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. 19 NOW THEREFORE, O LORD OUR GOD, I PRAY, SAVE US FROM HIS HAND, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone.”
MY NOTE: Note the verses highlighted in all capital letters: a. God is the One Who Dwells Between The Cherubim
b. It Is True, O Lord, That The Enemy Has Laid Waste
c. Now, O Lord Our God, Save Us, So That All May Know That You Alone Are God.
I like the simple and direct frankness and honesty of Hezehiah: * You are the God of Mercy
* The enemy has killed many others and plans to kill us
* Deliver us so all can know that You God alone are the true God.
Keruv / Keruvim (Cherubim) noun. Cherub / Cherubim. Heavenly creatures (angels) who guarded the wa to the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24).
In the context of this passage in 2 Kings, the cherubim are connected with the ark of the covenant, which is related to God’s Presence.
Shechinah noun. Shechinah; Divine Presence; Inspiration. Sometimes used to refer to the Presence of God and specifically when it dwelt (rested) between the Keruvim (Cherubim) over the Seat of Atonement of the Ark of the Testimony in the Kodesh Hakodeshim (Holy of Holies).
God’s Presence is always honored and manifest where His chosen sacrifice for our sins is. In that place, there is peace (Shalom – which is completeness for the entire human being: spirit, soul, and body).
God longs to be close to each of us, and it is where God’s chosen sacrifice is honored where God can reveal Himself to man.
Hezekiah and the people of Israel were unified together under the authority of the Blood covenant of the Lord God of Mercy. Today, we can do the same.
Jesus is the Perfect Sacrifice of God, and we are His Body on this earth. We are called to walk in unity with one another—not always in perfect agreement on every point—but in agreement under the Lordship of Jesus and His Blood. We can pray for one another, and we can pray together for those who need Jesus. Finally, we can pray as one against the evil in the world.
As we do that, the Father manifest His very glory to us.
John 17 (NKJV) 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
Terrorism does not have to rule and reign on the earth as long as Jesus is Lord, and as long as the people of God unite in prayer and fasting under the Blood covenant of the Lord God of Mercy in Jesus’ Name.
Acts 21 (NKJV) 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done."
NOTE: Many times I have said “The Lord’s will be done” in a way that was really unbelief. I did not want to take time to wait, surrender, and hear from God.
So, at that time, for me to say, “The Lord’s will be done”, was really an excuse to not seek God.
There is nothing passive about following God. Yes, there can be wonderful times of rest.
But, we are called to truly and actively seek the Lord’s will, and then pray, “The Lord’s will be done”.
Ephesians 5 (NKJV) 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
John 1 (NKJV) 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
NOTES FROM THE FULL LIFE STUDY BIBLE: John 1:12 – BELIEVED “It is important to note that John never uses the noun ‘belief’ (Greek – pistis). Yet he uses the verb ‘believe’ (Greek – pisteuo) 98 times. For John, saving faith is an activity, something that people do. True faith is not a static belief and trust in Jesus and His redeeming work, but a loving, self-abandoning commitment that constantly draws one near to Him as Lord and Savior.”
Psalm 149 (NKJV) 4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute on them the written judgment— this honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD!
NOTE: What a place of honor and privilege for us, as the people of God! Also… what a calling!
Fulfilling our calling—or fulfilling the vision of how GOD HIMSELF SEES US—then, is the reason for the great urgency for developing and using the activity of faith – that “loving, self-abandoning commitment that constantly draws one near to Him as Lord and Savior.”
How do we as the people of God conquer?
While God may use a government through military force when needed, God never calls the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to conquer that way.
According to Romans 13:4, God created a government to “not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”
Where there is a government which is oppressing people and doing evil things, that government and its leaders will be held strictly accountable.
We are called to conquer through spiritual weapons—prayer, fasting, intercession, and the power of the living God through us who are not worthy. Yet, God has made us worthy in Jesus.
HALF-WAY - Big news! We cross the halfway threshold in our One Year Bible readings today! Whoo-hoo! Yep, June 30th marks the end of our first 6 months of readings and July 1st marks the beginning of our final 6 months of readings. Congratulations!
If by chance you’ve stopped reading the One Year Bible at some point this past six months, how about starting back up with us again as we embark on our final six months? We’d love to have you on the journey with us once again! Let's go!
Old Testament - 2 Kings 17 is a HUGE and very sad chapter today! This is a huge chapter because it is the end of the northern kingdom of Israel. Israel is invaded by Assyria and its people are exiled. It is so sad because the Israelites could have avoided this strife - but the chose to follow in the sins of Jeroboam and worship other gods. After much patience and many second chances by the True and Living God, Israel was allowed to be invaded & exiled for their disobedience. Sad stuff. You can learn more of the history of how this all transpired at this link. An overview map of the Assyrian empire at this time is below:
In 2 Kings 17 verse 41 we will read this about the foreigners in Israel: “Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols.” If the foreigners both worshiped God AND served idols at the same time back then, do you suppose that we can fall into this same trap today? What would some examples be today of both worshiping God and serving idols at the same time? Are there any areas of your life where you might be serving idols? Will you allow those idols to be turned over to God for his healing and transformation of you? Will you worship God only? Will you leave the idols behind?
Verse 15 stands out and relates to the paragraph & photo above: "They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves." How true is that? Maybe another way to look at it - you are what you worship! (like you are what you eat...) If we worship worthless idols, we become worthless ourselves. If we worship the true living God, we become more like his son Jesus. Would you rather be worthless or becoming like Jesus in this lifetime? And how about after this lifetime? So, who or what are you worshiping these days?
In 2 Kings 18 we are introduced to King Hezekiah of Judah! This is a great day for the southern kingdom of Judah. Check out verses 5 through 7 for an overview of who Hezekiah was - "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was never another king like him in the land of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the LORD in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the LORD had given Moses. So the LORD was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did." Below is a coloured woodcut from Henry VIII´s Great Bible, from the year 1538, of King Hezekiah burning idols:
New Testament - Acts 20 verse 7 is a great look at an early church service! "On the first day of the week, we gathered to observe the Lord's Supper. Paul was preaching; and since he was leaving the next day, he talked until midnight." Paul preached until midnight? That had to have been one great sermon I am sure!
Well, and yes, Paul raised to life a young man named Eutychus who fell from the window sill during his sermon if you didn't notice! Wow... that's amazing. I honestly think I've kind of flown by this little tidbit before. Paul raised Eutychus from the dead!
Okay, later in the readings Paul gives a powerful farewell address to the elders of the church in Ephesus. Great stuff... Verses 36 & 37 do kind of bring a tear to the eye, no? - "When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. They wept aloud as they embraced him in farewell, sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him down to the ship."
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "Paul's Parting Words" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 148 is a call for all creation to praise God! I love it. As I was reading this Psalm I was reminded of the Matt Redman song that we sometimes sing in church that goes something like - "Let everything that. Let everything that. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!" I love how the Psalms can stir up worship songs in our minds!
We read this in verse 5 - "Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for he issued his command, and they came into being." Do you agree with this verse? That you came into being because the Lord commanded it? Do you give thanks to God frequently? And joyfully? Even in the midst of maybe some challenging times in your life, can you still give praise to your Creator?
Proverbs - Proverbs 18:7 today teaches: "The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips get them into trouble." As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I'm sure all of us probably can think of someone else we think this Proverb really applies to... :) And yet, again, perhaps should we think about ourselves when it comes to this Proverb? How is the condition of your mouth these days? Is it bringing peace, joy, love, teaching, truth, encouragement to others? Or is it bringing talk about you, yourself, and you all of the time... and worse, bringing talk of hate, judgment and ultimately ruin? Let us examine the words that come out of our mouths each and every day! Let our mouth be a fountain of life and love for those around us!
Worship Video: Today's readings in Acts reminded me of Sidewalk Prophets "You Love Me Anyway:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being." Psalm 148:5 NLT
Prayer Point: Pray a prayer of praise to God today for creating you! Pray a prayer of praise every day for God's loving care for you and all of His creation.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: How have the first 6 months of our One Year Bible readings been for you? Has God changed you in any way these past 6 months because of our readings? What are you looking forward to as we look toward our next 6 months of readings coming up? 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:
II Kings 17:1-18:12
Mike you ask the question, “If the foreigners both worshiped God AND served idols at the same time back then, do you suppose that we can fall into this same trap today?” Sadly the answer is yes and we can fall into that trap and not even know we are in it. Many of us scope-our-horror (horoscopes) while reading the bible and confessing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We idolize the god of Chance as we stand on line to purchase lottery tickets, or head to Atlantic City or Vegas to try our luck. We network in groups with people we don’t like to advance careers we hate by celebrating the god of Business Contacts. We join others in-group worship raising our voices to the gods of group think, Might-Makes-Right and There-Are-More-of-Us-Then-You. We don’t trust God to do what He said He will do.
In truth anything we place above God as our source, provider and protector, to name just a few, is idolatry. We even can idolize God’s laws and commandments instead of looking to the God who gave us the directives.
Acts 20:1-38
Paul had singleness of purpose. He knew what he was called to do, he knew where he was suppose to do it and he was willing to pay whatever the price to accomplish his assignment. The only way one could imitate what Paul did is to know only one thing, “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (I Corinthians 2:2) and what that means. We must not only believe by faith but also somehow translate that faith into a dedicated conviction to stay the course despite hardships and yes, maybe even death.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
20 22 "And now I am going to Jerusalem, drawn there irresistibly by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.
Psalm 148:1-14 The best prescription for depression, sadness and just feeling lousy is giving God Praise. Doing this takes your mind off the situation and gives you a godly perspective of what you are going through.
Proverbs 18:6-7
Ah, the running off at the mouth has consequences, for the fool the penalty is squabbling and violence perpetrated upon them. In other words, keep the Mouth Shut!
Grace and peace, Ramona
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In a day when ministry seems to be more impersonal through various media, cds, etc, it's refreshing to see how Paul modeled a very intentional, life on life, incarnational approach to ministering to people. He lays his thoughts and feelings right out there for the people to really know him. He was no emotionally distant 'pastor' or leader. I especially like the verse that says, "Remember that for three years I never stopped warning EACH OF YOU night and day with tears.: Acts 20:31. No wonder they wept when he left them. People love someone who takes time to know them personally, and is attentive to THEIR potential, needs and growth. Paul practiced the 'be with' principle of ministry. This is a wonderful theme in his ministry. In 1Thessalonians 2 he says, "We exhorted EACH OF YOU as a father would his children." May we all take a lesson from Paul today and 'practice the presence of people/persons' as we go about our day. There is so much talk in churches about 'the body of Christ', and I believe this is a correct emphasis, but the sum total of the Body is impacted by the individual spiritual health of EACH ONE.
Luch
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The readings in Kings really get to me. It is difficult to get the "big picture" of this book. I remember studying Kings and Chronicles in a great Bible study a few years ago. What sticks out to me is God's righteous judgment, power, and mercy toward those who believe in him. I also believe we are called to be "idol smashers" of sorts in today's world; however, how we go about doing this is the real difficulty because of appearing too self-righteous. I look forward to gettting involved in the readings for the second half. God Bless
Paul
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2 Kings 17:9 jumped out at me this morning, “And the children of Israel did SECRETLY those things that were not right against the Lord their god.” God knows our heart, what we feel, what we think, and what we do! We can put on a public face for the world to see but it is how we feel and think and what we do when no one is watching that really reveals our faith. We cannot be hypocritical with the Lord like we can with other people. There are no secrets kept from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because the Holy Spirit abides within the core of our being.
God Bless! Pat
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I have SO enjoyed the first six months of our readings; I cant believe I am still going … I know that I have been encouraged by the thought of sharing the journey with so many others, so thanks to all of you!
The thing that I have noted recently about the readings from 2 Kings is the constant reference to how the kings were managing their relationship with God: “they did evil in the sight of the Lord” or “they did right …”. This is not supposed to be an historical record of events, though it covers history, but a record of a People’s relationship with the Lord God. This is so much more important than whether they were effective or not, though I guess if they are in God’s will they will be effective anyway. This is a message for us, for me. We are who we are, but God can use us even in our weakness if we listen to him. It is amazing to read such large chunks at a time, because you get a really good picture of how God uses all sorts to achieve his purpose, both great and small. What an encouragement.
Thanks Mike for helping us all to keep at it week after week, and for making even hard passages interesting with your comments and pictures.
Katie
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How have the first 6 months of our One Year Bible readings been for you? Has God changed you in any way these past 6 months because of our readings? What are you looking forward to as we look toward our next 6 months of readings coming up?
A BLESSING is my first answer! Who'd of known I'd find myself in these circumstances today; pretty much home-bound and life as i'd known it so different. Gosh do i find it challenging to focus & not be distracted- and my main distraction is just me/myself/&i in physical pain. My thought is that the Lord went before, preparing for this time- introducing your Bible study and inviting me. So yeah... it has been a very precious time! I didn't even think bout being half way thru. Rather would think I'm more than half way thru these trials!!!!! Changes- well i've noticed some humbling! Plus i've been led to areas needing repentance. Thinking over the past months- it seems as tho my mind is being renewed and shown where my thoughts are not His. His HOLY SPIRIT is ever busy!!!!! I am sooooooo thankful for God's grace, mercy and great love. I've received instruction and understanding regarding prayers. So things are different and there is a peace despite.......... Looking forward- i know chapters that are coming up are ones i have liked better than like Lev./Numbers/Kings. I most enjoy Isaiah. Kings was challenging in keeping up w/ flip-flopping of which king of which kingdom, did good/did bad etc. And i have been trying to learn, but also seeking to hear God's purpose for me digging thru. But hey- He's given me all the time to do so. So you see- I have been GREATLY blessed and I pray THAT for each and everyone of you seeking/worshipping the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. What a precious, precious thing to have amidst all that goes on day upon day. Thank you seems so little to say, but i hope you hear the heart behind it my friends. Praise HIM from Whom all blessings flo...
Whoo-hoo- like Mike says- Let's Go!
Susanna
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Just a comment on your commentary about the man who was raised from the dead after falling out of a window. You keep saying, "Paul raised him from the dead." I believe it was GOD who raised the man from the dead. A big difference, and I think Paul would be the first to agree.
Rapunzel
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I'm about 10 months in the OYB readings and it has definitely changed me! I read through the Bible before, but after a while it became more of a duty and i wasnt really receiving and studying so much, just trying to get thru it after a while. I didnt get as much out of it. This time around I'm remaining eager deep in me to learn and hear from God! I am getting 100% more out of God's word! It is life changing. Similar to Suzanne (Grateful1) I have been kinda "forced" in a place i didnt choose, but God chose for me my circumstances allowing me to engage in the Word more and more. Maybe a big part is the accountability the OYB gives plus fellowship with many believers. God has placed many great ppl in my life to help me learn more. My awesome dad has studied the word most his life and i can turn to him with questions and discussions, not to my mention my church, and radio ministries God has ministered to me with. He really has shown me He wants me to totally focus on Him and put Him in first like I never did before and boy am I blessed! Through trials I am experiencing His love, mercy, deep compassion, and also am experiencing great blessing like never before. Life has always been painful for me, but for the first time God has shown me to live in the now...not the past, not the future. For the first time (dare I say, first time ever) I am enjoying life! (which is big for me, because of my long bouts with depression my whole life since the earliest age i remember). There is also a change in me because I just react differently to things. It surprises me when i dont react the way i normally do...it testifies God is greatly at work changing me. I surely see how ppl can "worship" God yet serve idols (though the Bible clearly says we cannot serve two masters) but I think sometimes we try to have one foot on each side. Its a pretty miserable place to be! (tho I think the ppl in these readings werent genuinely worshipping God). Paul's message in Acts is amazing. I love vs 24!! "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Ha, i wonder if Paul was offended that kid fell asleep during his sermon. I have noticed though, when i am listening to pastors, i can fall into deep sleep too, I think just because hearing God's word is so soothing (not boring!) that it just brings great peace!
Jenny
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Whoo hoo!!! Half way there.
I'm still here, although I've been very quite for a while. I got behind by about 10-days, but as of today I'm caught up!
Good to be here.
Thanks Mike!
Yours in Christ Skip
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I have really enjoyed beginning to read through the Bible in one year. I have had the One Year Bible since the beginning of the year but I have only stumbled across this Website recently. It has been such an encouragement to me and has helped me to continue my daily readings. The comments, reflects, illustrations and songs have help me understand the Word of God in an even deeper way. I thank God for this valuable resource and the people who invest their time and talents into making this an exciting journey through the Bible!
Amanda
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"I'm completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. I do know that it won't be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead. But that matters little. What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God."
isn't that so common. We are clueless as to what lies ahead of us but we trust that whatever happens we will keep fighting the good fight.
I pray that like Paul even if I know hard times are ahead, I will still cling to my Lord and God.
Joanna
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The past 6 months of the one-year Bible plan have been great. It's the first time I've participated in this reading plan, and it's really helped me in accountability. Reading from the Psalms daily helps to focus my mind on praising God, and it is also wonderful to read pieces of wisdom daily from the Proverbs. My hunger for God's Word has grown this year, and I look forward each day to the daily readings. I'm looking forward to continuing to seek God and know Him each day for the rest of this year.
A verse that stood out to me today was Paul's quote of Jesus' words: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Lori
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Being retouch w/ the word of God is honestly great. Looking forward for more and w/ higher aim that I can always manage my time in reading the word of God. To prioritize it is my prayer to be w/ you in the journey, Thank you Bible Blog that there are changes in areas of my life through reading it.Luv Bob
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Thank you so much for Bible Blog I so enjoy this each day. This is my second year of reading along with you and I pray for many more. You are gifted in this area Mike and it is such a blessing for all of us to be in this journey with you.
Love, Lesley
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Praise the Lord Mike !! The first 6 months have been fantastic. I can't wait to continue the Journey. Thanks for all your efforts !!
Billy
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I just joined in the other day reading with ya'll. I finished going through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation a couple of weeks ago(Straight through which I enjoyed but took me about 16 months) but I love the way the One Year Bible does this and hope to continue reading the rest of the year with this blog.
Randy
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Thank you so much for your ministry to us. I haven't read perfectly the Bible half way thru, but I definitely read most days. Love your commentary. God is using his word to draw me closer to him as he transforms my heart and mind. I pray that I would not have any idols but him, wasting time w/ tv and internet are probably idols in my life.
Sheila - Wisconsin
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Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols.
This is a very convicting verse. We hope and often believe that when we are worshipping a God we are acting in a way that will please a God. Of course, the big BUT is whether we are also serving other idols at the same time. If we consider our lives, we likely will find other idols which may not be as important to us are nevertheless things we worship Ito some degree. Our call to worship our God only and to the exclusion of other idols is something different than worshipping Him primarily and above other things.
Greg
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"I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing."
I wish all Christian leaders could say this today
Andrew
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Hi Mike, please know I am greatly encouraged by your continuing postings. I had a few commitments recently and was about a month behind in my readings but have caught up. Kings 1 and 2 were amazing and I have learned such a lot. I particularly enjoyed Elisha's history and the commentary on the passage "Man of God there is death In the pot" such a wonderful insight into the scripture. Thank you so much. Dianne.
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Double blessings today ! Not only have I read halfway through the Bible but it is my granddaughter's birthday . These daily readings are daily reminders of how God wants us to live our lives. If I only showed up for church on Sunday mornings, sang a few hymns, listened to a prayer or two, heard some scripture and the sermon, it would have fortified me through the day. And it did for many years. But as I have grown older and started spending more time with my church friends, I was embarrassed by my mediocre Christianity. I felt like a fraud! I knew I needed more. This is my second journey through the Bible with you, although I have started and stopped several other times, and it gets better every year. I also belong to a Bible study, and when people hear the words "Bible study," they may visual a somber group of people plodding through the Bible reading scripture, while tying to stay awake. not so at all. We have so much fun, and we look forward to seeing each other every week so that we can recharge ourselves in our faith.
God bless you, Mike, and thank you for this blog. Judie
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Good reflection Ramona! Wow we are halfway done with One Year!! How is it so!
2nd Kings..wow the stories of King Hezekiah. You don't hear much about him but many kings in Israel come and go and King Hezekiah lives and reins 29 years. He did everything right and good as his ancestor David. U don't hear that often
Acts: Paul, consistent, meaningful, intentional. His farewell speech at Ephesus. Sweet
Psalm 148, Let everything that has breath praise the Lord, yes!!.
Old Testament - In 2 Kings 15 today we read about several kings in very short order! The thing that amazed me was that things were obviously going from bad to worse in the northern kingdom of Israel with the kings, whereas things appeared a bit more stable in Judah (for this chapter...). 2 Kings 15 opens up with Uzziah reigning in Judah for 52 years - whereas Israel I think has 6 or so kings during Uzziah's reign, most of whom are assassinated! We will see how this all plays out over the next couple of days in our 2 Kings readings. There are definitely some ramifications coming for Israel based on how things are going down in these days. Verses 13 & 14 today really showed how tough it was to be king in Israel in these days - "Shallum reigned in Samaria only one month. Then Menahem son of Gadi went to Samaria from Tirzah and assassinated him, and he became the next king." Reading about Shallum only reigning one month reminds me of how the hearts of men and women are sometimes - that very thing in our world which we seek so strongly, sometimes can be our very downfall. I have no doubt that Shallum wanted to be king very badly - he assassinated King Zechariah in public in verse 10! And yet, becoming king for Shallum did not give him control over all things - he himself was killed just 1 month into his reign. This all makes me think about us today - is there anything in this world that we are striving after that may not be all that it's cracked up to be? Might we risk "gaining the whole world, but losing our soul" in some of our pursuits? Is there anything in this world today that you are pursuing that you are putting above your relationship with God? If so, will you let it go? Will you focus primarily on your relationship with God first and foremost? Will you follow the truths of Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Let us not be greedy in this short and precious life!
In 2 Kings 16 today King Ahaz of Judah messes up big time... Whaddya think about his idea to remove the bronze altar from the Temple and install an altar that was designed in Damascus? Think God will be happy about this? Essentially King Ahaz swapped his security in God to placing his security in King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria and his pagan gods. Stay tuned to upcoming readings... Again - I come back to our lives today. Are we ever similar to King Ahaz in doing something in our lives that we know is not pleasing to God? Do we know what is right and what is wrong and sometimes choose what is wrong? Why do we do this? Can we stop doing this? If so, how? Might it help us to stop doing wrong things if the #1 priority in our lives today were God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? What is the #1 priority in your life today?
New Testament - Wow - strong readings today in Acts 19 verses 13 to 16 about the power of Jesus' name - and how to incorrectly try to "use" his name too - "A team of Jews who were traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus. The incantation they used was this: "I command you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!" Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But when they tried it on a man possessed by an evil spirit, the spirit replied, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul. But who are you?" And he leaped on them and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and badly injured." Jesus' name is the name above all other names - but we should never try to "use" Jesus' name as an incantation or spell. We can call upon Jesus believing that he and his power will be there with us. But we should not call upon Jesus' name as if His name was "magic" in some way. It is holy. It is not magic. When is the last time you called on Jesus' name? How has calling on the holy name of Jesus ever changed a situation in your life?
Sad stuff that Demetrius stirs up the Ephesians against Paul for one primary reason - his pocketbook. Paul's preaching of the one true living God was cutting into D's profits of handmade gods. And so D called on patriotism and loyalty to Artemis to go against Paul's truthful teaching. I wonder if we in our lives today ever choose our finances over God? Have you ever chosen finances over God? How does this play into your giving/tithing? An interesting note from today's readings is that the temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World". Jesus obviously is the One wonder of the entire world - ever ancient, ever new. But fyi the temple of Artemis may have looked something like the image below:
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "The Evangelization of Ephesus" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 147 was thought to have been written for Levitical singers on the happy occasion of the dedication of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem - see Nehemiah 12:27-43. Psalm 147 was divided into two Psalms - verses 1 through 11 and 12 through 20 - in the Septuagint, the pre-Christian Greek translation of the Old Testament. However, the Hebrew text has the Psalm as one whole Psalm. Verses 10 and 11 are an incredible middle point of this Psalm that stood out to me today: "The strength of a horse does not impress him; how puny in his sight is the strength of a man. Rather, the LORD's delight is in those who honor him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love." These verses remind me that God really is not impressed with our shows of "strength" or "independence." God is much more impressed when we are dependent on Him. Are you honoring the Lord with your life today? Do you put his hope in his unfailing love? Or do you rely on your own strength?
Today in Psalm 147 I liked verse 15 a lot: "how swiftly his word flies!" Indeed, it is true! I pray God's Word, the Bible, is flying swiftly (and powerfully!) in your life this year!
Proverbs - I love Proverbs 18 verse 4 - "A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook." Have you ever received words of life-giving water from someone? Have you ever given words of life-giving water to someone? I love the analogy of true words of wisdom being as refreshing as a bubbling brook! So true!
Worship Video: Today's readings reminds me of the For King and Country song "Joy:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today:"The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Psalm 147:11 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you have a healthy fear of the LORD today, and forevermore. Pray that you are putting your hope in the LORD's unfailing love above anything else this world might offer.
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:
II Kings 15-16:20
So many kings so little time to know them all. The history of Israel’s kings and its people can be summed up in Proverbs 28:2
2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
I’ve heard it stated that one must always find out how an organization or entity began because the threads of the motivation that gave it birth will always be woven through out it’s existence. Israel’s was birthed out of rebellion, Jeroboam took ten of the tribes out from under the rule of Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, and she continued in that rebellion throughout her existence with her kings as drum majors. If I compared my life to Israel how many kings have I allowed myself to follow, few or many. As a Christian my only king should be Jesus any other ruler brings chaos and strife, and many regime changes.
I find it interesting that nothing is really said abut King Uzziah, who reigned for fifty-two years, in this book. His place in this volume seems to be used as a time line to contrast his reign with the multiple numbers of kings Israel had which was five to one.
The other thing I noticed when Judah’s kings are introduced, at least the good ones, it states that what they did was pleasing to the Lord and then that “But” word enters the picture.
15 4But he did not destroy the pagan shrines, where the people offered sacrifices and burned incense
Is this representing the toleration of sin and its ultimate effect? Had they become so comfortable with deviant life style choices apostasy was accepted? If you play with sin it will play with you. Maybe at first it looks cute because it is small like a little baby lion. Then it grows up and eats you out of house and home, and then eventually it eats you: Dinner anyone?
Acts 19:13-41
I’ve always chuckled when reading about the seven sons of Sceva and their encounter with the evil spirit. Thier method must have worked for a while because if this incident happened when they first began their pseudo ministry, it would have been their last missionary trip. I wonder what tipped off the spirit that these guys were not entitled to use the name of Jesus. How can I apply this to what is going on today with false preachers, AKA, “Jack-leg preachers” and ministries?
Both the sons of Sceva and Demetrius share the same problem, love of money. The seven boys were probably collecting for their efforts and Demetrius was concerned that folks turning to Jesus would substantially decrease his revenue stream.
I’m wondering if we may be giving Demetrius too much credit for starting the riot. Yes, he may have used words to incite the crowds but if the crowd wasn’t receptive to his words and the emotions that are fed by manipulation, there would not have been a riot. The mob allowed themselves to be incited. God gave each person something called free will. We chose to allow ourselves to be carried along by emotional appeals or to allow our brains to critically think over situations we may find ourselves in and make choices based on truth and principles. Life is all about choices.
Psalm 147:1-20
5 How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!
I need to remember this verse every time I cry out to God, “Lord you just don’t know what I’m going through!” Not only does He know what I’m going through His understanding about my situations is far and away higher than my perceptive insight if I have any.
Proverbs 18:4-5
One of the stronger themes that run through this wonderful book is the power of words: The words we speak to ourselves, the words we speak to others, and the words spoken to us by others. In fact, in order to favor the guilty or to condemn the innocent, words must be spoken over and into the lives of people.
Grace and peace, Ramona
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The situation between Paul and Demetrius is an all too familiar one in this day and age. It sometimes seems that all anyone is concerned about is the $$$ and NOT doing what is right and good in the eyes of God...I work in the healthcare field...I experience this all the time! Mike, I really appreciate your down-to-earth style of writing. This is my first time reading the Bible and some of the passeges can be really frustrating, but your comments seem to get me back on track. Thanks and God bless!
Colleen
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It struck me as well how things were going from bad to worse...how leaving a godless life was leading the people of Judah and Israel to a life of hideous crimes.As everything else it only takes one step at a time...one day without praying,another without reading the bible. So many times I see the name of God and Jesus uttered in vain...Today the name of Jesus is used to exploit people,sometimes it is even cursed...Like Israel of old....the sins of the world are really running over.We want to worship ourselves using God's name as a means to do so...seeking God only for benefits....May God help us all become true worshippers in spirit and in truth. God bless you all Anka
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Mike,
>>And so D called on patriotism and loyalty to Artemis to go against Paul's truthful teaching. I wonder if we in our lives today ever choose our finances over God? >>
I would like to add, how many use “patriotism and loyalty” as a cover for their true financial, physical, and material interest? Growing up on households where church leadership used those three covers as smoke and mirrors to hide behind sexual depravity, I am always skeptical of folks who use Christianity and its tenets of faith to gather up a posse. We get riled up in an emotional tirade by their pitting Christianity against a perceived societal or legal wrong, wrongly or rightly, in such a way that we fail to examine the facts as well as the person putting forth the accusations. Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean you shoot your brains out
Everything we are reading and seeing in the Book of II Kings dealing with Israel right now can be summed up by two passages:
When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue. (Proverbs 28:2 AMP)
Jesus sums up the consequences of rooting out evil and depravity (Jehu), getting the house in order, yet not filling it with anything, righteousness being left in the “streets.”
When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it roams through waterless places in search [of a place] of rest (release, refreshment, ease); and finding none it says, I will go back to my house from which I came. And when it arrives, it finds [the place] swept and put in order and furnished and decorated. And it goes and brings other spirits, seven [of them], more evil than itself, and they enter in, settle down, and dwell there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. (Luke 11:24-26 AMP)
The above two passages not only speak to Israel it speaks to our lives, personal and corporate. Having a great looking body, controlled by rules and regulations—do’s and don’t—does not make a Believer. I like what John wrote yesterday about worship, especially the part about …false worshipers worshiping the True God. Truly, the state of Israel after Jehu was became worse then before him.
Grace and peace, Ramona
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On a lighter but pointed note, has anyone ever expierenced the words of Acts 19:32 in a meeting of some kind, especially church meeting, "Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn't even know why they were there." I realize this statement is made of a bunch of pagans, but I've experienced the same out of control 'group dynamic' in several churches I've been a part of. No wonder Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 that "all things must be done decently and in order."
Luch
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This bit from Psalm 147 (v4) today is kinda cool:
"He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name."
Reminds me of the 'Star Registry' I've heard advertised on the radio which enables you to name a star after yourself (or someone you love). Seems like usurping God's name there may not be such a great idea!
Art
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I slacked off and am not proud of it... but I'm back. What struck me today was the verse from proverbs
"many words rush along like rivers in flood but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs"
it gave me a slighly diff take than the other version quoted here.
simply said, it reminded me that talking too much isn't always good. Like a flood you just sweep away everything in your path without checking to see whether you could learn something or help someone. Deep wisdom on the other hand takes time to come up from the ground and it flows... gently and peaceably, I suppose. Reaching out to those who really need that extra word of encouragement or that constructive piece of advice.
see you tomorrow :)
Joanna
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The seven sons of Sceva are an example of taking the Lord's name in vain. They were using the name of Jesus as a magic word, a spell that would cast out the demons, when they were not believers in or followers of Jesus. They took it and used it in vain.
Too often Christians assume that taking the Lord's name in vain means to simply say the all too familiar curse phrase "God damn." That certainly often is a casual, disrespectful use of God's name, and its use in that way is not to be encouraged. But the Bible is also full of examples of Godly people asking God to condemn the wicked and punish them, which is what that phrase really means.
There are a lot of examples I could come up with of using the Lord's name in vain, but to cut right to the point, the worst is to claim to belong to Christ when you don't follow Him. In the King James translation, Exodus 20:7 says "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." There have been many, and surely will be many more, who "take" the name of Jesus for their own advantage, who have not allowed Him to take over in their lives and have not tried to follow Him and do His will. They have "taken his name in vain," and will not be held guiltless, that is saved, by their false profession. Of them Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 (back to the NIV) 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
And Paul warned Timothy in 2Timothy 3:1-5 1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
Having a form of godliness but denying its power is taking the Lord's name in vain. Appearing to be a godly, churchgoing, upright person, but not sincerely worshipping God and seeking to do His will. The third commandment in Exodus 20:7 warns that such people will not be forgiven. Jesus warns in Matthew 7:23 that He will drive them away from His presence. Paul warns us (through Timothy) to stay away from them so we don't fall into their hypocritical ways.
We need to be very careful to keep God in first place in our hearts and in our lives so that we never need to worry whether we've "taken the Lord's name in vain." In the words of 2 Peter 1:10-11, 10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
John
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Psalm 147:4, 5– “He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!” Isaiah 40:26 - Lift your eyes and look into the heavens: Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not a single one of them is missing.
For man, the number of the stars is absolutely beyond our capability. But every one of those stars God has not only counted, but He is very familiar with them; He has a name for each! Should this surprise us? After all He created each and every one of them! "His understanding IS INFINITE"
If you go out on a very dark night, away from the city lights, look up at the stars; I must remind myself that the same God that put those stars in place also made me. I praise Him for His mighty power! Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting! It is an encouragement to me to think about God’s power and care in creating the universe; every detail mattered to Him in His design….from the number of the stars in the sky to the hairs on my head. I am also deeply encouraged today as I remember that just as my God can knows each star by name, He knows my name and He cares deeply for me. Sing out your thanks to the Lord; sing praises to our God.
Colleen
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I know this may be simplistic, but when it says that Ahaz made his son pass through the fire (sacrificed him to Molech), I wonder if Hezekiah saw the death of his (presumably) older brother and made a commitment to please God when he became king, and never sacrifice his son.
Bajo
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Jesus taught his 12 closest disciples to NOT be zealots: referring to who would be greatest, referring to stopping the man who was teaching about the Saviour but was not part of their group. and other examples that don't come to mind right now.
Still, we are to be openly honest, and to be consistent in our values. The "Politeness Disease," the "Political Correctness," the "Hate Speech via specific words phobia" ideals that have ruined two generations recently, and others earlier, are NOT what Jesus would do.
Josephine
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Seeing Matthew 6:33 always makes me smile - It's my life verse! When Jesus called me out of the occult, I lost my means of earning a living since I used to be a Tarot reader. I have no regrets!
Fred
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I love Tom Dooleys audio! He is awesome. So many kings is right..sad to want something so bad and want to be respected and it isn't what you were cut out for. I hope the thing I prayed for will be a blessing this year and not a curse. ;-)
It's sad that patriotism or money can be greater in rulers eyes than God but we see it played so many times and sometimes it moves without the ruler quite knowing what happened. Think of our presidential election..makes you wonder if this is played out there too. Hmmm
Old Testament - Today we read about the passing of the prophet Elisha! I am sad that our readings of Elijah and Elisha are now behind us. I don't know what it was about these 2 prophets, but I loved them. Sure, they were a bit rough and gruff at times, but also very tender. They'd send fire down from heaven to kill the prophets of Baal and bears from the trees to kill mockers, but then they'd care for widows. I'm wondering if in our lives today we should be a mix of rough & gruff at times, but also very tender? Should we be rough and gruff toward those that are modern day "prophets of Baal" and tender toward those who need God? I have to confess, I'm rarely rough and gruff toward anyone - well, okay, maybe myself! :) Let me know your thoughts in the Comments below if you think rough and gruff should be in our personality mix at all today? Before Elisha passes he does give one final prophecy to King Joash about beating the Arameans 3 times, just after 2 Kings 13 verses 16 & 17: "Then Elisha told the king of Israel to put his hand on the bow, and Elisha laid his own hands on the king's hands. Then he commanded, "Open that eastern window," and he opened it. Then he said, "Shoot!" So he did."
Then we read about Elisha's passing. Even once Elisha passes on, his bones still give life! I think this is simply because of the life-giving power of God whom Elisha represented during his life. It wasn't the bones themselves that gave life. It was God. Verses 20 & 21 tell us: "Then Elisha died and was buried. Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring. Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the body they were burying into the tomb of Elisha. But as soon as the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!" Below is an image from a woodcut from the Nuremberg Bible, from the year 1483, of the recovery of the deadman who touched the bones of Elisha in today's readings:
In 2 Kings 14 today we read about King Amaziah of Judah. I'm not sure if you caught this - I barely did - but we read about the ancient city of Petra, which is located in modern day Jordan, in verse 7: "It was Amaziah who killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He also conquered Sela and changed its name to Joktheel, as it is called to this day." Sela/Joktheel is the same city as Petra. I'm curious if anyone reading this has visited the ruins of Petra in Jordan? Can you post up reviews in the Comments? Are they worth visiting? I have heard they are incredible! In fact, Bruce Feiler's book, Walking the Bible, has a wonderful chapter on Petra - I highly recommend this book! I hope to visit Petra someday. A map of where Petra is located in comparison to Amman, Jordan, and Jerusalem is below.
New Testament - Today in our readings in Acts, we are introduced to Apollos! Apollos loved God, but initially he didn't fully understand that Jesus gave believers the gift of the Holy Spirit. Apollos understood repentance of sins very well - that was the "baptism of John (The Baptist)" that he preached. Repent from sins and be baptized was Apollos' message, without a strong teaching of the gift of the Holy Spirit after belief in Christ. Well, Priscilla and Acquila more fully explained the Gospel and then Paul introduced the Holy Spirit to believers who were initially taught by Apollos before he learned the full Gospel. A good overview of "Who was Apollos?" is at gotquestions.org at this link. I love that they say at another commentary, "Apollos was teachable." Inferring that you and I should be teachable too when it comes to our faith! Are you teachable? Or do you know it all? :)
Psalms - I love Psalm 146 verse 9 today: "The LORD protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows." If God protects foreigners, orphans and widows, should we protect these folks in our communities as well? How in your life today are you caring for orphans and widows and foreigners? Below is Psalm 146 verses 5 through 10 in another language (can anyone identify this language? I'm sure one of our readers can...), but I think we'll get the point of this image with these 5 verses (re-read verses 5 through 10 again and reflect on this image for a moment):
Proverbs - Proverbs 18 verse 2 remind you of anyone you know? :) "Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions." I am sure each of us is probably thinking of someone else... but I think maybe each of us needs to reflect on this Proverb and ourselves as well... Do you literally listen twice as much as you talk? (hence two ears, once mouth) Do you truly listen to others to gain understanding of their point of view? Or are you quick to rush to air your own opinions? I know that personally I need to reflect on this one... Let us pray each of us has interest in understanding and not just in hearing ourselves talk talk talk! Let us listen!
Worship Video: Today's Psalm and reading about Paul's life in Acts recently reminds me of the Avalon song "Testify to Love:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." Psalm 146:3 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are not placing your hope or trust or worship in mere human beings, who cannot truly save you. Rather, pray that your allegiance is wholly to Jesus, as your LORD and savior.
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:
Mike I like your “rough and gruff” question. I for one believe we do not allow the Holy Spirit to tell us how to respond to any given situation or we suppress what we are being led to say and the tone we are being led to speak it in because we are in fear. We fear what others will think of us or that we will offend others. Many of us even believe that if we speak ever so gentile then the person or people we are speaking to will come running to the Lord either for Salvation or to Repentance.
I have been so “rough and gruff” from time to time when speaking or dealing with people at times I have even looked around and said, “Who said that?” I have even dealt gently with people who were out of control, belligerent and just plan “off-the-hook,” when I just wanted to bop the on the head. In a bible study I was leading on the unproductive fig tree, one of the people who lived on the street, a man, became so unruly because of the topic, he began cursing and shouted, “Why are you bringing up this Bible stuff?” I told him, “To seat down, shut up or leave; after all this is a church.” The authority, volume and intensity of my voice stunned even me. About 18 months latter, as I entered a subway train that a very seldom take I hear someone call my name. Recognizing no one on the I proceeded to take a seat. Again, I heard my name and then he added, “This is Padro.” Here before me was the man who had been out of control now in front of me in his right mind and I didn’t even recognize him. He had cleaned himself up, got into rehab, reconnected with his family and was going to church for a reason other than getting a free meal. I was absolutely stunned. When the original incident happened, there were none too few people rebuking me for my “attitude.” However, that “attitude” was what God used to speak to him.
When directed by the Holy Spirit, “rough and gruff” or “sweet as peaches,” God gives you the “attitude” needed to get the job done.
Grace and peace, Ramona
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I have to admit the kings have become a handful for me...I just don't seem to keep track who's whose son and what who did...it was interesting to note that although Jehoahaz did evil in the eyes of God,God was still merciful...and his son Jehoash although he had no regard for God and did evil in His sight,seemed to be fond of Elisha whom he called his father....strange...What also seems strange is that Elisha had a double portion of the annointing....his bones had raised the dead...yet he himself died due to an illness.... I believe when you have a passion for God in your heart and you seek Him,no matter where you are God'll make sure you are taught his ways.I had planned to read the bible through a few times and failed...the God showed me a way to do it..May God lead us all to those who are searching and whose hearts are ready to receive God...may God sustain us in praying for those whose hearts are hardened so that they too may be ready to receive Him...May God keep our hearts steadfast and our hopes alive even when it seems we're in the eye of a tornado.... God bless you all Anka
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Anka,
I meant to post this about "double portion" back in 2Kings. It makes sense to me - otherwise why not ask for three, four or five times as much? Double portion was used for a reason, and must have had a Biblical reference - I think the comment below might be correct.
The idea of a double portion was not to ask for twice as much as Elijah had, but to ask for the portion that went to the firstborn son, as in Deuteronomy 21:17. Elisha asked for the right to be regarded as the successor of Elijah, as his firstborn son in regard to ministry. Yet Elisha had already been designated as Elijah’s successor (1 Kings 19:19). This was a request for the spiritual power to fulfill the calling he already received.
A comment about the 'rough and gruffness' of Elijah and Elisha. Although there are times their behaviour seems odd, I like that they are not 'modeling' this "miss good manners' approach to the kingdom way of life. They remind me of wild eyed, passionate, hard driving people like John the baptist. I sometimes think that Christians equate nice behaviour with authentic godliness. Whatever their 'quirks' they model to me 'originality and spontaneity'. Rarely does it say they dishonoured God by their 'oddness'. I think erwin McManus' is on to something profound in his book The Barbarian Way. He suggests we have become way too civilized as Christians. Christianity has become a pseudoynm for politeness and proper manner, yada, yada. We have managed to 'hush' out the passion in the lives of our young and some have opted for other non Christian spiritualities that they will surely find wanting, but for a time find appealing.
thanks Elijah and Elisha for being real and for modeling the God life in its various dimensions. We may not understand you but let's let Jesus have the final word on these guys from Luke 1:17 "And he will go before the Lord, IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom fo the righteous--to make a people ready for the Lord."
And james said of elijah in James 5:17 "Elijah was a man just like us...."
Luch
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I've always had a question about the people in the Old Testament who were unable to keep the law God gave Moses. Did they go to heaven? I'm sure they must have, but how? I've heard different answers. Some say that they when to "the bosom of Abraham". Some say if they believed in the coming Messiah, they went to heaven. What do some of you think?
Shirley
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Proverbs 18:2 "Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions." This is a great verse. And good advice from Mike about being a better listoner rather than talking all the time. If you are somewhat of an extravert like I am, (one who talks before thinking) It is very good advice to follow. Thinking before writting also applies.
Being a visual person, I was in awe of the photo's of the ruins which showed the buildings that were carved in Rock in Petra. I would love to visit that country to see them for myself. Quite amazing.
Luch, commented about the rough and gruffness of the behavior of Elijah and Elisha. These men were some of the major prophets whose stories are told throughout the bible. We have many examples of modern day leaders and men of God that have very strong personalites. God uses each of us, in a way that we might not even understand. Those whose hearts follow the Lord and yield to His teachings and wisdom, are all valuable and mighty to God. He made us all different for a reason. I always learn something different when I read about the mighty men and woman in bible. Praise God for leaders like Elijah and Elisha.
Anka, I admit all these characters have been a handful for me too, as far as understanding goes. I appreciate always your heartfelt comments and thoughful prayers to the group. Blessings, Laura
Laura
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I think the language in the graphic is Dutch. No, I can't read it, but with all the o's in between consonants, that's what it looks like
Birdie
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~Let me know your thoughts in the Comments below if you think rough and gruff should be in our personality mix at all today?
Jesus calls us to be humble as He was. But, I remember when He entered the temple and saw how the people had defiled it...He was tough and gruff. Therefore I believe that we should only be that way if we are defending God stand against evil, or defending our lives or the lives of others. I also remember when Jesus called the Pharisees vipers and whitened sarcophagus. But, He was still humble against verbal attacks. The humbleness He portrayed on the cross was because of the love He feels for us and the obedience He has towards His father. The popular phrase; "What would Jesus do" is a hard thing to live be. There are so many times we Christians try our best to walk in His example but, it is virtually impossible. That is why I am sooooo grateful for His mercy. We serve a mighty Lord!!!!!
~Are you teachable? Or do you know it all? The famous philosopher Plato before he died said: "I only know that I know nothing." I must agree with him :-)
~If God protects foreigners, orphans and widows, should we protect these folks in our communities as well? Yes we should protect them. We are the church... God commands us to love our neighbor's as ourselves.
~How in your life today are you caring for orphans and widows and foreigners? I help support an orphanage in India. The orphanage consists of 34 children; it is a Christian orphanage in a very pagan country. Various widows live in that orphanage with there small babies. These are called half orphans, because they care for their children, but are fed by the orphanage. The ministry is called "Grace TotalLife Ministry". It is run by Pastor Sunder Lal. He is listed as one of my favorite friends on my profile. Please check to see if you too would like to help.
~(can anyone identify this language? I'm sure one of our readers can...) Yes, It is Dutch. I know that Mae can identify it. Right Mae?":-)
~What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Psalm 146 "The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down."
As I was looking at the pictures and reading the psalm it really touched me that God says here: " raiseth them that are bowed down".. When a person is homeless they are either on the floor sleeping or walking with there head down. I pray that God will supply there every need. That they would find comfort int he Lord.
"The LORD preserveth the strangers; " Here in Miami we have migrant workers that work the field because no one else wants to do it. They have no legal rights. No one defends them. They are victims of cruel violence. Sometimes people get in there homes at night and steel the little they have and vandalize there homes and sometimes even beat them. Please pray for these people. They need so much and are ignored by society
Carmen
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Yes, that is Dutch..I only know cause I got it wrong earlier this year. Our dear Mae corrected me! I have never been to Petra. In Acts when Aquila and Priscilla were teaching Apollos, i have heard that scripture used wen discussing women teaching men. It is ok for women to teach men if there are no men who are qualified to step up, such as the case with Deborah. Also, they did it as a husband/wife team.
I liked this Psalm: "Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish."
I think sometimes we become too reliant on other people. I mean its good we love, help, be with people, but we must know they are ppl. I have seen so many turn from God and devote themselves to their romantic relationships over God. BAD CHOICE! I certainly have been prone to that, God has pulled me away many times...its actually very painful! but, God loves me so He disciplines me. Ppl fail us, always. thats just a fact. Jesus Christ never fails! "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God"
I think one way to be kind to foreigners is regarding illegal immigrants. I live in southern CA, its a hot topic here. yes, ppl are to abide by laws..but God is above the laws and God told us to love one another and care for the foreigner, to have compassion on others!
Jenny
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I think I may need some ruff and gruff myself. While this is hardly a place to air our personal problems, I am crying out to my one year bible family. I am 42, very healthy, and really quite well functioning. My only daughter graduated from high school and my mom retired on Friday. These two events have me so thrown off. I can't stop crying, I can't stop worrying about my inability to pay for my daughter to go to college and yet I know it will work out somehow. I feel afraid because my parents have always been financially stable and strong and now they are not, and it's time for me to grow up. I feel like I need a good talking to, a ruff and gruff moment of "shake it off, knock it off and grow up!" I just need some help. You are all "strangers", but I read your words everyday, and respect you greatly. Sorry about the inappropriateness of this note in this forum. Thanks.
Lori
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I have been to Petra and YES go when you get the opportunity. It is so much larger in reality than when you see it in pictures or movies. Thank you for pointing out that Sela was Petra; I did not realize that. AND I believe that it will be the place where Israel runs to be saved during the Tribulation.
Margaret
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Hi Mike, Just wanted you to know how much I am enjoying your blog. Thank you for the countless hours you must sacrifice putting all of this together to allow all of us here to just come and sit and read and worship and pray. I know it is kingdom work and your reward will be from the Lord for your passion to see people in God's Word. I am also thankful that I have been found faithful in my reading and I am thrilled that being part of the One Year Bible Blog has helped me to be so. Blessings to you from this thankful heart.
Jane
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I came across your blog today. I'm currently reading through the One Year Bible (just started this month). In reading today's passage, several things stood out to me. Including: 1) 2 Kings 13:3-4 the people were being defeated by their enemies due to their own disobedience but when even when a wicked King turned and prayed God heard and answered his prayer. The prayer was Lord answered by sending a person to help defeat their enemies. 2. Even in oppression God did not allow Israel to be completely destroyed. 3) vs. 19 sometimes we quit to quickly-one time victory doesn't mean our enemies will not come back again. 4)where to put my confidence-just to list a few.
Wanda
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Yes, I do think that sometimes we have to be rough and gruff and I seem to have a problem with that, but I am learning. I have a person in my life who always tries to use my Christianity against me just because I don't do everything just the way they think it should be done.
Stacey
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I am not sure of the "rough and gruff" aspect of our personalities. This is something good to think about. We dealt with bullying at our school this year, and part of the teaching was working with the 98% who are not the bully or the bullied. The 98% who observe it, stand by and do nothing. I think of that saying (loose paraphrase) "All that it takes for evil to flourish, is that good men stand by and do nothing." This reminds me that we should always resist oppression or evil, and not just stand by wrigning our hands.
Does this mean that we may need to be "rough and gruff" at times? I really don't know!
For myself, I can honestly say that most of the times I have been "rough and gruff" especially with my children, are sin on my part. But possibly, there is a time to be "rough and gruff" in standing up for the gospel? I would welcome others' thoughts.
Eve
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Rough and Gruff, WOW. As a retired LEO(Law enforcement Officer 40+ years ) I have a very difficult time moving over to the Meek and Mild side. It's almost impossible to do sometime,with the help of the Holy Spirit I am trying to control the Ruff and Gruff. My Ruff and Gruff side sees only Black and White,not to many shades of Grey. Thank You for your Blog.
Martin
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I agree with you Martin, after 26 years in the military my family still reminds You are not in the Navy now so use your tender voice. Thanks Mike for leading us.
Doug
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Hello! I visited Jordan including Petra last year. It is one of the most amazing places I've ever seen. I always pick places that are mentioned in the Bible. I also went to Ephesus last year. It is really nice.
Rita
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I’m thinking of Apollo’s and how he was familiar with John’s baptism but needed the Truth about Jesus Christ’s death resurrection and forgiveness. I recently finished a class called Perspectives which address missions. I have been praying for the Unreached. Muslims and Jews have part of the understandings they need the gospel. They are very much Apollo’s. Please pray for their salvation.
Susan
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Sadly, rough and gruff comes a bit too easily for me a lot of the time. I often need to show more grace than I do.
The story of Apollos reminds me of the context I was saved in. The Baptist church where I was saved and baptized in 1987 had more or less done away with the Holy Spirit, to the point of referring to Charismatics as children of the Devil simply because they practiced the sign gifts.
I need to blog about that whole experience, I think. It's a big part of why I started drifting quite soon after I was saved. I was young and couldn't just live my whole life on the promise of going to Heaven one day, which was all my church seemed to care about. I wanted life, the fulness of life that I had been promised in the Gospel, but I didn't know how... so I toddled off into the occult and got lost there for 20 years before returning to Christ earlier this year.
He saved me all over again and this time, I'm able to find all the relevant teachings to help me grow online. Once the lockdown is over I pray the Lord will help me find the right church home--One that doesn't deny the gifts of the Spirit.
Fred
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You asked about Petra. My wife and I visited Petra about 5 years ago. In my opinion, it was well worth the time. It was a bit complicated to get there because the tour originated from the Jordanian side, and we entered from Israel, thus a customs experience. Once on the tour bus, things went smoothly. At Petra, you have a choice of walking into the canyons or doing another guided tour riding in on a buggy pulled by mules. Walking in was downhill, so it was easy. It was hot coming back out, so the uphill walk was a bit more challenging. Do some research before going in, and it will have more meaning.
Edward
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Yes I love that Ramona. Rough, gruff..smooth as peaches the Lord directs us. And yes Mike it's hard to believe the stories of Elijah and Elisha are behind us. They were a force to be reckoned with.
Acts..got to learn that imperfect people are willing to be taught and taught me that we have to be teachable..
Psalm: praise the Lord..and yes the Lotd cares for us all even the orphans and widows..
Proverbs: and yes I don't want to be a fool. 2 ears one mouth for a reason
Old Testament - Eventful readings today in 2 Kings 11 for the coming of a 7 year old king of Judah, Joash! Below are 2 images for 2 Kings 11 verses 13 & 14: "When Athaliah heard all the noise made by the guards and the people, she hurried to the LORD's Temple to see what was happening. And she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar, as was the custom at times of coronation. The officers and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets."If God can work all things together for the good of the nation of Israel through a 7 year old boy turned King (Joash), do you trust God can work all things together for good in your life? (Roman 8:28) What is something recently in your life that seemed unlikely or small (like a 7 year old king) that God turned into a good in your life?
It is great to see that in 2 Kings 12 Joash is passionate for the repair of the Temple in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 12 verse today 9 tells us: "Then Jehoiada the priest bored a hole in the lid of a large chest and set it on the right-hand side of the altar at the entrance of the Temple of the LORD. The priests guarding the entrance put all of the people's contributions into the chest."
New Testament - Today's readings in Acts 18 are important in that Paul is beginning his work of building the church in Corinth through his ministry! We of course are very familiar now with Paul's letters of 1st and 2nd Corinthians - today we get a glimpse of how Paul's relationship with the city of Corinth began. Verses 9 through 11 let us clearly know that the Lord was very involved in Paul's ministry in Corinth: "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, "Don't be afraid! Speak out! Don't be silent! For I am with you, and no one will harm you because many people here in this city belong to me." So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God." How are you involved in helping to build or support the church today? What are some ways that God has called you to love and serve your local church? How about the global church?
Per Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion today: "Corinth was the political and commercial center of Greece, surpassing Athens in importance. It had a reputation for great wickedness and immorality. A temple to Aphrodite - goddess of love and war - had been built on the large hill behind the city."
Psalms - I love the imagery today in Psalm 145 verse 9! "The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation." Do you believe that God is good to everyone? Do you feel God's compassion being showered upon you right this very moment?
Proverbs - Proverbs 18 verse 1 is a great reminder that God created us to be in community with others! "A recluse is self-indulgent, snarling at every sound principle of conduct." Are you in community with others? In what ways? Are there some ways that God might be calling you to go deeper into community with others? Are you part of a church community? Think God would want you to be part of a church community? Why or why not?
Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of TobyMac's song "Cornerstone:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love." Psalm 145:8 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you experience - consciously - God's grace and compassion and love each and every day of your life. Pray that you never experience God's full anger.
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:
II Kings 10:32-12:21 Two things really caught my eye in today’s readings.
1) How quick we are to call others out on a perceived sin when we are in sin ourselves. Athaliah, Joash’s grandmother, who had all of his brothers killed when her son Ahaziah died so she could be large-and-in-charge, didn’t recognize her own BIG shortcomings. But then again she was the daughter of King Ahab of Israel so she learned her lessons well. Calling out “Treason! Treason!” when she realized the grandson she didn’t kill was being anointed King of Israel seeing that she was a “serial” killer herself, hmmm! So much for family values.
2) The first two verses of the twelth chapter absolutely floored me, 1Joash began to rule over Judah in the seventh year of King Jehu's reign in Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother was Zibiah, from Beersheba. 2 All his life Joash did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. In other translations, it makes clear that as long as the priest Jehoiada was living and instructing Joash, the King did what was pleasing in the Lords’ sight.
I have had this argument or debate going on inside of me for sometime and it is about self-control and boundaries placed on and in oneself because of self-restraint and not because of external controls and restraints. When external controls are removed and the person has not developed any internal controls, they will go hog wild, something I see all the time in my place of employment, a College. When not too few students are touring the school with their parents they look like little angels, but when the semester begins and they are dropped off on their own, well …! What happened to the spiritual quidence of Jehoiada?
When Josah relied on the strength of a bribe, the handing over the sacred objects three kings before him had amassed to quell the passion of King Hazael, instead of relying on God to being Judiah’s strong tower, was Jehoiada dead? Was his assassination by his trusted advisers triggered by angry reactions from what he had given to the enemy? These are all rhetorical questions.
Acts 18:1-22 12 But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose in concerted action against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment.
This reminds me of a comment made about the devil waiting for a more opportune time to tempt Jesus after His wilderness experience. It seems the Jews were waiting for the right political climate to pounce on Paul. Goes to show the more things change the more they stay the same. The Devil never sleeps he is just waiting for a door to open. Luke 4 13 When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.
Psalm 145:1-21
This is a great Psalm to use in studying God’s attributes and to remind and rehearse within your hearing the character of God.
Proverbs 18:1
1 A recluse is self-indulgent, snarling at every sound principle of conduct.
Couldn’t John the Baptist be considered a recluse? I’m not sure if the recluse that comes to mind in our thinking is the same recluse mentioned in this verse. David, before he became king, while he was still a shepherd boy in his father’s house could be considered isolated ‘cause he was hanging out with the sheep.
This verse from the Amplified Bible, 1HE WHO willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment.
Grace and peace, Ramona
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joash looks a bit like a hobbit...
but the fellowship of the ring is also about community as the proverbs verse suggests. why is it that we all know deep down that community and preferring others needs is the path to happiness, yet continually do the opposite! it can't be as simple as original sin, can it? i think we must just be bad learners...
rob
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I certainly do feel thats Gods compassion is being showered at this very moment and into everyones future. There must be a power (God) that is steering our cars whether it is for a long or short life it is him that we must live our life for. PS love the paintings and the map:) Brian
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One thing that's pretty cool is that Sosthenes (the synagogue ruler that got beat up by the Jews) must have become a Christian because he is named/listed with Paul as one of the writers to the Corinthian church in 1 Cor 1:1. God used Paul to convert not just 1 but 2 synagogue rulers!
Todd
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2 Kings 10:32-12:21
Random thoughts or things that make me go, “Hmmm.”
Jehu: One can carry out the will of God, operate in obedience to God’s directions and command and still turn their backs on God. Activity and movement without momentum does not that someone is righteous. WE must wait around for the fruit to appear and then inspect it.
Athaliah: Many a time I get this strong unction that, the devil does his best recruiting on the “church bench.” Yet here we see that the best place to hide the future king was in the Temple. Athaliah never thought to look there because no one every whet there to worship anymore or she just had this “thing” about going inside the House of the Lord. I also see from her that we have the propensity to demand of others what we are unwilling to do ourselves. Athaliah cried, “Treason,” when she saw Josiah being crowned king, yet she had treasonously killed off ever heir to the thrown, except Josiah seven years before. We cannot demand from others what we are unwilling to do ourselves. We become hypocrites.
The clergy of yesteryear had as much trouble keeping their hands out of the cookie jar as they do today. It was the “working class/blue collar” man that dealt honestly with the monies given to them to repair the Temple. The priests in charge of the collection could not be trusted to “take some of the money to repair the temple,” (II Kings 12:5). No matter what we think the preacher is or is not doing with the collection box, we are suppose to do what God tells us to do, give and do the work of the ministry.
Grace and peace, Ramona
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Psalm 145:18-19 "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. "He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them."
I absolutely love this psalm! What a comfort and promise this is. To know that God hears us and is near every time we call Him in truth. He fill give us our desires as long as we fear Him.
It comes to mind the times that people use God's name in vain. That really bothers me. It is offensive to my spirit. There are times that I might be waiting in a line at a store and I hear behind me people cursing and using Gods name with curse words. I would like to say to them: "What does God have to do with this? This is man's doing...not God's"
It is incredible how so many people like to blame God for things that are caused by man. I must say this is one of my pet peeves. It is frustrating to hear and see. It takes allot of patience not to insult those people.
But God says we must re frame from violence. Even though lately the Bible readings we have been studying are very violent indeed. I thank God that we are in the dispensation of grace. It seems like in those days everything was "an eye for an eye... and... a tooth for a tooth."
Now there are rules in society that condone violence.... which were based on the 10 commandments.
We can see in scripture that before Jesus came...life had very little value. After Jesus...life is respected and preserved more than before. Jesus gave us a perfect example. I believe..because of Him now...women have a better place in society. We see how He valued women. After all, they were the first ones to see Him after His resurrection.:-) To all...have a great day! Let us today make an effort to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!!
Carmen
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Paul was "afraid". I must have let my eye slide over that word many times before. It makes him more human to me. It is wonderful to know that God can work through us even if we are afraid.
Julie
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We've all known of people who were reclusive because in their own eyes they were better than all of society. They condemn and grumble about everything. That's not godly, as John's and David's meditations about God in the wilderness were.
John Culp
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2 Kings 12:13-15 13 The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the LORD; 14 it was paid to the workers, who used it to repair the temple. 15 They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.
The repair of the Temple was inspired by Joash, who was crowned in the Temple when he was seven. I believe this 'childhood experience' had a big impact on this king. His kingship was granted by the LORD in the Temple. It seemed that it was not only King Joash was reverent, he inspired his people (the carpenters and builders, the masons and stonecutters) were reverent. They did not have accounting records. But they acted with complete honesty. This makes me think of the early church (e.g. Acts 2:43-47) when they sold their properties and shared among them with similar honesty.
Psalm 145:15-16 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
These two verses give me a new understanding in the present time when climate changes and food becomes a scarcity. We should know that it is God that provides suitable amount of rain, light etc. that let the food grows.
Frederick
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God's grace and compassion was pointed out to me again with this scripture. Showed me that God is in total control of this country and this world. I got mad about the Health Care decision today and this was just what I needed to bring me back!! Thank you, Judy
Judy
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Mike and everyone, Psalm 145:1-2 (NIV) “I will extol you my God and King and bless your name for ever and ever. Everyday I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and ever.” i looked up Psalm 145, and found this sermon: It All Ends in Praise, Psalm 145, A Sermon preached in Duke University Chapel on July 29, 2012 by the Rev. Bruce Puckett. The sermon says: 'Here the Psalmist doesn’t seem to be concerned with the “how to’s” of praise, whether we use an organ or a piano or even a guitar in our music of praise. The Psalmist is concerned about the “who” of our praise. The Psalmist emphasizes the object of the praise, Whom all of creation proclaim now and will proclaim forever in word and deed.' May God bless that everyone who follows the One Year Bible Blog will continue to dwell in His Word faithfully every day; that we will continue to learn more about His characters; and may He bless that each one of us will praise Him daily for who He is! Thank you Mike! Thank you everyone! God bless you!
Sincerely, Joyce
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I don't believe that John The Baptist was a recluse in the sense that he separated himself from God. Let's keep passages in context. Proverbs wasn't about John The Baptist or David. Love God, Love each other. We need to be thankful for people like David and John the Baptist. There are enough worldly people putting our forefathers down, we don't need to help. Sorry if I ruffled any feathers. I love my Lord and am most thankful for grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Alan
Alan
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It is interesting to see a 7 year old hid and kept to be pronounced king. That is interesting. It's also sad that a queen mother kills all the living heirs to the throne to gain power. Sad. However Joash did a great job at restoring and fixing what was broken. Kind of wish he could come to my home amd do the same. My hubs and I seem to miss that in life and finances get in the way but we still love and never lack.
Got to meet Priscilla and Aquila today and learn about Corinth. Paul's stay there for a year and half. We have a chance to go to Greece next year and if not, it is on my bucket list. Ephesus and Cyprus is on there. Cool reading history and seeing a reflection of locations to travel that has such culture!
Though a little long I love Psalm 145 and it is great to see attributes of the Lord and that he is slow to anger and gracious and compassionate! Amen!
Recluse..I know a few who could be that ..mixed signals on that and like Ramona said couldn't John the Baptist and David the shepherd be one? Hmmm
Dee
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Acts 18 (NKJV) 1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
NOTE: Note in particular Acts 18, verse 2: “…he [i.e., Paul] found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus…”
Discovering the location of Pontus revealed to me more of God’s working in history.
According to the IVP NT Commentary on Acts 18, note where Aquila (“eagle”) and Priscilla (“venerated or esteemed woman”) are from:
“Luke introduces Aquila as a native of Pontus, an area of north-central Asia Minor, bordering on the Black Sea, which formed an administrative unit with Bithynia.”
This is very interesting to me, especially in light of the fact that the Spirit of Jesus specifically would not allow Paul earlier to go to Bithynia, as noted below:
Acts 16 (NKJV) 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit [of Jesus] did not permit them.
Paul had such a passion for the Gospel, and to honor the Gospel and Presence of the Lord Jesus.
Paul had such a passion that—even though (for whatever reason) Jesus Himself would not allow Paul to go to Bithynia—God brought Bithynia to him!
Do I have a passion for Jesus and His Gospel? Do you? Do we? These are not meant to be condemning questions, but honest questions that I need to take time to meditate upon.
This reminds me of another verse in Acts 18. Acts 18 (NKJV) 5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
John Wesley said about verse 5 (John Wesley’s notes on the Bible): “Every Christian ought diligently to observe any such pressure in his own spirit, and if it agree with Scripture, to follow it: if he does not he will feel great heaviness.”
CONTINUED NOTE: And how did the people in Bithynia hear about Jesus, the Christ (the Anointed One)?
Acts 18:2 provides part of the answer: “…Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome…”
IVP NT commentary adds another very interesting historical footnote to this part of verse 2:
“Suetonius tells why [i.e., Jews were commanded to depart from Rome]—‘since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus’ (Claudius 25.4).”
“Writing seventy years after the event, Suetonius may have assumed ‘Chrestus’ was simply a local troublemaker; however, the dispute in the Jewish community over Jesus Christus (the names would have been pronounced similarly) was the real issue.”
Who was Suetonius? According to Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia):
“Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (ca 75 AD - after 130 AD ), also known as Suetonius, was a prominent Roman historian and biographer.”
“Suetonius was a close friend to Senator and Historian Pliny the Younger. Pliny describes him as quiet and studious, a man dedicated to writing.”
“Suetonius served on Pliny’s staff when Pliny was Proconsul of Bithynia Pontus (northern Asia Minor) between 110 and 112.”
It is interesting that somehow—even though Paul was not allowed to go to Bithynia to preach the Gospel—the Name of the Lord Jesus was being raised up in Bithynia, albeit by the complaints of Jews against “Jesus Christus” as Roman historian Suetonius writes.
Finally, the IVP NT commentary provides this insight:
“Through the Roman Jews' resistance to the gospel and an emperor's edict, God's sovereign care worked to bring Paul and this couple together.”
Acts 18 (NKJV) 9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
NOTE: When we surrender ourselves fully, entirely, and wholly over to the Lord—this allows Jesus to manifest to us the full, entire, and whole surrender on the Cross that He has already provided for our salvation and protection to do God’s will.
Surrender to me with your heart and your soul Surrender to me I’ll make you whole My love for you will outlast the stars Surrender to Me Like I surrendered for you
Are you frightened… By a world that won’t accept you By your mistakes that won’t forget you By the chance to be someone
Can you believe in… A love that made this whole universe A love that came and He walked this earth A love that died but now is risen for you, then…
Surrender to me with your heart and your soul Surrender to me I’ll make you whole My love for you will outlast the stars Surrender to Me Like I surrendered for you
Vance
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Vance!
I love that song from the Young Life songbook. It's one of the ones we sang the weekend I gave my life to Christ. Love it, love it, love it. Thanks for posting the lyrics.
Micah Girl
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Corinth
Some elaboration:
Corinth was a major city of the Roman Empire, at an important crossroads of trade and travel; it was also a city notorious for its hedonism and immorality.
i. Even in Paul’s day, Corinth was an ancient city. It was a commercial center with two harbors and a long rival to its northern neighbor, Athens. Corinth was a city with a remarkable reputation for loose living and especially sexual immorality. In classical Greek, to act like a Corinthian was to practice fornication, and a Corinthian companion was a prostitute. This sexual immorality was permitted under the extremely prevalent worship of Aphrodite (also known as Venus, the goddess of fertility and sexuality). In 146 BC, Corinth rebelled against Rome and was brutally destroyed by Roman armies. It lay in ruins for a century, until Julius Caesar rebuilt the city, and it quickly re-established its former position as a center for both trade and immorality of every sort.
ii. “It is significant that it was from this city that Paul wrote his Roman letter; and when one reads his description of Gentile corruption in that Roman letter, one has almost certainly a mirror of what he found in Corinth. (Romans 1:22-32)” (Morgan)
iii. One ancient writer described Corinth as a town where “none but the tough could survive.”
Corinth in Paul's day was a large and prosperous commercial city, one of the leading cities in Greece. It owed prosperity not only to the trade that flowed through it, but to several other factors as well. Corinth hosted the biennial Isthmian Games, which drew large crowds to the city. It a had the coveted status of a Roman colony and was the capital of the main province of Achaia (which is why the city's unbelieving Jews were able to bring Paul before the Roman governor, Gallio; Acts 18:12-17). Corinthian brass and pottery wares were famous throughout the Roman world.
But Corinth also had its dark side. A sizeable percentage of its population consisted of slaves, and it was a center of the slave trade. Corinth was such an immoral city that its name became a byword for sexual vice; the verb "to Corinthianize" meant to commit sexual immorality, and 'Corinthian girl" became a slang term for a prostitute. http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sf-2cor.htm
The Corinth of Paul's day was relatively new. The old Corinth (which was famous and powerful in the days of the Peloponnesian War) was burned in 146 B.C. by the Roman proconsul, L. Mummius. Because it was a city devoted to the gods, a hundred years were required to pass before the city could be rebuilt. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar rebuilt the city, populated it with a colony of veterans and freedmen, and named it Julia Corinthus. It soon became a very important commercial center.
With a population of 400,000 and being a prominent center of commerce in the Mediterranean world, it was a place for all sorts of vice. An example of its immorality was found in the temple of Venus (Aphrodite), which hosted 1000 priestesses dedicated to prostitution in the name of religion. The city's close proximity to the city of Athens probably added the problem of intellectualism. As noticed in the epistle, such an environment had its effect upon the church in Corinth. It is amazing that a church existed at all in such a city.
"Afraid" and "Speak" are in the "present imperative" - a command. Can be translated as below:
And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; -NASB
Now the Lord appears to him at night again, with a threefold command attached to a threefold promise, all expressed in biblical language (Deut 31:6; Josh 1:5; Is 41:10; 43:5; Jer 1:7-9):
Do not be afraid (literally, "Stop being afraid")/I am with you
Keep on speaking/No one is going to attack and harm you
Do not be (literally, "become") silent/Because I have many people in this city
Apparently Paul was afraid - maybe as Bob said because success in preaching to Gentiles may intensify opposition. Maybe because Corinth was "such a tough town". Regardless the Lord gave Paul assurance that he would not be physically harmed. At this time it must be that Paul needed this to be a fearless and tireless preacher of the "Word".
Neat to know that the field is "white" for harvest, that hearts were softened, and people would be receptive to Paul's message. Whatever one's belief in "election" is, the verb construct is "present indicative" saying, 'I have (ongoing)many people.'
As before time when God knows the very number of the hairs on our head, God knows His people - and provides for them. In Corinth at this time - Paul is that provision. ====================================================== Gallio sets Precedent
In approaching the proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth are trying to stop Paul not only in Corinth, but also in the entire province (Achaia).
i. “If Gallio had accepted the Jewish charge and found Paul guilty of the alleged offense, provincial governors everywhere would have had a precedent, and Paul’s ministry would have been severely restricted. As it was, Gallio’s refusal to act in the matter was tantamount to the recognition of Christianity as a "religio licita” (Longenecker)
religio licita: Latin for "legal religion"
Julius Caser accorded this status (religio licita) to Judaism, and it is more than likely that Gallio - as other Romans (in government) thought - considered Christianity a branch of Judaism.
Around 60 A.D. this staus for Christianity changed as Rome realized it was a distinct religion from Judaism. Chrisitianity became an "illegal religion" and the persecutions started and grew in intensity.
Interesting how God works:
1) as a dispersed nation it was important For Judaism to have this protection - without it, it is doubtful the people or religion would have survived.
2) God took the church's biggest persecutor (Paul) and made him one of the early church's greatest evangelists. Avoiding elimination and ensuring growth.
3) Christianity's early status as a "legal religion" protected it from persecution (elimination) until a time where it had grown past "critical mass" (such a size that it would be impossible to eliminate).
John
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oops -
The "legal religion" status was a Roman thing. It did not keep the Jews from trying to stop growth or from persecuting Christians.
And if Rome got involved it would be because of alleged "civil unrest", rebellion or something of that ilk.
While incidents of that did occur with Roman officials getting invovled - they were sporadic. It was not until the persecutions of (around) 60 A.D. and on - that persecution became widespread.
Old Testament - Well... Jehu kills a lot of people in today's readings. I realize that the violence in the Old Testament can often bring up a lot of questions. Unfortunately, our human history is full of violence - from Cain and Abel until this very day. The Bible does record human history. There will come a day where there is a new heaven and a new earth, free from violence. That day has not come yet - but will with Jesus' Second Coming.
Most Biblical commentaries agree that Jehu was carrying out justice for the sins of the Kings of Israel and the worship of Baal. Jezebel's death was predicted by the prophet Elijah because of her sins. A brutal death that it was. I think one thing for us to keep in mind is that sin does bring death. As Paul teaches in Romans 6:23 - "The wages of sin is death." Jesus saves us from this deserved death when we come to him in faith and surrender our lives to him. But, let us not forget the severity and risk of sin and the risk of not being in relationship with Jesus. Without Jesus saving us, the wages of sin truly is eternal death.
2 Kings 10 verses 25-27 seem to demonstrate Jehu's initial apparent zeal for God - "Then Jehu's men went into the fortress of the temple of Baal. They dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship of Baal and destroyed it. They broke down the sacred pillar of Baal and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet. That is what it is used for to this day." But we soon learn in verse 31 - "But Jehu did not obey the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit." It is thus thought that Jehu's action of destroying the idols of Baal was more political than spiritual - as Baal worship was associated with the dynasty of Ahab, whereas the golden calves had a longer history in the northern kingdom of Israel and were valued by most people. And keeping the golden calves would keep people from Israel traveling to the southern kingdom of Judah to worship God in Jerusalem. Below is an image of a series of images from the life of Jehu:
Bible.org's commentary on today's Second Kings readings titled "Jehu Cleans House (Ahab's House)" is at this link and "Three 'Birds' With One Stone" is at this link.
New Testament - Great reading about Paul's travels and preaching in Acts 17 today!
I absolutely love the quote in verse 6 where the Jewish leaders of Thessalonica say: ""Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down, and now they are here disturbing our city," they shouted." Have you ever heard that the Kingdom of God is an "upside down" kingdom? That the values of the Kingdom of God are upside down compared to worldly values? Paul and Silas turned the world upside down. How are you turning the world upside down in your life today?
Today in Acts 17 verses 22 & 23 we read - “Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.” Paul then went on to introduce to the Greeks our personal Creator, in contrast with their views of pantheistic Stoicism. Are there people in your life today that are perhaps like the Greeks Paul was speaking to? People who are religious but do not yet know our personal Creator? Are there people in your life who are seeking the Unknown God? Will you begin conversations with these people that God has placed in your life and let them know about the living God that you know and love? Will you let them know, as Paul let the Greeks know in verse 28 – “For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'”? The altar in the image below is located on Palatine Hill, Rome, where once stood the palaces of the Caesars. It dates from about 100 B.C. and has the inscription, ´To the unknown God.' This could have been a similar altar to the one that Paul was referring to in today's readings in Athens:
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "The Evangelization of Thessalonica and Berea" is at this link and "The Apostle in Athens, Preaching to Philosophers" is at this link. Below is a painting from the year 1515 by the Italian artist Raphael titled "St. Paul preaching in Athens":
Psalms - Psalm 144 verses 3 & 4 are well known! "O LORD, what are mortals that you should notice us, mere humans that you should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow." If our days are like a passing shadow, how then should we be spending our days? What types of things should we be investing our time & money into? What should we be investing our very hearts and minds into? Are you wisely spending your passing days in godly ways?
Proverbs - Proverbs 17:27 is so true - "A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered." And with this I will quietly close out today's posting with few words. :)
Worship Video: Today's readings in Acts about Paul's preaching in Athens reminded me of Micah Tyler's song "Walking Free:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'" Acts 17:28 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that in Jesus you live and move and have your being. Pray that you are a child of God, through your 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:
II Kings 9:14-10:31
All this killing in the Old Testament is no different then what went on in the New and what goes on today. God plays out the Old Testament over a longer period then the New so we have a greater overview of history and can see how history, which is confined by boundaries placed on events and times and seasons put in place by God, plays out. In fact in our New Testament reading today Paul as much says that.
What Jehu did had already been ordained by God in I Kings the nineteenth chapter. When the prophet Elijah was having his “Pity Party” and was told to go to the mountain and after he experienced the wind, earthquake and the fire the Word of the Lord came to him and said,
15 … "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." (I Kings 19)
If we can get past the destruction and believe, by faith, that God has the big picture and knows what He is doing, there is a warning that can be seen in all of this. It is about having a right attitude when we have been given directions by God. When we hear the voice of God and are given directions, we cannot become arrogant thinking that God gave us an assignment because we are, “All that and a bag of chips!” Our job is to follow God’s directions and His only. It is very easy to fall into the trap of assuming that God gives us an assignment because we were all that. That is the trap. Israel fell into thinking that God chose her to be His because she was special. No, she was special only because God chose her.
After Jehu finished his assignment he though he was “the king.” In fact Jehu’s name means, "Jehovah is He” (Strong’s Number 03058) Jehu believed his own press. He thought the “He” in his name referred to himself.
Acts 17:1-34 Paul speaking to the inhabitants of Athens gives me understanding that God is in control, even when we don’t think he is, even when the world asks us, “Where was God?” (That was asked a lot on 9/11/01 especially in NYC. I’m a citizen of the city). Paul’s argument tells me He is where He has always been, “The same place He was when Jesus was being crucified, the same place when you were committing adultery and cheating on your taxes, on the Throne, and not the one in the bathroom.”
24"He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples, 25and human hands can't serve his needs--for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is. 26From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand which should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
Psalm 144:1-15
Everything that I have, God Is. Everything that I need, God is. Everything that I can every hope to be, God is. Glory to God.
2 He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my deliverer. He stands before me as a shield, and I take refuge in him. He subdues the nations under me.
Proverbs 17:27-28
28 Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
Today’s Proverb according to Ramona:
Keep your mouth shut!
Grace and peace, Ramona
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yesterday a young girl who went as a missionary to india gave a testimony in church about how she prayed and fasted that God would use her there....it was a tough mission and she knew it would be but she did it anyway to the glory of God. Jehu was on a mission to fulfill the prophecy of Elijah...of course at the end of it all,he would be king.He wiped out all the people God had told him to,eliminated to worship of Baal but continued to worship the cows.He seemed to want the good part of serving God...the convenient... So many times we get religious,worshipping our own desires and spiritualising them...I read about missions in congo and other war torn countries it just struck me that those are the people who truly have given up their lives to live for God...
We all want to be leaders,motivational speakers,Paul mentored Timothy on the job...Jesus didn't have it all rosy...he left great comfort and riches to save us...Paul didn't go about expecting to be served...he worked not to be a burden to others,he served unafraid of the stoning,beating or the ridicule...Do we truly want to follow Jesus...even if it means giving up the comfort,the safety...Dear Lord please help me say YES,truly mean it and step out when called. God bless you all Anka
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2Kings10:16
Jehu said, "Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD." Then he had him ride along in his chariot. NIV
I wonder about Jehu's Zeal. Is he bragging, is their pride involved? The zeal seemd to be there when he was securing his kingship and eliminating Baal worship. But as Anka said - it did not extend to getting rid of False worship of Yahweh.
So was it 80%, 90%, or 99% zeal for the Lord????? A conveniant zeal???? You don't need to be proclaiming to other people your "zeal" for the Lord - your actions should speak loud enough.
Pauls Sermon in Athens
When I testify or share the Gospel, I always pray that God utilizes me to reach those who have a need to hear or see His message. That the Holy Spirit guides my speech.
It is not about me, I am just a conduit for God to use to fulfill his purposes. If someone is not seeking God, then nothing I say will make a difference. That is a tremendous weight off one's shoulders. It is still our duty to perform the "great commission", but the burden of convincing someone is up to the Holy Spirit.
It is the same with Paul here in Athens. Some say the results in Athens were not spectacular, but who knows who heard it that may have later converted and how many people they affected?????? The important thing is - Paul spoke.
How many times are we quiet, especially in the face of intelligent and cynical non-believers??? If offered the opportunity like Paul - we are to speak and proclaim.
a. Some have criticized this sermon because there is no detailed reference to the cross or specific quotes from the Old Testament. Some think Paul compromised his message for an intellectual audience, and therefore there were few conversions.
i. The idea continues that when Paul went next to Corinth, he decided to preach the cross and the cross only, even if it seemed foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5). Because Paul preached this way in Corinth, he saw much better results.
ii. Ramsay popularized the theory that Paul was disappointed by his “meager” results in Athens, and went on to Corinth preaching the gospel with a pure focus on the cross, and without any attempt at philosophical explanation.
b. But Paul’s sermon here is eminently Biblical. “Like the biblical revelation itself, his argument begins with God the creator of all and ends with God the judge of all . . . The speech as it stands admirably summarizes an introductory lesson in Christianity for cultured pagans.” (Bruce)
c. As well, Paul did preach Christ crucified in Athens. In Acts 17:30-31 he specifically mentions the resurrection, and how could he preach the resurrection without preaching the cross which came before it? This is obviously a short extract of Paul’s speech on the Areopagus; what is recorded takes barely two minutes to say.
i. “We learn from Paul that we cannot preach the gospel of Jesus without the doctrine of God, or the cross without the creation, or salvation without judgment.” (Stott)
d. In addition, it is dangerous to judge the content of the message by the magnitude of the response.
i. “The reason the gospel did not take root there probably lay more in the attitude of the Athenians themselves than in Paul’s approach or in what he said.” (Longenecker)
John
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Proverb 17:27 resonates with St Francis of Assisi's famous saying: "Preach the gospel all the times, use words if necessary."
Actions always speak louder than words! Such a great reminder!
Kitty
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I like that too, "these men are turning the world upside down!" As my Pastor says, more like turning it right side up!
I like how it says about the Jews in Beroea: "[they were] searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." that is what believers should do, we should search and examine God's word daily so that we are grounded in truth! So many ppl fall away and are carried away from various bizarre winds of doctrine. If we hear something, a teaching say that doesnt sit with us, dont just gullibly swallow it up, but test the spirits! Look for a Biblical foundation! Is it consistant with God's Word? Did they practice it in the early church? I love Paul's boldness to the ppl of Athens. Its so bizarre that they had gods for everything and even had an "unknown god" in case they missed one. Paul saw this as an opportunity to share about the unknown god, the true God, unknown to them.
I love this psalm: " LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?". Good question! "Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow."
Proverbs sure is right on. I have dont think i have ever regretted keeping my mouth shut and holding my peace (which are fruits). I cant do that on my own, i need the Lord's help.
Jenny
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Yes I did spend time thinking about the violence....sliced their heads right off. Yes the wages of sin is death - eternal death..I don't like violence...but I found myself in tears the more I meditated on this reading in 2 Kings...I was pretty stirred up in fact to fight something - the works of the enemy. I thought about the sin and injustice coming from everywhere - kind of like the times we are living in today: terrorism, greed, lust. I am called to crucify my flesh and pray for others, but I was thought about how aggressively God went after sin/injustice; not passively. And not only that until it was eradicated - all of it - the dogs ate Jezebel and there were no remains of her left. Am I way off here - but as Christians we are calld to stand up for those things that promote sin and do something at least to fight to eradicate the effects. I also thought about God's deliverance and when he delivers - its a done deal, when He delivers me from sin - He said it's over.
Oh yes - speaking of even tempered - well back to the reading in kings....yes it was a good anger. And all I have to say about proverbs for today is I need to memorize it and post it on my door frames - lol....I used to be so quiet and timid....I agree I can't do it without the Lord's help. I dused too write things down on paper and burn whatever I wrote, not deliver it to anyone - if it is directed at someone, but being clothed in the Holy Spirit provides a quiet spirit......Good night.
Be very Blessed, ~Marlana~
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What stood out to me is the part about Paul and Silas turning the world upside down. It made me stop and think, "Am I doing that? What am I doing to make a radical impact on this world?"
Then, the verse from Psalms that says that our days are a "passing shadow" was hard-hitting for me. I want all of my days to have eternal impact for the kingdom of God, and realize that I could be doing so much more. It is a timely insight today.
I loved the children's drawings today. It is wonderful to know that one day, everything will be made right!
Lori
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"All this killing in the Old Testament is no different then what went on in the New and what goes on today." I'm not sure I agree. In the NT, the only people that I think God intended to kill outright for judgment were Herod, Ananias, and Sapphira, and none of them were slain by human hands
Bajo
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Mike I'm feeling guilty and wondering if there is something wrong with me. I love reading the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs but I can't seem to wrap my head around the history that has taken place in the Old Testament for the past week or so even though I've prayed that God will enlighten me. Please keep me in your prayers. Your hillbilly friend from Kentucky who has been with you since you started this wonderful ministry.
Pat
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Abe Lincoln must have read our Proverbs reading today:
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt."
Sam
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Ramona well said
My writing got erased. Computer messing up .
Points for both 2nd kings..Jezebel dies. Elisha foreshadow what happened to her and Jehu reign
Old Testament - Second Kings 8 begins with a wonderful example of God's "perfect timing." It was no coincidence that the king was talking with Gehazi about the time Elisha brought a boy back to life when the woman from Shunem walked in with her son! God knew that the Shumanite woman was faithful and obedient to Him, so He orchestrated the timing so that she would get her house and land back - after God perfectly timed her to be out of the country for 7 years to avoid the famine! Have you ever had the experience of God's "perfect timing" in your life? My hunch is that you have - even if you haven't realized it. I have had some experiences where I have consciously realized that God's perfect timing was at work - and sometimes I've quickly said the prayer under my breath of "thank you God!" But, I also now can look back on my life and now see so many instances of God's perfect timing. Hindsight is 20/20. When is the last time you experienced God's perfect timing? Think it could have been today - even if you don't realize it right now?
Elisha's interaction with Hazael demonstrates Elisha was certainly a prophet of God's! Elisha was not condoning what Hazael is going to violently do, but he was just stating the facts of what was going to happen. Verses 11 & 12 are sad to read - "Elisha stared at Hazaelwith a fixed gaze until Hazael became uneasy. Then the man of God started weeping. "What's the matter, my lord?" Hazael asked him. Elisha replied, "I know the terrible things you will do to the people of Israel. You will burn their fortified cities, kill their young men, dash their children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women!" Verse 13 is also sad because you will notice that Hazael doesn't get upset by the violent predictions in Elisha's proclamation, but only wonders how someone like him would pull of something like this... "Then Hazael replied, "How could a nobody like me ever accomplish such a great feat?"" Below is and image of Elisha and Hazael having this conversation:
I love Elisha's final instructions to the young prophet concerning his anointing of Jehu as King of Israel in 2 Kings 9 verse 3 - "Then open the door and run for your life!"" Not your typical instructions from a prophet, you wouldn't think - but if a prophet gives you instructions like these, you better follow them! :)
Bible.org's commentary on today's Second Kings readings titled "Looking Out for a Lovely Lady" is at this link, "What it Takes to Make a Prophet Weep" is at this link, and "Three Birds With One Stone" is at this link.
New Testament - Today in Acts 16 we will read about the earthquake that comes while Paul and Silas are imprisoned!
As a trembling jailer comes to Paul and Silas we will read this in verses 30 through 34 – “"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.” This is a wonderful look at how many of us become and grow as Christians! We first hear the Good News of how Jesus came to this earth fully human and fully God – how he lived a sinless life and died on the cross for our sins – and how he rose from the dead and will come again. Then, through God’s grace, we believe! We simply believe. From there we learn more about God from others and through studying his Word, the Bible – we can call this discipleship. Then comes a decision to be baptized – to publicly profess our faith in Jesus as our Savior. Then comes living a joyful life of community with others. Now – yes – this is a very abbreviated example of how one becomes and grows as a Christian. :) And our various denominations will probably put the order of how all this happens in various ways. But, can you see similarities in your own faith journey with the jailer’s conversion, baptism, and growth as a Christian? Do you remember first hearing the Good News of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection? Do you remember the day you first Believed? Do you remember learning more about the Word, the Bible? (hopefully you’ll remember this year’s One Year Bible journey! :) Do you remember being baptized (or maybe you’ll have photos or stories from your younger years)? Do you now joyfully live life in community with other Christians through your local church? If you haven’t yet experienced all of these things, will you pray to God asking him for the experiences He has planned for you? And, when others in your life come to you like the jailer, asking “What must I do to be saved?” are you prepared to give them the joyful answer?
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "Paul in Philippi: From the Purveyor of Purple to the Purveyor of Pain" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 143 verse 8 stood out to me today - "Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer." I read somewhere before - I think it was Bruce Wilkinson's book "Secrets of the Vine" - that many great men and women of our Christian faith connect with God in the morning through prayer, reading the Bible, and other quiet time activities. Bruce even suggested that this is the preferential way to go - to start your day by spending time with God in the morning, rather than at night. Because he said this would then transform the rest of your day - in terms of being more conscientious of our relationship with God. This does make sense to me - and in fact, I have started reading the One Year Bible now in the mornings, and it is a beautiful way to start the day! I like what this Psalmist says - "Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning." And it reminds me that somehow, someway, it almost seems easier to me to connect with God in the morning. Actually - one other thing I used to do in the morning is read a page or two from Oswald Chambers "My Utmost For His Highest." And I am thankful that I did this in the morning for a season. How about you? Do you have some way that you connect with God in the morning? Are you able in some way to hear of God's unfailing love for you in the morning?
Proverbs - Proverbs 17:26 today is an interesting teaching: "It is wrong to fine the godly for being good or to punish nobles for being honest!" Why do you suppose this teaching is in the Bible? I'm thinking it is because unfortunately all too often the godly are fined or blamed or punished or ridiculed or this list could go on and on... Good becomes bad. And bad becomes good. Sound like any cultural times that you might know of? :) Let us pray these days that the godly are not punished for being good or being honest. Let us pray the godly are not punished for simply telling the Truth! And let each of us also always remember that when we undergo any sufferings for Jesus, there is Ultimate comfort & encouragement that does come our way...
Worship Video: Today's readings reminds me of Mac Powell's song "New Creation:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: "The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household." Acts 16:29-31 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are telling other people in your life to "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." Pray that you life your life in such a Spirit-filled and loving way that people come to you periodically to ask, "What must I do to be saved?"
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:
Mike I sandwich my day with Bible Study and mediation. I read another One Year Bible program, read a chapter of Proverbs based using the date as my chapter reference, then I read your comments and go to the One-year-bible. On the way home from work I go back to the One-year-bible. I will specifically focus on the things that spoke to me in the morning; however, I read the entire passage. In the evening it helps that my subway commute is longer than an hour and it is a surefire way to de-stress.
II Kings 8-9:13
Perfect Timing love the shop’s name. I have both delivered a word, unknowingly and unscripted to folks around me and I’ve received a message that was not only right on time, but also took my breath away.
I once became very belligerent, I think, to a very attractive woman I had met for the very first time. She showed up with a group of friends who had made a date to visit a museum on Saturday. I was supposed to go; however, something came up and I couldn’t meet them. We were waiting to go into church the following Sunday They were waiting to go to the 11am service and I was hanging out with them but I had plans to attend the service at 1pm.
While they waited to be let it, I focused on this woman whom I had never seen before telling her how it wasn’t God’s desire or plan to for His children to be abused: physically, sexually, mentally, etc. I couldn’t get off of the subject! I saw everyone’s eyes grow large as saucers as I hammered my point across but internally I kept telling myself, “Ramona you need to stop! Are you crazy?” However, I was compelled to continue. I still can’t explain my drive to badger her I only know that I had to do it. They finally went into the 11am service while I continued to hangout and wait until 1pm. While I waited I became alarmed at what I had done and vowed to call the people in the group and apologize and ask them to convey my contrition to this beautiful young lady.
After I got home from the service, I called my friend and began offering my apologies and before I could finish my sentence, the voice on the other end began telling me there was no need to apologize. The group had never made it inside the museum because this beautiful young woman had stopped them across the street from the museum and asked them why they were so happy. After they told them why and where they were from, she began to tell them how miserable she was. She wasn’t an unbeliever, although in a way she was. She was married to an assistant pastor who had physically abused her and she was in despair. Across the street from the museum is a big park with a lot of trails, a zoo and brambles. She was planning to go into the park, find a deserted place and blow her brains out! I was dumbfounded. My friend told me that everyone’s eyes were wide opened because they knew that I didn’t know this young lady’s story, but I did know her story I just didn’t know I was speaking to her as we waited outside the church. I was there early because I had an appointment to keep.
Acts 16:16-40
Ain’t this something demons possessed folks calling out and identifying Gods’ preachers, teachers and evangelists making a past of themselves. I wonder if I was walking along the street and heard this young woman shouting and following known godly men, would I think she were on the up and up or would I recognize that she was demon possessed? I think when someone is heralding a man or woman of God is such a way that is distracting, disturbing and preventing the audience from hearing the gospel and/or interfering with the delivery of the message that person cannot be of God. God does everything decently and in order, He won’t compete with Himself.
Psalm 143:1-12
6 I reach out for you. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.
Have I feel the desire and need to hunger and thirst after God? Do I lap up His teachings, His Words, His Presence as a severely thirsty woman of God? If not I will not find what I am looking for according to the Words of Jesus,
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Proverbs 17:26 26 It is wrong to fine the godly for being good or to punish nobles for being honest!
The only way this can happen in a society or group, is when loyalty to people, places and things are more important than loyalty to the Truth. Paul rebuked the church in Galatia for turning away from the Truth and at one point said,
Have I then become your enemy by telling the truth to you and dealing sincerely with you? (Galatians 4:16 AMP)
Grace and peace, Ramona
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I do all my bible reading, meditation, prayer journaling, etc. in the mornings. Have done so for a couple of years now.
Michael
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I, for one, do my readings in the mornings when I find my brain fresh and most receptive to God's word. Indeed it's a great way to start my day being in a hope-filled mood. Filled with God's Love and the Spirit, I feel ready to face my day head on regardless...and to continue my walk in FAITH!
Roslyn
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Doing these readings in the morning is what has enabled me to be consistent. For me I need to do that which is most important first, otherwise it will be pushed out by the more urgent and less important things of the day. Plus, once it became a habit for me, it it became almost impossible to miss. It's a bible fix!
Micah Girl
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"When is the last time you experienced God's perfect timing?"
All the time. I think it is easier to acknowledge the situations God "puts one in", but there is also the situations God keeps "one away from".
Pre-salvation I always though "providence" or "luck" was my "middle name". Since I now firmly believe all things come from God, I am more aware of the source of my life path. I don't try to figure it out anymore, but just "thank God" for watching over me and leading me while I am here on earth.
John
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2 Kings 8:1-9:13
One of the things that I’ve in reading about Israel’s kings, although apostate, they have a love-hate relationship with God’s people and his prophets. Come to think of it, Herald seemed to have this same relationship with John the Baptist. According to Paul’s letter to the Romans, we know truth; however, we reject truth because we exchange the truth we know for a lie (1:25) by choice. I went to school with a young lady who said she didn’t believe in God yet when she was stressed out she read the Bible. When I asked her about that conflict she declared, “No, I don’t believe in God but when I read the Bible it calms me down. I don’t know why.”
She recognized there was something in the Words on the page but she didn’t want to recognize the One who sent those Words. This is not the first time where we read how an ungodly king keeps company with a godly man or loves to hear stories about the works of God yet doesn’t turn to God. Hmmmm!
Grace and peace, Ramona
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Hmmm...most times I get to read the bible and pray early in the mornings during weekday cos by the time I get back from work,all I can do is go to bed....I can't say I don't connect with God weekends cos saturday mornings I either go for bible school or a messianic service...then sunday,church...I think we should always be connected to God in some way...watch out for his perfect timings which sometime can be subtle...talking to him in my mind keeps my mind from breeding ugly frogs:) God bless you all Anka
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I focus on the word to the young prophet to run after anointing the new King. Sometimes we think that because God has appointed us to work for Him, all will be well. His life would be endangered by his work and he was expected to take care of himself.
I have seen in my own life that when I do as the Lord asked that a myriad of temptation and pain surrounds the 'work'.
Even Paul had many trials surrounding him when doing as God expressly asked him to do.
About reading the scriptures, I do this at night and meditate on it while all the lights are off and everyone else is asleep. It is true that God gives asong in the night. this 'night' may be the natural night, chronologically, or the 'night' analogously. Feeding on the word is paramount in my life, through it I experience His glorious presence.
Judith
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"Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer." Psalm 143:8
I love this verse! When you are awake early morning before God your creator... praying... you have a clear direct connection to the thrown of God. No interruptions from the world to bother you. No phone ring to disturb your concentration directed towards Him. It is a peaceful time were you give yourself to Him and many times feel as if He had whispered in your ears. I love those moments with Him. They are truly priceless!
There are many mentions of the morning prayer in scripture. Some examples are:
Psalm 5:3 "In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch."
Psalm 88:13 "But I, O LORD, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You."
Psalm 119:147 "I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words"
Psalm 90:14 "satisfy us in the morning with Your loving kindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."
I personally have a tendency of being a BIG sleepyhead. :] But the times that I awake early to meet my savior...the reward outweighs the sacrifice. I am trying to achieve this more often for my spiritual benefit. The day seems to flow smoother when we give Him our first precious moments. Don't you agree? Thank you again for this devotional. I love them all and have been immensely blessed by them. May you be blessed beyond measure. IN HIM carmen<
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I was very confused on Elisha's prophesy regarding Ben-Hadad (tell him he'll recover, but really he will die). I thought maybe Elisha was giving him a false hope. At first I thought Ben-H. put the cloth over his own face and then died. But I looked into commentary and saw Hazael killed ben-hadad by suffocation. This story in Acts is a great example of God's perfect plan. Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned they probably didnt understand at the time why, but they praised God anyway. the guard got saved, then i bet a light went off for them, ooooh, this is why we were imprisoned. God wanted to use their witness to testify to the jailer so that he and his family would be saved! God can sometimes put us in very troubling circumstances and like the discussion on hindsight is 20/20, we may not know why on earth we are suffering. But for us in Christ, it is always for His glory. God's ways are beyond us and we must keep faith that everything we endure is used for God's glory.
I am not at all a morning person, i cant think straight too early, but wen i do awake early and God just speaks to me, my day is very different. i do have many great books like My Utmost For His Highest, which i think I will keep by my bed so when i wake up i can do some reading in it. Thanks Bible dude for the challenge. I want to try this. Asking God to direct us each day is very wise! i always pray God will use me each day where He sees best. I may plan things, but often God will lead my day in another direction and i see He saw it best i go here and there instead of my initial plans. I just need to remain open and flexible to His call as each day holds something new! I love Psalms: 3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead. 4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed.
I remember reading this years ago as i was going through very tough times. i had lost a number of ppl in my life and was in total devastation. So many loved ones died and i couldnt let go..I in fact was living with the dead! But God has freed me to not dwell with the dead. I love, miss and appreciate those who are deceased now, but I'm NOT dead yet. I need to LIVE among the living. It was verrrrrrrrrry hard for me to let go of some of them and not wallow in the grave with them. I'm sure those who lost loved ones understand that. the enemy really put terrible thoughts/temptations in my mind as grief can make you so vulnerable and have irrational thoughts. Thank God He understands our fragility and has much mercy!
Oh and yes, God is really showing me lessons regarding His perfect timing...which is WAY different then my timing, but He is always right!!!! ;) I have even been criticized by believers (not so wise ones) when I tell them I am waiting on God for this and that. They say, 'no, you gotta go out and get it'. Well, that's for the LORD to tell me, not them, especially when I know they are speaking in the flesh. God is good and His timing is perfect, though I'm not always liking it too much! ;p (i want it now! haha.) I mean, I am willing to wait a bit then i get impatient. sometimes it takes years, decades even... But its always more perfect and abundant then i expected when its His time, His way.
Jenny
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Suffering is the way to happiness - how backwards is that..Jesus suffered, my Love for God is worth any amount of suffering; but this kind of suffering brings peace and everlasting joy. In the midst of any suffering for Christ is always a peace beyond measure and a hope that one can't have any other way. To love unconditionally is not the way of the world. It promotes a message of what's in it for me or self- first. I have been meditaing on the leadership decribed in these passages, leadership that is void of Godly wisdom or influence. I am still catching up with the readings since I just joined, but a few days a go we read about a woman that was betrayed by another woman that ate her son while the other one hid hers and both feasted on the first woman's son. I thought ---what??? that bothered me. But there is so much hunger, leprosy(sin) was everywhere - hunger for true peace and fufillment that we will look to anything to fill our void. I see this more and more. The injustice - and how inhumane is giving up your own child to feed your own hunger. I thought about our own leprosy - societies that sell thier children for profit, abortion, attempts to ban the mention of God, and anything that promote me first,; being hungry for the Truth leaves us without a future - little ones always represent hope for the future to me. True Godly leadership is about suffering and standing up for what is good. Leardership void of God leads to destruction and we are all leaders on some level - family, work....The woman - had faith - believed in God and was saved from famine - she had a hope for the future her son remained alive and she never suffred - she was fed the whole time, Paul and Silas maintained thier faith in the midst of adversity and that's true freedom. No matter what the circumstances - Jesus has set us free and he always makes a way for up and for that we can rejoice always. So the suffering for doing good - for living out God's command to love Him and others bring light to a very dark world. The world is hungry for it - it's plagued wit leprosy/an epidemic. I am encouraged to share Jesus, by word and example even more.
As for putting on the armour before facing the day - it's vital and I know that there is a huge difference between being clothed spiritually vs running out of the house 'naked' - vulnerable to any kind of exposure - there is no arguing or denying that fact. I get to work so early in the morning - so I think that I will do a portion of the reading in the morning and half at night for a while until I get a routine going with this site. I noticed that the readings are coming at a different time now not sure if that's the way it's always have been or because I just started receiving them. :-)) - but it seems to work better --I'll get the hang of it I' sure
Anyway - I am so blessed - I thank you so much for putting all of this together- the commentaries and every bible version imaginable and the outline in one place....you are truly a blessing...God bless you and LOVE to you, Marlana
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Summertime is an awesome time to sit on the deck with my one year bible and journal. I love to read in the a.m in the freshness of morning with my cup of tea, and journal my prayers as I read the day's readings.
Luch
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"A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook." This is what I want to do today. Give words that are refreshing and life giving. Thanks for this beautiful service you are giving in this website
Marcell
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I truly believe that God's perfect timing is always at work. Many times, we take for granted what happens in our lives without realizing that it was in God's timing that things happen or does not happen in our lives. The very obvious perfect timing in my life is the discovery of my lung cancer on a routine physical check-up. For 3 weeks before the check-up I was having pain piercing from my back which I mentioned to my doctor who in turn ordered a chest x-ray. I never smoke nor drink so this is one illness was a surprise for me. God's timing was perfect since the cancer is in it's early stage. I am under remission for 2 years now. Thanks be to God.
This also taught me not to ignore what our body says and especially ignore God's nudging in our lives.
Morning is also my best time to spend with God, reading the Upper Room, Oe Year Bible Blog & praying. I just pray that I be mor attentive to God's voice through the day.
Thank you Mike for this blog.
God bless.
Lily
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the mornings are always so full of beauty..I am amazed at the work of God and how he allows me to wake each morning and go from room to room to check on my family who I have found are safe and happy...and yes God has always shown me that he is always on time..maybe we are to impatient at times for resolution to our problems...but we must remember all good things do take time.....I pray that I will be able to use wisdom and the Holy Spirit will fill m heart and soul on a dailey basis..God Bless my computer family
janice
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Mike, I totally agree with you about the benefit of studying the Bible in the morning. It is the best !!
Billy
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Mike,
Great job! I agree with starting the morning, first thing, with a quiet time and Gods word. I have been doing that for 8 years now!
Michael
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Thank you Mike for this blog. I get up early in the morning and go to the One Year Bible weekly reading, then to Bible panorama commentary, then your blog and comments. I pray sometimes throughout the readings as things or people or conviction occurs. I make coffee sometimes before reading, sometimes after. Then my wife gets up and we share coffee and 2 devotionals before breakfast. She will read first Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling" Enjoying peace in His presence, then read scriptures associated with the reading of the day. Then I will read the daily reading from "Look unto Me" the devotions of Charles Spurgeon and Jim Reimann. Then we will have prayer and I will make breakfast. Really starts our day off good. I'm truly blessed. Alan PS we've been moving about the country since January. We left Florida in January after selling our home there. We're now living in a motorhome. I was so blessed to experience a Sunrise Service on the rim of the Grand Canyon Easter Sunday and so many great experiences in this amazing country. Now we're in Maine. Only a gracious God could have allowed us to accomplish so much in this year. He continues to bless us in so many ways. I'm so humbled.
Alan
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Reading One Year Bible every morning changed my days and consequently my life. I can't stress enough the importance of starting one's day with The Lord. Having coffee with Him every morning is something I look forward to day after day.
Rita
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I start off my day by listening to the one year Bible online audio which I enjoy so much. I especially like the narrators voice and the overview of the verses that he will be reading. Then of course I read the blog, and all of this gives me so much inspiration, and helps me to renew my faith and love for the Lord everyday. Thank you so much for that this gift you have given us Mike. Judie Apt
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I loved this reading today. Thank you...Perfect Timing, that was a real sign and confirmation for me. To wait on the Lord. I need to keep my eyes, ears and heart on him. And, not on what or how he is going to do His will in my life. :)
Imja
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Wow Ramona! Just wow.. I am responding late today, had an assignment that has had my attention last few days.. I love the timing of God's people and how God works all things out according to his purpose and plan.
Acts..the rebuking of the woman. U just have to have discernment pertaining to things of God.so very important.
Lord my soul thirsts for you. Love those verses in Psalms..like a deer pants for water..
Proverbs..wow. it hit home today. Yes I have been in that situation where..felt accused or negligent without cause..and things at work seemed like good was bad and bad was good. Not a good feeling. Definitely need to keep ones covered in prayer. Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.
Old Testament - 2 Kings 6 today opens up with a very interesting little story about the floating ax head! :) Apparently in those days the iron in an ax head was very costly - far too costly for prophets to have been able to afford. Hence, they had to borrow it. If the prophet who lost the ax head had not been able to recover it, he would have then had to have become an indentured servant for a period of time to the person he borrowed it from to pay back the cost. So, Elisha's recovery of the ax head I think demonstrates a simple moral of this opening story in today's readings: God cares for the welfare of those who love God. Whaddya think on this moral of the floating ax head story? Have you had experiences in your life where God has done some small things - or maybe even big things - that don't seem super spiritual at first glance, but simply saved you a lot of heartache/costs/time? I know I have... Praise God that He floats ax heads and even "floats" you and me too! God is indeed our great Life Preserver...
Today in 2 Kings 6 verse 27 we will read this verse that King Joram says to an Israelite during a time of a severe famine – “"If the LORD does not help you, where can I get help for you?” I think the thing to note in this verse is that the King realized he could not end the famine on his own, but that only God could end the famine. (I think the King may have actually been trying to blame God for the famine - and certainly Elisha he blames later in the chapter). I wonder about this in our lives today – do we try to help others and even try to help ourselves using our own power and without relying on God at all? And maybe sometimes even blame God for problems we see, like this King? Do we think we can end a “famine” or whatever problems we see at work, in our community, in our family, or in our world all on our own? Or should we be asking for God’s help in these areas of our lives? I’ve been thinking about this more and more lately – about how little I truly pray for others. I see areas of my life, my family, my community, my work, my church, my favorite charities, our world, that need some help. Need some changing. Need some love. And sometimes I think that I can institute these changes all on my own! Which is foolish. Instead, I should be praying for God’s providence and work in these areas of my life where I see a “famine.” Yes, I do think that God will oftentimes answer our prayers by encouraging us to “do something” to work on a change. But, we’d be wise to prayerfully approach all areas of our life and to pay attention to where God is asking us to “do something” – and to pay attention to where God is flat-out doing the work! Are there any “famine” areas in your life? In your personal relationship with God or others? In your work, church, community? Are there “famine” areas you see in our world? Will you today begin praying to God about these “famines” in the knowledge that famines can truly only end if God is involved in the work? Will you allow God to get involved in the famine areas of your life? Will you pray more consistently than ever before for the famine areas you see in your life?
In 2 Kings 7 today we read about God scaring off the Aramean army! Below is an image from a 15th century Dutch Bible for 2 Kings 7 verse 8 - "When the lepers arrived at the edge of the camp, they went into one tent after another, eating, drinking wine, and carrying out silver and gold and clothing and hiding it."
And below is an image from the same 15 century Dutch Bible for verse 17: "The king appointed his officer to control the traffic at the gate, but he was knocked down and trampled to death as the people rushed out. So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted when the king came to his house."
Bible.org's commentary on today's Second Kings readings titled "Saved from the Syrians: The War that Never Happened" is at this link and "Feast or Famine" is at this link.
New Testament - In Acts 15 today we read about Paul not wanting to bring along John Mark on the next missionary journey. Good news is that Paul and Mark were eventually reunited in missionary efforts. Some speculate that it was because Barnabas went with Mark at this juncture, Barnabas' patient encouragement helped Mark's eventual effective ministry. In fact, John Mark is the very same Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark! How's that for encouragement changing the world?? Is there anyone in your life today who you think could be a great worker for God's kingdom with some encouragement? Will you be like Barnabas was for John Mark and work with and encourage that person? Below is an image of Barnabas the encourager:
Today in Acts 16 we read about Paul's 2nd missionary journey, which took place around AD 49-52. - (map courtesy of ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm)
Great readings about the conversion of Lydia of Philippi today! She was a business woman and a Gentile (like Cornelius) who loved God. And the Lord opened her heart and she believed! Praise God for his continual ministry of opening people's hearts to the Gospel. Has your heart been opened like Lydia's was opened?
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "When Division Becomes Multiplication" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 142 is a prayer of David's when he was fleeing Saul and was hiding in a cave. David is praying for deliverance to God from his enemies. I thought verse 3 was powerful - "For I am overwhelmed, and you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me." Have you ever felt this way? Overwhelmed? And traps every which way you look? And you have no idea which way to go? At a time like this, will you cry out to God as David did in this Psalm? Will you "pour out your complaints before him and tell him all your troubles"? (v. 2) Do you believe that God knows which way you should turn? Will you allow God to ""be your place of refuge"? In times like these, will you allow God to be "all you really want in life"? (v. 5) Some say that David wrote Psalm 142 while in a cave in Adullam.
Proverbs - Today in Proverbs chapter 17 verse 24 we will read – “A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” This is a powerful little Proverb. I have been thinking about this quite a bit in recent weeks. I have found that sometimes the world can be so tempting – or maybe distracting is another way to say it. I have found that I have lately had a lot of opportunities to go out and do “fun stuff.” Perhaps you could say I’ve been offered opportunities to “wander to the ends of the earth.” And it’s been tempting. But, I have realized that if I schedule myself 24 x 7, I don’t spend much time thinking about God at all. Reading the Bible? Maybe I can skip it for today. . . And praying for others?? Forget about it. I’m just afraid that we can spend our lives being so distracted that we will lose sight of wisdom. We absolutely need to keep wisdom in view each and every day. That is why I love the One Year Bible format in so many ways – it provides each of us with at least 15 minutes of wisdom in our lives each day! How about you? How are your days being spent currently? Are you feeling distracted? Are you keeping wisdom in view each and every day? Do you see the wisdom in spending quality time with God each and every day? Do you see the wisdom in not taking any “spiritual vacations”? (Spiritual vacations are a very bad idea. . . even when you go on a regular vacation, please bring God with you!) Like this Proverb teaches us today, let us keep wisdom in view and not let our eyes foolishly wander to the ends of the earth!
Worship Video: Today's Psalm reminds me of the Nicole C. Mullen song "Call on Jesus:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth." Proverbs 17:24 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are discerning and learning wisdom daily from the Word of God. Pray that your eyes and your heart is not foolishly wandering to the ends of the earth.
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:
II Kings 6-7:20
Ah, the story of the Arameans being trapped by “blindness” is awesome and shows how lacking in common sense men of military training and political leaders can be. If the king’s officers really believed that Elisha knew everything the king did, why would you set out to capture him, would not one think he would know what you are doing? Whether their assumption was true or not common sense, if one had any, would dictate the prophet would know you were coming to get him.
I am amazed how blinded to Truth we humans can be. There were plenty of times in my life that God showed himself to me either with incidents like the Arameans experienced or receiving clear words of direction and warnings from what I now know was God, yet a chose not to believe. According to Proverb’s definition, I was just a plan ordinary garden variety “fool.” Praise God for His Redemptive work on Calvary. Amazing Grace how sweet …
Interesting this official of the king who was trampled to death. He in essence said, “Seeing is believing!” when told about the sudden drop in the price of commodities, that seeing he just had to do to believe, killed him. Somewhere in that is a warning for us. I heard a preacher/teacher once say, “No, seeing is not believing, seeing is knowing. We see because we believe so believing is seeing.”
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3 NIV) Acts 15:36-16:15
This disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, IMHO, appears to have been orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. With the break-up of the team, one evangelistic ministry became two! I believe, no, I know that each and every person upon this earth has a purpose that has been designated before the foundation of the earth. When we allow the Holy Spirit to direct us we may wind up like Paul and Barnabas, at odds with each other each thinking the other is wrong and out of line. Because each person is hearing differently, and of course each believes that what they heard in their hearing must also be what the other heard so the other is being disobedient, we clash or worse, someone submits wrongly to the vision of the other and follows along. Then major frustration and resentment develops in the others life.
Today’s reading also goes on to show how when we have an agenda set to do something in ministry, the Holy Spirit is not shy about inserting True plans. It is our job to listen intently to what the Spirit is saying and change course. We mess up when we ignore the Spirit and do our own thing and fail. Then we wonder where God is. “Hey God don’t you know I’m trying to do your work!” In reality, we need to be doing God’s work His way if it is any other way we are doing “Our work our way.”
Psalm 142:1-7
This Psalm is one I believe I need to incorporate into my prayer life, often. I just realized how universal, crossing time and space, these Psalms really are. The condition of man’s heat really has not changed since the Fall of man in the Garden. The tools we have to sin with may have become new and improved, but the sinning, the despair, the desperation and emptiness remains the same, without God.
Proverbs 17:24-25
In reading this verse, 24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth,” it just crossed my mind that if our eyes wonder, we will wonder and thus we are unstable. Loyalty, a characteristic we humans desire in our relationships are usually not based on “Truth” which is the only stable thing upon this earth, but based on personalities, family relationships and such like. But unless the person we have given our loyalties too is grounded on the Word of God, our unconditional loyalty to folks will also carry us to the “ends of the earth.” Yikes! This is something I must really think about for a while. Loyalty and unconditional love I don’t believe should be the same thing, have I confused the two.
Grace and peace, Ramona
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Father I thank you for placing within the heart of Mike a desire to lead and encourage others to read Your Word daily, which brings an immeasurable richness to each and every life that comes to this site. I thank you God for his daily comments and insights that cause us to think, contemplate and dig deeper into Your Word.
Protect him and guide him with Your Wisdom and Truth may no harm befall him, may want not crouch at his door. Impart to him daily Your strength to live each day following after You.
Watch over each and every person who enters this portal and make everyone studying Your Word a light to a dead and dying nation. In this I pray in Jesus’ mighty and glorious name, Amen
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2 Kings 6:1-7:20
Random thoughts on Today’s Old Testament Readings:
Sometimes I forget, we forget that the mercy of God is not limited to the righteous. Jesus speaking, “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45 KJV)”
Every single one of Israel’s kings were wicked, yet God provided a prophet to speak to them, He never gave up on them even though He knew in his foreknowledge those that would seek and turn to Him and those that would reject Him. . Yet although the kings were wicked not everyone in an ungodly nation, community, family and or business is wicked. Who knows why the righteous find themselves in an ungodly environment; maybe like Joseph in Potiphar’s house and in the prison, God allows blessings to flow through the righteous person.
Clearly Elisha served as a buffer, a mediator for God within Israel. “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: (Acts 17:26-27 KJV)”
I must remember that even when people are absolutely wicked and like King Ahab, completely sold out to evil, God’s mercy is still applied to their lives even in the midst of His judgment. Random acts of Kindness began with God not us.
Grace and peace, Ramona
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On axeheads...sometimes it amazes me how God takes an interest in seemingly unimportant issues...I missed an appointment(that was important to me but had nothing to do with "spiritual" issues) to go to a messianic service and God made sure another door opened up...Thank God for weekends:).During the week I usually don't have time to got through the commentaries but today I did.I raised some questions on Naaman which John (thanks a lot)answered and reading through Bob's comments on Naaman was like a confirmation...Like Ramona pointed out,God's mercy is truly awesome....Jesus' teachings on blessing your enemies shows up here when the Syrian soldiers were fed in Samaria.... On spiritual vacations....I will be changing continents on friday....so will miss out on my regular prayer meetings and fellowships.I sure do hope the internet service has improved where I'm going but I know like Lydia....where there's a heart that's longing for God,there's always a God that fulfills that longing... God bless you all Anka
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I love the floating axe story and the care God shows for seemingly trivial matters. I didn't realize that iron was such a big deal back then so that makes a lot more sense. I also love the deception that caused the entire Aram army to run away, leaving the Isrealites freed from their enemies. It is a great story that illustrates how circumstances don't hinder the God of the universe.
Amy
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I just realized when the people were eating their children, the king still had horses to send out with chariots... wow. God is truly patient with us.
Megan
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2Kings 6:1-7 An ax head is made of heavy metal that should naturally sink in water wheras a stick is light enough to float. However in this reading we see the miraculous power of God reversing the order. As the man of God threw the stick in the river, it sank while the heavy metal floated. Our God is capable of doing what is imposible with man. He can suspend the natural laws to bring for the sake of bringing glory to his name. If the ax head was not recovered,it would have brought shame to the prophet and to the Lord.
Another lesson is that when the ax head floated the man of God told them to reach out and grab it. Many a times God would do His own part when we pray concerning an issue and then He expect us to play our own part. If no one has streched their hand to grab the ax head it would have continued to float on the river. We must therefore play our own part. Faith without work is dead. Our works must accompany our faith.
Florence
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This comment is on the floating ax head: 2 Kings 6:1-7
About 4 years ago I worked for a Pre-fab, pre stressed, concrete manufacturing plant. I had three different jobs throughout the time I worked there. One job imparticular was a concrete truck driver, but not the normal truck you might imagine. The truck I drove was called a tucker built, and was originally used for hauling large amts of feed around a farm and would shoot the feed out by way of an auger which was located inside a long shoot that was attached to the front of the truck . Anyway the truck was used to drop large loads of concrete off at different zones at the plant. Everyday after the dumps were over I had to smack the dried concrete off the truck with a hammer so it wouldn't completely dry.
Well, I dropped the hammer into the wash bay which was filled with water, concrete, and other waste from the plant. I should have been able to reach the hammer because I saw where it dropped and the water was shallow where we washed the trucks, in fact it was a 10 ft x 30ft bay and was like a kiddie pool at the start and got deeper as you went further into the bay. So, I began to search for the hammer and could't find it, on top if this it was borrowed and I didn't have the $22 bucks to pay for it. I had just read the ax story I think or I at least remembered it at that moment. With that, I prayed to God and asked him to help me find the hammer like he helped Elisha in this story, but he didn't at that moment. So I went home, and the next morning prayed again to find the hammer. Well when I got to work the next morning they were cleaning out the bay with a front in loader, and as I walked by to clock in the loader was backing out of the wash bay and the hammer was hanging out over the side almost smiling at me. Only God could have made this timing perfect, because if he didn't there there would have been no possible way that timing could have worked as it did, and there would have been no way that hammer would have been found in all that waste. No floating ax head, but I'll take it just the same ;-).
Michael
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See through the eyes of the prophet!
Elisha's servant saw them surrounded by horses and chariots of steel. "What shall we do?" he cried out. But Elisha the prophet said, "Do not be afraid, for those that are with us are more than those that are with them." And Elisha prayed, and God opened the eyes of the young man, and he could see that they would be protected by horses and chariots of fire.
How many times have we cried out in a crisis, "What shall we do?" Perhaps we are concentrating on earthly foes; the chariots built of steel. But surrounding those who know our God are chariots of fire, a superior force to protect us and bring us to safety, if that be Gods will.
Let us remember not to be afraid, for those that are with us are more than those that are with them, the enemy.
What a beautiful lesson contained in today's readings, Chapter 4:15-23.
Art
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I was reading your comments for 2 Kings 6. I want to say that Today i lost my credit card with my rent money on it. God stepped in and told me to cancel the card immediately. I was on the phone with the bank cancelling it and the person who found my card was making purchases . The bank personnel said I see activity on your card do not worry not one cent is being disturbed. You have all your money. I am widowed and on a limited income God stepped in. The bank personnel began praising God on the phone she said if you did not call when you did all your money would have been gone. Yes God does floats ax heads and even "floats" you and me too! God is indeed our great Life Preserver...
Antonietta
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If I can be honest here, I wish I had the power Elisha had tell God to strike the people with blindness. Anyway I must be a fool because I look to the ends of the earth. It doesn't take much for me to get my eyes off Hod. I really have to work at constant praying. Because I have a problem with worrying! God wants to love life and live in the moment. I try to remember that he has my life in his hands! Why shoukd i worry ? But the humanness in us we fear the future. Who wil take care of us when we get old? I see my parents aging and needling so much care. Not everyone has family. So God forgive me! Forgive us. I love the song "overwhelmed" by Big Daddy weave" good one to listen too. My insecurities are actually what keep me coming back to God! Why else do I have my coffee table set up with Bibles, devotionals, IPad for Mikes Blogs, Jesus calling, books etc. Because I'm living in Gods world and His word is my strength! Blessings to all today! Live in the moment. Count all your blessings for each day God gave you.
Jane
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Mike and everyone, Definitely have struggled with fears, Today's Scripture gives such comfort and reassurance: 2 Kings 6:16,17 NLT 16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
Want to share this story quoted in the article in Bible.org, 16.Surrounded by the Enemy (2 Kings 6:8-23) by J. Hampton Keathley III:
'We understand the following story was reported by a medical missionary at his home church in Michigan. We aren’t sure from whom this story originated so we are unable to give credit, but it beautifully illustrates our point:
While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, I traveled every two weeks by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This required camping overnight half way. On one of these trips, I saw two men fighting in the city. One was seriously injured, so I treated him and witnessed to him of the Lord Jesus Christ. I then returned home without incident.
Upon arriving in the city several weeks later, I was approached by the man I had treated earlier. He told me he had known that I carried money and medicine. He said, “Some friends and I followed you into the jungle knowing you would camp overnight. We waited for you to go to sleep and planned to kill you and take your money and drugs. Just as we were about to move into your campsite, we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards.”
I laughed at this and said I was certainly all alone out in that jungle campsite. The young man pressed the point, “No, sir, I was not the only one to see the guards. My Jave friends also saw them and we all counted them. It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone.”
At this point in the church presentation in Michigan, one of the men in the church jumped up and interrupted the missionary, and asked, “Can you tell me the exact date when this happened?” The missionary thought for a while and recalled the date. The man in the congregation told this side of the story:
“On that night in Africa it was morning here. I was preparing to play golf. As I put my bag in the car, I felt the Lord leading me to pray for you. In fact, the urging was so strong that I called the men of this church together to pray for you. Will all of those men who met with me that day please stand?”
The men who had met that day to pray together stood--there were 26 of them!'
pray that this story will give you faith, courage, and strength as well!
Blessings! Joyce
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How wrong and misguided the guards were when facing the power of God and his instrument Elisha. To be blinded and placed in your enemies path.wow and to remain unharmed..super Wow!
I like the analogy of Ramona in the story of Paul, Mark, Barnabas. All have different gifting and sometimes a bad thing has to happen so that something good could come about. Two ministries going on and different paths to reach the greatest amount of people. John Mark was so influenced he wrote a whole section of the Bible. Wow!
Psalm 143 when David was hiding during Sauls reign. Some of the greatest depth profounding Psalms of all time if the vulnerability of King David.
Be loyal, be truthful to people and honorable. Have a cause and stick to it. Amen
Old Testament - Interesting readings in 2 Kings 4 about the Shumanite woman, her son and the prophet Elisha today! You'll note that in verse 20 her son dies, and in verse 21 she places her son on Elisha's bed - in part so that no one will know that her son died. As she gets to verse 22-24 she is saddling up on a donkey to go straight to Elisha without anyone in her family knowing her son had died! Below is a painting by Rembrandt from 1640 titled "The Departure of the Shumanite Woman":
As the Shumanite woman nears Mount Carmel Gehazi, Elisha's servant, comes out to greet her and still she won't even tell him that her son has died! She says everything is fine. She wants to deliver the news first and directly to Elisha! I like this woman's focused faith. She knew that Elisha delivered the Word that she would have a son in previous day's readings, and now that her son had died, I think she had faith that Elisha, being a prophet in relationship with God, would be able to revive her son. Do you have a focused faith like this when it comes to your relationship with God and Jesus? Do you always take your problems directly to the One who can truly revive you? Below is an image of Elisha and the Shumanite woman by artist C.F. Vos:
Did anyone else notice that at the end of chapter 4 today Elisha busted out with a miracle that seemed to foreshadow Jesus' loaves and fishes miracles?? Very cool to consider the parallels between Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 and Elisha feeding 100 here in chapter 4 verses 42-44: "One day a man from Baal-shalishah brought the man of God a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread made from the first grain of his harvest. Elisha said, "Give it to the group of prophetsso they can eat." "What?" his servant exclaimed. "Feed one hundred people with only this?" But Elisha repeated, "Give it to the group of prophets so they can eat, for the LORD says there will be plenty for all. There will even be some left over!" And sure enough, there was plenty for all and some left over, just as the LORD had promised." (That's Jesus below, not Elisha :)
In chapter 5 we get to the story of the healing of Naaman. I found it very interesting that Naaman needed to humble himself and wash up in the waters of the lowly river Jordan! Know anyone else that did some "washing up" in the river Jordan?? :) Maybe all of us somehow need to humble ourselves and symbolically be washed up in the river Jordan to receive true healing? Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of the prophet Elisha with Naaman washing in the river Jordan:
Bible.org's commentary on today's Second Kings readings titled "The Shunammite's Son Resurrected" is at this link, "Death in the Pot" is at this link, "The Miracle of the Bread" is at this link, "The Healing of Namaan" is at this link, and "The Sin of Covetousness" is at this link.
New Testament - Peter's teaching at The Council at Jerusalem in Acts 15 verse 11 is one of the most important verses that all of us should really meditate upon and know and believe: "We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the special favor of the Lord Jesus." Do you believe Peter here? Do you believe this to be true? Does this simple message of this little button below ring true to you?
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "The Jerusalem Council: The Gospel Defined and Defended" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 141 is a beautiful prayer of David's - praying for deliverance from the wicked and their ways. Verse 4 is powerful - "Don't let me lust for evil things; don't let me participate in acts of wickedness. Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do evil." Is this a prayer you could incorporate into your prayer life? What might be some examples of "delicacies of those who do evil"? Will you pray to God to avoid these "delicacies" and "treasures" that will ultimately fail you?
Proverbs - Proverbs 17:23 today teaches us: "The wicked accept secret bribes to pervert justice." This should be a reminder to each of us to never accept bribes! Bribes always pervert justice...
Worship Video: Today's readings in Acts remind me of MercyMe's song "You Reign:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat of their delicacies." Psalm 141:4 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that your heart is not drawn to what is evil. Pray that you take no part in wicked deeds. Pray that you do not eat the delicacies of evildoers.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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:
2 Kings 4:18-5:27
I’ve always loved the story of Naaman for two reasons, the first reminds me of why it is important to keep a humble spirit no matter how high and mighty we get, and the second shows me that people who are honest and truthful see and hear the news about God and change their direction.
Naaman couldn’t understand why the prophet didn’t come out of his house to meet him and then became thoroughly offended when a “servant” gave him the message to go wash in the dirty Jordan river. Anger and being incredulous will not stop God from working in ones life if a teachable spirit is within. If Naaman’s men found him unapproachable and beyond reasoning, they would not have been able to encourage him to go do what the prophet told him to do. If Naaman had had a strong sense of “entitlement”, he would never have listened to the “lowly” servant girl and gone to Samaria. To be able to lay aside preconceived notions and to admit, even if only to oneself, there can be some solution to a problem other than the one already thought out means pride has to be set aside.
Too often, we look up to our church’s leadership instead of looking to God. Naaman went looking for an appointment with a prophet and failed to get one, what he did get was an appointment with God. I wonder how many of us miss God because we become offended when the preacher/pastor/priests doesn’t do what we expected him to do or say so we throw out the instructions because the “preacher/pastor/priests didn’t grant a personal meeting and wave his hands all around.
Acts 15:1-35
The verse that has captured my imagination is verse two,
2 Paul and Barnabas, disagreeing with them, argued forcefully and at length.
It is O.K. to disagree on matters. If we are willing to listen to what others have to say, disagreements cause us to think about what we really believe and help us to hone our reasoning skills. Yet some would call that rebellion. Truth will always stand firm no matter what is thrown it’s way. If we are willing to honestly debate an issue and are open to change if we are wrong, arguing forcefully, like Paul and Barnabas, will always yield serendipitous results for all parties in the debate. To take advantage of the find we just have to stop wearing our feelings on our fingertips and put them aside ‘cause how we feel about something and what is truth, more than likely is not synonymous.
Psalm 141:1-10
I wonder if David wrote this Psalm when he had a strong desire to take vengeance on his enemies, specifically when Saul was chasing him. When reading this for today’s reading I got a deep sense of desperation. David would not strike back at Saul because he said Saul was the Lord’s anointed. Although Saul was trying to kill him, David made no offensive attacks to strike back.
Because David was always on the run, he was unable to go to a formal worship service in the Tabernacle.
2 Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering.
When someone is attacking you for no reason, our nature is to “bad mouth” them, “talk them down,” but David writes,
3 Take control of what I say, O LORD, and keep my lips sealed.
No matter what was being said about him or done to him, David seems to say I won’t do to him what he is doing to me, assassinating my character. When I am wronged, I have to fight a sense of entitlement that says I have the right to pay them back. I want to pay back evil for evil and it is a struggle that I don’t always overcome. In order to pay back evil for evil, I believe we take on the character of the currency we use, malevolence
4 Don't let me lust for evil things; don't let me participate in acts of wickedness. Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do evil.
When we set our hearts to give “pay back,” unless someone stops us we go headlong to our destruction.
5 Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they reprove me, it is soothing medicine. Don't let me refuse it. But I am in constant prayer against the wicked and their deeds.
David goes on to finish this Psalm by saying with a certainty, those who are pursuing him to destroy him will be themselves destroyed because their actions set traps that ensnare them.
Proverbs 17:23
I grew up with secrets, people keeping many secrets, and I will not participate in things done “under cover.” If you’ve got a secret, don’t tell me. Keeping secrets takes too much work and it tires you out trying to keep everything undercover. Eventually the cover will be blown off and what would have been a tiny little scandal if confessed when the incident first happened because a “Perpetrator” (Perp-walk) on the evening news for the world to see. Transparency is the only way to be.
Grace and peace, Ramona
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The Shunammite's attitude to her problem truly is inspiring....also Naaman's attitude to God is somewhat puzzling...he realises that there is just one God,that bowing to other gods is a sin...yet he makes excuses for bowing down to other gods being under the authority of a heathen king...this is a miracle that should've changed his life and the kings...but he chose to thank God for his trouble...and move on without God in His life.... Comparing Naaman's servant and Gehazi....She served with her heart,touched by her master's condition she adviced him seeking no reward for herself...Gehazi on the other hand served because he wanted recognition...and reward.... Elisha went around blessing and feeding people in times of famine...I think it's a call to men of God to leave the call to "sow into fertile ground"ie giving to the prophet to get a prophet's reward....instead to feed the sheep.... God bless you all Anka
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I remember several years ago reading about Naaman in some class and learning that the Jordan river was FILTHY. Apparently there were several beautiful and clean rivers right where Naaman was. No one would ever bathe in the Jordan, especially someone of Naaman's status. Funny how God can push us out of our comfort zone in order to receive the forgiveness and cleanliness we need, isn't it? As an aside, that Guy Rowe portrait is amazing! So detailed and real-looking and beautiful! Thank you for the work you do with this blog- it really is a blessing.
Lindsey
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Mike,
It seems several of Elisha's signs and wonders foreshadowed what Christ did on a smaller scale.
Oil - Water into wine
Restoration of Life - Elijah and Elisha prayed and asked - Jesus commanded.
Feeding - as you said
Naaman - cleansing of leper - picture of salvation - great detail in the commentary from bible.org.
Biggest thing that struck me about Naaman was how he had to humble himself to go in the Jordan river.
"As long as Naaman was proud, he would never obey the Lord in humble belief or faith....Self conceit and the various ego trips of men are typical of the unregenerate heart and even of the carnal mind of the regenerate. It is so hard to realize just who we are, mere creatures, and to submit to God’s plan. We must let God be God!" http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=836
To me, because I went through this process - and it was difficult, becoming humble and willing to submit your will to God's is an INTEGRAL part to the salvation process. I think it is enveloped in the thought that you must come to God with a "right heart" - and HE KNOWS if it is right or not.
Without that humility and abandonment of pride, in my opinion all the praying in the world will not help you achieve salvation. Because that praying will end up being lip service and mean nothing if the Heart is not right.
I can easily see myself as Naaman sitting on his horse saying - "I have to do what???? Hey, I am here am I not??? I showed up, and I am willing to do a lot of things for salvation - get on my knees, pray, acknowledge, but you want what? Complete submission?? I..I..I.. don't know about that???
I am just ever so thankful that God made me aware that what I did initially was not good enough. It was not until I got off "my horse" - was finally broken and submissive that the process of salvation was completed (in my case).
John
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Anka,
Not sure Naaman moved on without God in his life.
"Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant....
...for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the LORD."
We just don't know. He proclaimed God, and said his sacrifices in future would be to God. But he wanted forgiveness if he got caught in a "state/official" ceremony. (Actually this is a good sign, as it shows a sensitivity and knowledge that it would be wrong to bow down to an idol.)
We don't know how God acted in his case. Maybe it was a needless worry in that after seeing Naaman cured and hearing the story - the king may have exempted Naaman from such ceremonies. The king cared enough to send him to Israel, needs his battle expertise - who knows what compromises for ceremonial functions the king would be inclined to favor.
Elisha's absence of a "yeah or nay" seems to indicate that he was willing to leave it in God's hands.
[commentary gave as an option, that Naaman may even have thrown some of the "earth from Israel" down on ground before kneeling in a ceremony.] - again, we just don't know.
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Psalms 141:3 really stands out to me this morning, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord. Keep watch over the door of my lips.” Through the lips of my mouth can come gossip, lies, slander, hateful or sarcastic words, or words said in a tone of voice that can invoke hurting another person’s feelings. I think this is a verse that I need to include over and over again in my daily prayers!
God Bless! Pat
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I think you are correct about the Shunamite woman's faith. Having lived in an isolated area in Africa I've come to realize that life there is closer to Bible times than the lives we live in the US. There when a person dies, they are buried immediately. I think, because of her faith, she didn't tell anybody because they would have had the child buried before she even got back. Her silence ensured that the child would still be there when she returned with Elisha whom she knew could heal him.
Nancy
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Acts 15:1, 5, 24, The Council at Jerusalem
1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.
The disputes, the arguments between the Pharisees and Paul and Barnabas were due to, as the Letter written after the Jerusalem Council described, unauthorised people which did not belong to them (the apostles and elders). This acknowledgement is important: the disputes were not from God. These 'people' were not from God.
The Key elements of the success of the Jerusalem Council:
1) Unity in Christ
Acts 15:3
3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
Although Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles while, Peter, James and other apostles and elders were for the Jews, they were different. But they were one in Christ. They welcomed Paul and Barnabas when they went to Jerusalem. 'All the believers' were very glad, hearing the work of God via Paul and Barnabas. This showed their unity in Jesus as supposed to the 'unauthorized people' who were not glad at what Paul and Barnabas said and did; but instead they aroused disputes.
2) Collective Wisdom and confirmations
Acts 15:6, 7a, 12, 13
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them:...
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
13 When they finished, James spoke up.
Peter spoke of his witness about the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit. Paul and Barnabas shared their witness of God's work via them to the Gentiles. James also spoke up.
3) Back to Jesus (not Moses!!!) and the Bible
Acts 15:10 -11, 15
15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:...
10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Peter said that, we were saved through the grace of Jesus (as opposed to the 'unauthorised people' that it was due to Moses!)
James quoted the bible to support the decision (Amos 9:11,12).
In any disputes, we should go back to Jesus (not Moses) and the Bible (which directs us to Jesus)!
The requirements to the Gentiles:
Acts 15:28-29
28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
I believe we should pay attention to this requirement in the Letter written by the Jerusalem Council for it summed up the laws of Moses that is applicable to the Gentiles.
Frederick
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Mike and everyone, Psalm 141:5 NASB "5 Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; It is oil upon the head; Do not let my head refuse it, For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds." The rebuke of the righteous is a blessing, a kindness, not something to be upset about. David considered it as the oil priests were anointed with. Psalm 133:2 NASB "2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes." Also in Proverbs 27:6a KJV "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." And in Proverbs 6:23b NASB 'And reproofs for discipline are the way of life" Psalm 141:8-10 NASB "8 For my eyes are toward You, O God, the Lord; In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless. 9 Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me, And from the snares of those who do iniquity. 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I pass by safely." Our eyes need to be ever toward the Lord; He is our refuge, He can keep us from the jaws and snares of evildoers. And we need to trust that in His justice, He would let the wicked fall into their own nets, while He delivers us - amen.
God bless! Joyce
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Did anyone else notice that at the end of chapter 4 today Elisha busted out with a miracle that seemed to foreshadow Jesus' loaves and fishes miracles??
I did notice this and was surprised because this is my third time through the Bible, and I never remembered this miracle by a prophet. I also vaguely remember the story of the Shumanite woman, but forgot that a prophet had brought her son back to life.
This is why we need to keep reading and studying the Bible. We also need to work on our praying....at least I do. I pray from the heart, but I also have a one year book of personal prayer that show me how people of great faith pray: people who struggle with the same things I do, and for family, and our world.
Judith
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In 2nd Kings love the shunammite woman and her story is neat because she teaches faith in silence. She believed God sent her a child and that even if he was sick he could resurrect him to life. That's a promise she believed Amen.
Naaman learned the hard way that bribes or money won't buy a fancy healing. Yes God does what he says he will but it's not by your works or might and may humble you and even if it's a weird request Do it anyway!
Again Proverbs backs up not to take bribes of be the one bribing..it will only lead to trouble. Amen
Old Testament - In 2 Kings 3 verse 3 today we are reminded that King Jeroboam's legacy is held out as a unfavorable legacy... "Nevertheless he (Joram) continued in the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led the people of Israel to commit." That is an interesting thing to think about - a legacy. Jeroboam's legacy was obviously not one we'd like to have. So, what type of legacy would you like to have? And what type of legacy are you in fact leaving these days? The more I think about my legacy, the more I simply hope and pray that my legacy is something along the lines of "one who loved God and loved people." Pretty simple really. But also really tough in our modern world full of so many distractions! And I am not so sure that I am really leaving this legacy some days. I don't want to pursue this type of legacy for the wrong reasons - for any sort of appearing "righteous" or prideful reasons. But I in fact I really do want to spend the rest of my days simply loving God and loving people. Whatever else I do - career, ministry, whatever - pales in comparison to loving God and loving people. I even hesitate to write this hope for a legacy on this blog - I feel like I should go back and delete everything I just wrote. Except - I think this might be the type of legacy we are called to as Christians. Remember the two great commands Jesus gave us in Matthew 22:37 & 39 - "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself." Love God and love people. So - whaddya think? Is this a good legacy for us to aim for? Should we be aiming for a legacy at all? What will your legacy be?
2 Kings 4 verse 8 definitely demonstrates that in addition to being a prophet, Elisha was a very wise man! "One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy woman lived there, and she invited him to eat some food. From then on, whenever he passed that way, he would stop there to eat." :)
Bible.org's commentary on today's 2 Kings readings titled "The Rebellion of the Moabites" is at this link, "Elisha Prepares to Hear God’s Word" is at this link, "The Victory Over Moab" is at this link, "God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty" is at this link, and "The Shunammite Woman Receives a Son" is at this link.
New Testament - Wow... amazing readings today... Do you see the depth and strength and love of Paul's faith in verses 19 & 20 - "Now some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and turned the crowds into a murderous mob. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, apparently dead. But as the believers stood around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe." Paul is stoned and then gets back up and keeps going forward in his ministry for God! Next thing you know he is praying and fasting for elders in churches - after nearly getting stoned to death! I want a faith like that... Also, it is wonderful to read in today's readings how Paul and Barnabas tear their garments because they are so distressed that people were worshiping them as if they were gods! Would we react so quickly to stop people from worshiping us today I wonder... ?
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "Mission Accomplished" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 140 is a prayer for deliverance from evil. And this Psalm certainly should be a good reminder of the Lord’s Prayer, where we pray – “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” What is the one thing that can truly deliver us from evil? Can we deliver ourselves from evil on our own? Or do we need something beyond ourselves for this deliverance?
Verse 7 in this Psalm gives each of us something to consider and should be an encouragement: “O Sovereign LORD, my strong savior, you protected me on the day of battle.” Do you believe God is your strong savior who will protect you from evil on the day of battle? Do you believe that perhaps every day is a day of battle? Do you believe that Satan or evil ever rests in attempting to tempt people? Should we pray for protection from evil on a very regular basis? The Lord’s Prayer / Our Father is one great way to do this each day…
From 1928’s Book of Common Prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.” Lord, teach us how to pray...
Proverbs - Proverbs 17 verse 22 for some reason reminds me of Paul again from today's Acts readings: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." Think back again to Paul being nearly stoned to death in today's readings. Think he would have a good "reason" to have a broken spirit after something like that happened to him? But.... we see what he goes and does for the Kingdom just after that tragic incident! My hunch is that Paul had a very cheerful heart - because he was in such close relationship with Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. And his cheerful heart was certainly good medicine for him. He did not allow himself to have a broken spirit - even after nearly being stoned to death! Seriously, Paul is amazing - but don't worry, I'm not worshiping him... :) I am just amazed at how in love he was with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit - and how he let that love guide him and propel him forward no matter what. So, back to this Proverb - do you think it is possible for us at times to "decide" whether to have a cheerful heart or a broken spirit? All of us have something bad happen at some time or another. Is it possible that we can "decide" to be cheerful or broken after something bad happens to us? If it is possible to be cheerful after something bad happens to us, why? I think we could learn from Paul's example. If we are so close in relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I pray we can weather any storm that life might bring. Any storm. Do you believe this is true?
Worship Video: 2nd Kings today reminds me of the song "Legacy" by Nichole Nordeman:
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that your heart is cheerful, through the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit living within you through your faith in Jesus. Pray that you encourage others in their spiritual journeys to have cheerful hearts as well. Pray that you will minister to those in your life with a crushed spirit.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless, Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 - I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
Mike doing anything for anyone without the motivating factor of love is useless and will not earn you “goodie” points with God. Well it’s not really useless for the person or people you are doing it for but it is useless for the person doing if there is no love and that is by way of the Apostle Paul as written in the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians,.
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
II Kings 3-4:17
What I love about the bible are all the personal stories of the Patriarchs, the Prophets and kings. To me their stories are like Case Studies that I can observe, study and see all the warts, mistakes, miss-steps and obedience to God or lack there of. Since we live in a “Cause and Effect” world, I don’t have to bop myself upside the head repeating the same mistakes they did. If I study carefully their choices and the subsequent consequences, I can avoid failing down the same well they did. There are so many traps laid out to catch us and it is wonderful to have inside knowledge of how the devil operates, as well as avoiding those choices that eminent from my focus on “self.”
Jehoshaphat again aligns himself with Ahab’s family. This time it is his son, Joram. The last time this happened he almost got himself killed (I Kings 22), yet he again forms a pact with Israel. However because Jehosaphat is with Joram, the prophet Elisha, given the Word of the Lord regarding the battle, tolerates Joram and God gives them a great victory. How many people think they are all that and a bag of chips because they have been involved in something that is successful; however, the success of the project is not because they have clean hands or favor with God, it is because someone on the team is being honored by God because God is giving them respect and favor. I know I have been guilty of that.
We would laugh if we found out that the donkey Jesus rode on in his triumphant entry into Jerusalem thought that all the cheering was for him. But we are like the donkey when we take credit for things that succeed because we think it’s all about us; instead of realizing that the victories we experience, the favor we have, come because God sees us through the prism of His Son, Jesus. When God looks at me, a Christian, He does not see me He sees Jesus.
Isaiah 64:
6We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away.
Acts 14:8-28
When someone who can walk is injured and has to stay off their feet for even one week, when they become ambulatory again, they have a problem with balance. If someone is immobilized for an extended period, they usually go to a rehabilitation hospital to learn to walk and move again. This man that was healed had never walked before so not only did he receive strength in his feet to walk, he got instantaneous control of muscles he had never used before. That is just awesome.
Psalm 140:1-13
I imagine that David wrote this Psalm as he dodged King Saul’s dogged attempt to catch and kill him. Instead of trying to ambush and kill Saul or using the two opportunities that walked into his life to take Saul out, David gave the job of extracting vengeance over to God. David is such a role model to follow when others have wronged us and we want to get our pound of flesh. God takes care of all those who come against His servants and children. That is knowledge that I need to get deep down inside of me.
Proverbs 17:22
How we approach the day, how we respond to our situations and circumstances is a matter of choice, always was, is and will be. Circumstances shouldn’t color our day, we should color our circumstances with a joyful attitude. Happiness is based on circumstances; joy is based on knowing the outcome. As Christians, we are more than conquers which implies that we will have things to conquer, but we win!
As the Apostle Paul states, 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4)
Grace and peace, Ramona
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I think one of the most amazing things about the story with Paul & Barnabas is that they had to work so hard to keep the people from falling into idolatry and worship of them. In our American culture, that's what everybody seems to be looking for---celebrity! Even some in ministry unfortunately. And then this same crowd that was ready to make sacrifices for them and worship them as Zeus and Hermes was so quickly stirred up to anger and violence by rabble rousers. Even if they had had selfish motives and wanted to bask in the glow of all this idolatry, it would have turned on them with such a fickle crowd. Moral of the story: don't believe the hype!
Thanks so much for doing this blog. It has been a real blessing to me this year.
Micah Girl
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In regards to your last question...I sort of have a stating of the obvious. Maybe I am just dense, but I never read Proverbs 17:22 this way before...
I've been thinking and talking a lot lately about rejoicing always. Not just rejoicing when things are going well. I find, though, that all too often I (and most everyone I know) are fine with rejoicing so long as we are happy with life...but will give over to grumbling and complaining as soon as that changes.
This verse sort of reinforced this thought for me...that we are to rejoice always...are to have a joyful heart always. I love that he calls it medicine.
Who takes medicine when they are well?
The joy of the Lord is our medicine...what makes us well and gives us strength to stand no matter what life brings.
That just smacked me upside the head this morning! But I am glad for it!!
Tina
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Jehoshaphat was a man who held no grudges,even though in an attempt to save himself,Ahab put Jehoshaphat's in danger,he still went along to help Ahab's son.Even though Joram wasn't as evil as his parents were...he was still bad...and Elisha had no respect for him. It's so obvious from this OT reading who's godly(Jehoshaphat,Elisha)and who's not...Their lives spoke of their faith.I guess that's what I want in my life as well....that my life truly be a light...that I live out my faith and love for God(and my neighbours)not just profess it. I thought a bit about the Shunammite lady...she had money,she came to terms with the fact that she's never have a son...so really she wanted nothing from Elisha except to show honour to God by showing kindness to His servant...no strings attached. The same crowd that was ready to worship Paul and Barnabas turned against them...Sometimes I wonder if we as humans truly know how to worship...When we're happy we sing out loud,praise God with all(?)our heart...when we're faced with problems we get mad at the same God we once worshipped...some even reject Him completely...I pray that God teaches me how to worship Him...No stings attached..just because He is God and I am...terribly me(human)...Oh yes we should reject worship from men...I hear fans who go so nuts over their idols that they rip out earings,clothes from them...stalk them..even when we as christians "respect","adore" certain leaders that we feel God is using....we want to go and unload all our problems,we don't care how tired they are....we just want them to pray for us,hoping for a touch from God..then if they make a mistake in their lives,we're ready to stone them..... I also pray to have the kind of heart Paul did...even with bruises from the stones,maybe even limping...he still went about the kingdom business...his faith so evident in his life... God bless you all Anka
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before even reading the rest of the blog, I must comment...
Mike thanks for the comments on LEGACY... I think they are right on track... And they are great! Loving GOD and loving people... We are all leaving a legacy... What a legacy to leave...
GLORY John
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Here's something on legacy that I found inspiring, but i can't recall the author of the quote. "I expect to pass through this world but once. any good things, therefore, that I can do,any kindness that I can show a fellow being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." It reminds me of the proverb that says, "When it is in your power to do good do not withhold it."
Part of Paul's legacy in Acts 14 is that wherever he went he invested in people (called disciples) who invested in people. Jesus left us that legacy too when he gave us his last words of 'making disciples who make disciples who make disciples, unti He returns.'
Luch
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The reading today about the woman with the empty vessels reminds me of a recent empty-vessel experience in my life. After 15 years working at the local newspaper, my job was eliminated. I could have applied for one of a handful of jobs that were created in the reorganization or I could have done nothing and walked away with a severance package that would continue to provide income for about six months. Should I try for a sure thing -- one of those new jobs -- or should I walk away? I took it before the Lord and was very sure that I was being led to walk away. My colleagues were shocked. What are you going to do? they asked. I had no idea. I would spend some time with my kids, try some freelancing, look around for another job, and if worse came to worse move back home with my parents. (I'm almost 40 and would not want to do that, but they said my family and I were welcome and I was willing to go, if that was God's will.) I had emptied my vessel and laid it before God, then I filled it with the only "oil" I had -- complete faith in God. Well, before I could get my first unemployment check a job offer came in with comparable pay, good benefits and better hours. And get this -- I had not contacted this employer. The vice president, a former co-worker, contacted my husband. Said he had heard about my predicament. He was down to a handful of finalists for an open position but he said if I got my information to him right away he would consider me alongside the other candidates. I did as he requested and I got the job! Hallelujah! Was that a "God thing" or what?! If I had planned the future myself, without laying it empty before God, I probably would have gone for the "sure thing" and applied for one of those other newspaper jobs. I probably would have been unfulfilled and unhappy. Newspaper readership is declining. I could well have found myself in a tough spot again in a very short time. I have yet to start my new job, but knowing that God orchestrated it I believe it will be just what I need for this season of my life. I am so grateful to Him and I pray that the concept of the empty vessel -- just like those in our reading today -- will be one that stays with me for the rest of my life and that God helps me share with others.
Sherri
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Acts 14: Lystra
In a time and area of the world where magic, sorcery, and other activities alleged to have abounded - WHY jump on these guys bandwagon so quickly?
Because the area had, according to legend, screwed up before - and lest it happen again, and they be wiped out - the people of Lystra were trigger happy to worship the return of what they thought were Zeus and Hermes.
"Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker."
In Greek mythology, it was common for the “gods” to come to earth in human form, though they did not always do so for the good of man... The people in Lystra had a legend that once Zeus and Hermes had visited their land disguised as mortals, and no one gave them any hospitality except for one older couple. In their anger at the people, Zeus and Hermes wiped out the whole population, except for the old couple. No wonder the people of Lystra were so quick to honor Paul and Barnabas! - David Guzik
Now Zeus and Hermes (whom the Romans called Jupiter and Mercury) were traditionally connected with that region; in the eighth book of his Metamorphoses (lines 626 ff.) the poet Ovid tells a well known story of how they came to those parts incognito and received hospitality from an aged couple, Philemon and Baucis, who were well rewarded for their kindness, while their inhospitable neighbours were overwhelmed by a deluge. http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/ffbruce/ntdocrli/ntdocc08.htm ====================================================== Paul's Follow-Up: Going back to previous "stops".
Personally this hit me hard. I received almost no follow-up after salvation. I travelled to a family church 30 miles up the interstate, and was on my own the next 6 days. Person at work who pointed me to Christ hardly ever spoke to me - surely not as much as he did when trying to "evangelize me"/"save me".
My faith was not an issue, but after wonderful Sunday worship - I found myself after six months finding it harder to hit my knees in prayer, read the Bible, think of Christ - I JUST started becoming easily distracted. Then going back getting "right" on Sunday only to drift again thru another week.
I am not talking about an indoctrination, but just "caring" for other Christians. A phone call, an email, an accountability/prayer partner, a Bible Study Group, occasional planned activities, and PRAYER for the new Christians.
Paul and Barnabas seemed to have a very succinct and patterned system for follow-up. It is a little different than above because "new" churches (groups of people) were involved - but other than "organization" it would seem also to apply to individual new Christians.
["They" being Paul and Barnabas]
"They were willing to give up their lives to carry the gospel." But have you ever known anyone willing to give up his life for follow-up? They did. They went back to the cities, and it would have been hotter for them than their first visit. It would have been very easy for them to say, "They are already saved, let's play it cool. They are going to get to heaven." They were so committed to follow-up that they would spend their lives if need be. That is some kind of commitment. I find that there are many people burdened over leading people to Christ, and willing to give their lives to preach the gospel, but I don't find too many people giving their lives to follow-up the saints."
1)"strengthening the disciples" - Gk. episterizo: which is made up of epi meaning "upon," and sterix meaning "a prop" or "a support." Paul and Barnabas went back to prop up the disciples. Episterizo is used four times in the book of Acts for propping up new believers (Ac. 14:21; 15:32, 41; 18:23). Literally it means "to strengthen." They helped the disciples to stand on their own and to be strong. - John MacArthur
2)"encouraging them to remain true to the faith" - Exhorting them - The word "encouraging" is parakaleo in the Greek and means "to push a person toward a certain kind of conduct." It is like saying, "Here are the facts, now go do it!" - ibid.
[Purpose of exhorting is to have them continue in faith, and be prepared for the coming hardships (spiritual warfare).]
3)Organization: appointed "elders" so the people would have local leadership when Paul and Barnabas were gone.
4)prayer with fasting: concentrated prayer
5)"committed them to the Lord" - in the end when all the follow-up of the evangelists is done - they "commended" the new believers (church) to God.
Cited direct lifts from a John MacArthur sermon.
John
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Reading the bible takes a lot of study and thought, and each and every time I open the book I learn something new, no matter how many times I read it. I love the bible and the gospel, but have been struggling with church lately, which has been kind of hard for me. I have been reading Ray Barnett's book about titled, "THE GATHERING." THE GATHERING sets people free – pastors, church members, and “wounded orphans” who have long since left the institutional church. It sets them free by allowing them to think about issues that have previously been encased in tradition to the point of suffocation. It has been a great book.
Becky
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Mike and everyone, 2 Kings 3:1-4:17 i was inspired by a sermon by Simon Robinson called "Under the Influence" at sermoncentral.com: Jehoshophat had already been rebuked by the Lord (through His Prophets) for his alliance with the last 2 Kings. 2 Chronicles 19:2 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. (NIV) 2 Chronicles 20:37 37 Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made." The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade. (NIV) And yet when asked by Ahab’s son Joram to join him in battle against Moab, 7b And Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses." (2 Kings 3:7b NLT) Joram, the Scripture tells us - "He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, but not to the same extent as his father and mother... he continued in the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had committed and led the people of Israel to commit."(2 Kings 3:2,3 NLT) And Jehoshaphat only remembered to inquire the Lord's guidance much later, when the alliance of Judah, Israel, and Edom went through wilderness for seven days without water. In the end, though the Lord did help the three allies, the battle had led to "death, destruction, and human sacrifice", when the Moabites turned to human sacrifice in desperation. How different would be outcome be if Jehoshaphat had sought out the Lord's guidance at the outset? May this story be a reminder for us, to daily seek the Lord and His Word as our life's guidance. "Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord." (Psalm 119:1 NIV) grateful for Simon Robinson's sermon; most of all - grateful for God's inspired Word.
God bless you! Joyce
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Mike-Thank you SO much for your blog, it blesses me and my husband daily and I thank The Lord for you and your ministry.
I think your legacy is wonderful as it does connect to the first and second commandments. So does J.O.Y. Jesus, Others, Yourself. :-)
I wrote a personal mission statement (legacy) back in 2009 and it is similar to yours... "Glorify and serve Jesus Christ while encouraging, inspiring and loving others!"
ALL for Him,
Kathy
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Good evening all! Cute analogy about the donkey Ramona 2 Kings 3:1-4:17 Israel. Judah both groups team up again. This was in the 18th year of Jehosophats reign This time was to fight against Moab.
Jehosophat made me think of book of Ruth. The allegiance and love "You and I are one. My troops are your troops- my horses your horses-
King jehosophat -seeks a prophet of the Lord
Elisha -gets called While the harp played - the Spirit was all upon Elisha The moabite clan-what a disaster- to sacrifice their own child-so sad
We got to see and witness Elisha and see how awesome he was - helping-the widow and giving wise advice and giving back to the Shunammite woman who was so sweet and hospitable.
Acts 14:8-28 Place: Lystra Paul and Barnabas were healing others based on the faith of believers - a crippled man The people were calling them gods - this saddened them- Paul got stoned again- left for dead. He got up - went on with Barnabas to Derbe returned to Lystrq , Iconium and Antioch- appointed elders in every church- ended today in Antioch God opened the door of faith for gentiles!
Psalm 140:1-13 Psalm of David Rescue me and Lord keep evil away- from me and my family, friends, close ones-protect them
Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine but a broken spirit saps a persons strength.
II Kings 18:13-19:37
I have always thought about Hezekiah’s first attempt at getting Assyria to leave its borders by means of monetary persuasions when I’m faced with a threatening situation. Appeasement only works for a short time because the enemy will always be back.
Stripping the gold from the doors of the Temple is kind of like taking the things we may have designated to God, be it monetary or our time and talents, and diverting them to another area effecting our lives as if the problem will go away, it won’t. It’s best to deal head on with the issue, but I know that it is a very hard thing to do. We want to take the path of least resistance; however, that path always seems to take us back to the point where we started, Sennacherib knocking at the door.
19:14After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the LORD's Temple and spread it out before the LORD.
I believe the prayer prayed is a model for us to use when we feel threatened and overwhelmed. This prayer stated the truth; the Assyriaian army had conquered every country they attacked, but in the threat against Judah, the God of gods had been challenged and Hezekiah was running to the name of the Lord, his high tower.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.
Acts 21:1-7
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) is quoted as saying,
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything” In order to take a stand one must be firm in planting ones feet on the ground becoming immovable from the position they have taken even to the point of death. To Fall for anything is not really living ones life to the fullest it is only existing. Paul found something to die for, thus he lived life to the max.
Mark 8:36
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (KJV)
Psalm 149:1-9
5 Let the faithful rejoice in this honor.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.
I’m thinking that singing for joy as I lie in my bed may be a wonderful way to prepare myself for sleep. Praising God with a glad heart and a joyful spirit may just usher me into a night of wonderful sleep. Hmmm, I won’t know unless I try.
Proverbs 18:8
If rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into the heart than one who loves to hear “secrets” at the expense of the reputation of others, getting their ears tickled with “good” stuff will themselves become spreaders of rumors and not be listeners only
Luke 6:45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (NIV)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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Awesome! We just read through Acts ch 21-22 at church sunday night, so when i come to certain parts in my readings here, i remember what my pastor said.
Ugh, i dont like rumors or gossip, not that i'm innocent myself. I think its just our sin nature to gossip and pass on rumors, but God help us with that! Rumors are not valid to me, but i think they are still dangerous because once you hear them, your opinion of that person may be tainted. and yes, it will infect your heart.
Jenny
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Question...
Is the prophet Isaiah, first mentioned in 2 Kings 19:2, the same Isaiah who's book we will be reading later this year?
Yours in Christ
Skip
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As I was reading the taunting words of King Sennacherib this morning, it reminded me of some of the voices I have in my own head sometimes which are maybe initiated by the devil trying to get me to doubt God. King Sennacherib says, “What are you trusting that makes you so confident? Who are you counting on?” Then he goes on to try and convince them that they will be defeated just like all the rest have and their God will not save them. This sounds just like my doubts when I start to get discouraged and wonder if I will ever overcome some of my problems and sins. That’s why I love the response of the Lord in this reading today! “His armies will not enter Jerusalem. They will not even shoot an arrow at it. I will defend this city and protect it.”
When we are overwhelmed with voices of doubt, taunting us, trying to get us not to trust our Lord, we should take those doubts to the Lord like Hezekiah did and “spread them out before Him.” Then we can trust the promises from His word that He will protect and defend us, and not even one arrow will be shot at us.
Linda
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All the previous comments are quite helpful and full of insight for me, I don't know if my comment will be. I still have so much to learn about the Bible, it's history, and God's plan, but it was one of the truths that stood out to me. In 2 Kings 18:31 the Assyrian commander is making claims and promises to the people. Verse 32 ends with "Choose life and not death". I was reading and in my mind trying to remember if the Assyrian take over was part of God's plan or not. (I mean I know the whole nation will be taken into captivity at some point, so was this part of that plan?) This reminded me a similar challenge to the Israelites back in Deuteronomy 30 when Moses is telling the people about he blessings/consequences of obeying or not obeying God. The truth that stood out is simple, Evil Imitates Good. Satan will take the words of God and twist them to sound like truth when it is actually leading to destruction. Sometimes I am not able to discern the lie from the truth because it is familiar to my ears;therefore,I must take everything to God (like Hezekiah) and trust Him to direct me. Choosing life and not death is a choice I make everyday when it comes down to obeying God, actually it's a moment by moment choice for me. There is obviously so much more pondering I need to do on this reading today, but I just wanted to take a quick moment to share that bit. Any further comments are appreciated.
Sherri
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Sherri, your comments are helpful. I know God is pleased with your desire to learn all about Him and His Word. What you siad about Satan twisting God's words to make them sound like truth makes a lot of sense. There is a Bible study I just completed that really makes lots of those lies clear. If you're interested in reading it, it is Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
Will be praying for you, Raeann!
The insight that stood out to me today was Hezekiah immediately taking his concerns straight to God. I take my concerns to God, but many times not immediately. I spend a lot of time worrying about them first. That was a great lesson today. Also, Paul being willing to die for Jesus' Name....wow. That is difficult to think about, yet it reminds me of the girl at Columbine in Colorado that did just that.
Lori
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I am struck by the song "Two Hands." Pulling God toward me with one hand while holding him at arm's length with the other...when what I ought to be doing is to be raising both hands in worship, honoring God.
Thanks for making me think today.
Jackie
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Acts 20:22, 21:4b Bob Deffinbaugh's commentary about the Holy Spirit saying different things to two people is interesting: These saints were correct in understanding that Paul would be bound in Jerusalem, but they were wrong in their conclusion that Paul should not go. Paul, on the other hand, was correct in pressing on to Jerusalem. I believe we must conclude that the Holy Spirit revealed only the fact of Paul’s fate, and that the conclusions drawn from this were not those which came from the Spirit, and were not the will of God for Paul. The expression “speaking in the Spirit” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “speaking through the Spirit” (NASB) must refer to the fact that the words spoken “through the Spirit” were the words pertaining to Paul’s bondage, while the words spoken urging Paul not to go were not spoken “through the Spirit” but were spoken out of the loving and well-intentioned hearts of these mistaken saints.
Bob
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We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray
For many of these encounters with the saints and disciples, ministry seems two-way. not Paul setting up conferences for attenders (like today) but receiving hospitality and prayer. With the exception of yesterday's account of his lengthy teaching, Paul is now being ministered to more than he is ministering.
Andrew
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Psalms 149 is a description of what Heaven will be like! Mike i am also into praise and worship music because it is so uplifting to my spirits. Not to say others can't enter into worship in all kinds of music! who know you might be that guy sitting next to me at one of the concerts! I mean why do we hesitate to raise our hands in worship because scripture often refers to lifting up our hands in praise!
I love Hezekiahs prayer to God! "Open your eyes and see O Lord! " We csn model his prayer when no one else can help us.
I was at a memorial service for a man who died. His daughter spoke of him at his age of 73 doing Gods work and proclaiming to be a Christian all his life. Not until 4 years ago when he learned of his cancer did he acknowledge he didn't really know the Lord. She spoke of his kingdom work and God used him to touch others lives. But then He acknowledged this and was saved and got baptized at that point. Do we know the Lord personally? Are you ready to die for him and become imprisoned as Paul says. If you aren't then you need to examine your heart.
Jane
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Mike and everyone,
This verse definitely stands out to me today:
Proverbs 18:8 NET
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down into the person’s innermost being."
Elliot's Commentary for English readers says -
"Dainty morsels" are eagerly swallowed, and "go down into the innermost parts of the belly," i.e., are treasured up in the deepest recesses of the heart, to be remembered and brought out again when an opportunity for employing them occurs.
i feel very convicted - many times i have been in the giving and receiving ends of gossip.
came across these verses today, need to keep them in mind:
Matthew 12:35-37 NLT
35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.
37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
So how can we have good hearts, so that out of the goodness of our hearts our mouths will speak?
Romans 12:2 NLT
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
i think the answer is to let God's Word and His Spirit continually transform our hearts and our minds, so that we may speak according to God's good and pleasing and perfect will.
Appreciate very much this verse:
Ephesians 4:29 NET
29 You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Before i say something, i should ask - is this beneficial for building up the person in need? Will it give grace to those who hear?
May God teach us as we learn from His Word each day.
May our words and our life glorify Him!
Sincerely,
Joyce
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Thank you Ramona for reminding me of my mom's often quote of A.H. she also quoted "Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone, dare to have a purpose, dare to make it known. She's gone to be with the Lord. I should have heeded her advice over the years. So blessed we have a God of second chances. I am so blessed.
Alan
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When I read about King Hezekiah agreeing to pay King Sennacherib to leave his people alone, I thought that this seemed almost like blackmail, and no good ever comes from that. But Hezekiah was a good man, and he did the right thing with his prayer and submission to God's will. I especially liked the picture of Hezekiah kneeling before the Lord.
I liked the song and video today too. The gift of water made these people with so little so happy.
God bless all of you this holiday week.
God bless America!
Judie
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So true Ramona, about ones enjoying tasty morsels are usually good gossipers too. I am guilty of that at times. I've learned to be honest with myself and others and be like please don't tell me something if you don't want it repeated. Alot of times I do it accidentally. So I try to nip it by being honest and on guard. However prayer and reading the book of James teaches us about bridling our mouths and what the power of the tongue can do. Amen!
Dee
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I like the comment / challenge for us from observing the life of Hezekiah:
“Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or whatever - can we simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them?”
2 Kings 19 (NKJV)
14
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
15
Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: “O LORD God of Israel, THE ONE WHO DWELLS BETWEEN THE CHERUBIM, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.
16
Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God.
17
TRULY, LORD, THE KINGS OF ASSYRIA HAVE LAID WASTE the nations and their lands,
18
and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them.
19
NOW THEREFORE, O LORD OUR GOD, I PRAY, SAVE US FROM HIS HAND, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone.”
MY NOTE:
Note the verses highlighted in all capital letters:
a. God is the One Who Dwells Between The Cherubim
b. It Is True, O Lord, That The Enemy Has Laid Waste
c. Now, O Lord Our God, Save Us, So That All May Know That You Alone Are God.
I like the simple and direct frankness and honesty of Hezehiah:
* You are the God of Mercy
* The enemy has killed many others and plans to kill us
* Deliver us so all can know that You God alone are the true God.
A. What are cherubim? According to the website, hebrew4christians.com (http://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Hebrew_Glossary_-_K/hebrew_glossary_-_k.html), this is the meaning of cherubim:
Keruv / Keruvim (Cherubim)
noun. Cherub / Cherubim. Heavenly creatures (angels) who guarded the wa to the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24).
In the context of this passage in 2 Kings, the cherubim are connected with the ark of the covenant, which is related to God’s Presence.
GOD’S PRESENCE - From the same website, hebrew4christians.com (http://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Hebrew_Glossary_-_Sh/hebrew_glossary_-_sh.html)
Shechinah
noun. Shechinah; Divine Presence; Inspiration. Sometimes used to refer to the Presence of God and specifically when it dwelt (rested) between the Keruvim (Cherubim) over the Seat of Atonement of the Ark of the Testimony in the Kodesh Hakodeshim (Holy of Holies).
God’s Presence is always honored and manifest where His chosen sacrifice for our sins is. In that place, there is peace (Shalom – which is completeness for the entire human being: spirit, soul, and body).
God longs to be close to each of us, and it is where God’s chosen sacrifice is honored where God can reveal Himself to man.
Hezekiah and the people of Israel were unified together under the authority of the Blood covenant of the Lord God of Mercy. Today, we can do the same.
Jesus is the Perfect Sacrifice of God, and we are His Body on this earth. We are called to walk in unity with one another—not always in perfect agreement on every point—but in agreement under the Lordship of Jesus and His Blood. We can pray for one another, and we can pray together for those who need Jesus. Finally, we can pray as one against the evil in the world.
As we do that, the Father manifest His very glory to us.
John 17 (NKJV)
22
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
23
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
Terrorism does not have to rule and reign on the earth as long as Jesus is Lord, and as long as the people of God unite in prayer and fasting under the Blood covenant of the Lord God of Mercy in Jesus’ Name.
Acts 21 (NKJV)
14
When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done."
NOTE:
Many times I have said “The Lord’s will be done” in a way that was really unbelief. I did not want to take time to wait, surrender, and hear from God.
So, at that time, for me to say, “The Lord’s will be done”, was really an excuse to not seek God.
There is nothing passive about following God. Yes, there can be wonderful times of rest.
But, we are called to truly and actively seek the Lord’s will, and then pray, “The Lord’s will be done”.
Ephesians 5 (NKJV)
15
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16
redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
John 1 (NKJV)
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
NOTES FROM THE FULL LIFE STUDY BIBLE:
John 1:12 – BELIEVED
“It is important to note that John never uses the noun ‘belief’ (Greek – pistis). Yet he uses the verb ‘believe’ (Greek – pisteuo) 98 times. For John, saving faith is an activity, something that people do. True faith is not a static belief and trust in Jesus and His redeeming work, but a loving, self-abandoning commitment that constantly draws one near to Him as Lord and Savior.”
Psalm 149 (NKJV)
4
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.
5
Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.
6
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand,
7
To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples;
8
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9
To execute on them the written judgment— this honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD!
NOTE:
What a place of honor and privilege for us, as the people of God! Also… what a calling!
Fulfilling our calling—or fulfilling the vision of how GOD HIMSELF SEES US—then, is the reason for the great urgency for developing and using the activity of faith – that “loving, self-abandoning commitment that constantly draws one near to Him as Lord and Savior.”
How do we as the people of God conquer?
While God may use a government through military force when needed, God never calls the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to conquer that way.
According to Romans 13:4, God created a government to “not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”
Where there is a government which is oppressing people and doing evil things, that government and its leaders will be held strictly accountable.
We are called to conquer through spiritual weapons—prayer, fasting, intercession, and the power of the living God through us who are not worthy. Yet, God has made us worthy in Jesus.
Vance