1 Kings 7:1-50 + Acts 7:30-50 + Psalm 128:1-6 + Proverbs 16:31-33
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Old Testament - Today we read about the building of King Solomon's Palace! Here is an interesting note in Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion on the Sea discussed in verse 23 - "Then Huram cast a large round tank, 15 feet across from rim to rim; it was called the Sea. It was 7 1/2 feet deep and about 45 feet in circumference." Apparently the sea was a huge tank that could hold approximately 12,000 gallons of water. It was used by the priests for their ceremonial washings. Impressive structure per the image below!
New Testament - Stephen's great sermon to the temple council continues today! Great timing on his sermonizing in verses 46 through 50 related to the Temple Solomon built - ""David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who actually built it. However, the Most High doesn't live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says, `Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that?' asks the Lord. `Could you build a dwelling place for me? Didn't I make everything in heaven and earth?'" The last 2 verses came from Isaiah chapter 66 verses 1 & 2 (as the prophet says..) Indeed it is true! We do not need a temple for God today. God does not live in a temple built by human hands. I have heard it said before - "If you are in relationship with God through his son Jesus, you are God's temple." Do you believe this is true? Do you believe that your body is a temple that God can live in?
A great look at the characteristics of Stephen's sermon today is at Bible.org at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 128 verse 1 stands out today: "How happy are those who fear the LORD-- all who follow his ways!" Do you think it is possible to be happy and to fear God at the same time? Do you believe a healthy fear of God is, well, healthy? Why would we fear God - God who loves us immensely? What is this Psalmist saying to us today in our lives?
Proverbs - I love Proverbs 16 verse 31 today! "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life." Let us pray that we all get gray hair - and be thankful for it! Don't dye it away. It is a crown of glory!
Worship God: Today's readings remind me of Tauren Wells’ terrific song “Hills and Valleys:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4rRCjrAyCs
Do you know the God of the hills and valleys? Click here and Be Known!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." Proverbs 16:31 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you will one day have a crown of splendor of gray hair. Pray that you will live a righteous life through faith in Jesus. Pray that you love, respect and serve those in your life today that have a crown of splendor of gray hair.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Per Psalm 128:1 today, what are some ways that you are literally "fearing the Lord" in your life today? Do you agree with the Psalmist that those who fear the Lord are happy? Why or why not? Have you gone through periods of your life where you did not fear the Lord? Were you happy then? 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.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
1 Kings 7:1-51
The first thing I noticed in today is reading, Solomon took almost twice as long to build his palace then he did to build the Temple. I know that God does not dwell manmade places or created things, yet it seems disingenuous to spend more time with his palace then a Temple he built to give glory to God. There can be a multitude of reasons why his own personal residence took longer, he may have used more workers to build the temple, and they may have put in longer hours to build it.. Just seems kind of curious in my opinion.
Acts 7:30-50
Stephen points out in his message that Israel sacrificed in the desert and they had the appearance of worshiping God; however, they were really worshiping pagan gods. We too can find ourselves sitting in church every time the door flies open, singing and worshiping God; however, our hearts are like Israel, focused on other gods. I also find it interesting that when God describes idolatry it is compared to a husband or wife committing adultery (Jer 3:8-9)/
Psalm 128:1-6
According to Proverbs understanding The Fear of the Lord requires diligent pursuit of:
a. God’s Words and accepting them once you receive them.
b. Crying out for knowledge and understanding.
c. Seeking and searching after that Word as if you are mining for Silver, God and all hidden treasures,
Then one will understand godly fear as well as gain knowledge of God
(Proverbs 2:1-5)
That being the case one cannot really explain the Fear of the Lord to anyone who has not done the above and one who hasn’t done the above cannot explain the “Fear to others.
One can also take note of Proverb 8:13,
To fear the LORD is to hate evil …
This is a clear, concise definition of what it is to fear the Lord. It is hating what God hates.
Proverbs 16:31-33
The thirty-second verse of chapter 16 contains a word that I have been exploring in the bible for about five years, self-control. If you search out Proverbs, you will see that “self-control” is the foundation or core behavior in becoming grounded in God. In fact, it takes self-control to acquire understanding in “The Fear of the Lord.”
Ramona
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The readings today show the attempts of God's people to make a place,a holy place, for God to reside. While Solomon builds a magnificent Temple, buildings were the best way he knew to house the Almighty. Stephen, in Acts, shows how we relate to outward forms of worship and yet turn away from God's word to us. He reminds us that God can not be housed in a building, however magnificent. The Psalms and Proverbs remind us that our relationship to God and our very selves, therefore, become God's Temple. The church is to be God's Temple, that is, the people of God. Fear of God does not seem to mean afraid of God but in awe and respect and, yes, admiration and love of and with God. Following His ways makes us happy especially as we grow older. But, we could never do this on our own. We would more likely be like the hebrews who rejected the prophets sent to bring us back to God.
Dear Lord, Please help us to be your church, your living temple through the grace of your Son.We constantly fail to listen and fall short, our building may shine on the outside but you know of the decay within. help us to be your living church. Through Jesus Name, Amen.
PS Mike, thank you for this wonderful opportunity to study the Word with you. Your ministry is appreciated and I think it will help me to do something I have wanted to do for a long time:read through the Bible again in a structured way. I last did this as a young teen with my grandmother-many years ago. Thank you so much, and God bless you for this major effort. Judy
Judy
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Due to illness and work I have been playing catch up for the last few days. Due to work I missed church on pentecost sunday. I am reminded of something that my daughter said several years ago in church on pentecost sunday. I live in the south and we had already had our 1st hurricane of the year. when the reader read the verse about the Holy Spirit coming as a "great rushing wind", my daughter who was 3 at the time asked me fearfully if another hurricane was coming. My daughters are presently on a pilgrimage to washington DC and New York in preparation for their confirmation. They and 3 other 16yr olds and 4 adults from our youth program have been visiting several cathedrals in New York and ground zero, and the National cathedral in Washington, the Holocaust museum and all the memorials. they were supposed to come home tonight but the bus broke down yesterday and we aren't sure when they will be coming home. Please pray for their safe return and that God moved in their hearts on this spiritual journey. I would also like to ask for your prayers that this years hurricane season will be light and that God will calm the waters and still the wind. this is my 3rd time through the one year bible but my 1st time on the web site. I get so much more out of all the comments. I am not often moved to comment but I read all of the comments and "ponder them in my heart". God's peace to you all. Cheryl
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Cheryl,
I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Remember God is the God of the Round Trip :-). May I suggest something to you? If you are apprehensive about posting things on the Blog, try writing your thoughts as a Word, Notepad document and save them to your hard drive. I am at ease at posting up because I have been journaling through the Bible for over seven years. I treat my posts as an extension of my journaling only now it is in a public forum. Never assume that what you have to say or what you think is insignificant. Even if it is wrong, that error will allow the Holy Spirit to come in and correct you. Notice I said the Holy Spirit—it is He that will lead us all into Truth.
Grace and peace to you,
Ramona
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Cheryl,
May God bless and keep you and your loved ones safe..................
As I read through the OT readings,it struck me that Solomon spent more time on his palace and his wife's than on Gods...so I looked again to see the measurements of the building...although the dimension of the hall of justice isn't mentioned,it's said he built a palace for his wife similar to that...so he did spend considerable time on that too.God called David a man after his own heart but was Solomon?David too had quite a number of wives but I don't remember him building houses or was that because he was too busy fighting wars?Solomon lived in a time of peace and while building a temple for God,his heart was beginning to turn away...in the end he does begin to turn to the gods of his wives but it seems this is the beginning of his worship....spending so much time on his palace and his wife's...could it have been her idea?
In the NT readings I kept being amazed at how the jews refused to see Jesus as the messiah even after he had done so many miracles and stunned them by his wisdom and authority.In today's reading,I see the connection...the same people who saw God part the sea later decided a cow was a better god and turned away from God....the prophet God had used was now"this fellow"to them.It says familiarity breeds contempt and honestly sometimes I wonder if by any chance there are things I do that show disrespect,contempt...or rejection to God without realising it..I pray the Holy Spirit reveals that in my life.................
About grey hair:)I proudly show mine of as a claim to my age cos so many folks still think I'm a teenager and I stopped being a teen 11 years ago:)
God bless you all
Anka
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When I read Proverbs 16:31, "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life", I can’t help but wonder if God doesn’t grieve over our society’s obsession with physical looks today. It seems that more and more emphasis on God and His blessings is fading away and in its place the emphasis is being placed on facelifts and Botox to make one look younger, nips and tucks to change one’s body style, and the many eating disorders ranging from the desire to look like a skeleton to binge eating because one can’t consume enough to become satisfied. It amazes me how people will allow other people thousands of miles away that don’t even know or care about them dictate how they should dress. Think what this world would be like if people were as obsessed with God as they have become obsessed with themselves and how they look, and think about all the good that could be done if the money spent on cosmetic applications of all types was spent instead on missions. I’m afraid that our world is on a downward spiral that will continue until the day our Lord returns and sits on His eternal throne.
God Bless!
Pat
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Verses that stood out for me today:
Acts 7:49 "‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Could you build me a temple as good as that?’
asks the Lord.
‘Could you build me such a resting place?".
Psalm 128:1 "How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
all who follow his ways!".
Psalm 128:4 "That is the Lord’s blessing
for those who fear him".
Proverbs 16:32 "Better to be patient than powerful;
better to have self-control than to conquer a city".
To fear the Lord makes me happy. When I tell people that I fear the Lord, they will respond with "I ain't fear no one!!!". But they just don't know what it's like to fear the Lord! It's not fear in being scared, I mean, we all know that. To fear the Lord makes me work harder, fear the Lord keeps me going, keeps me awake, keeps me sharp! I'm happy! So happy!!!
Mae
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Mike says "I love Proverbs 16 verse 31 today! "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life." Let us pray that we all get gray hair.."
Well Mike, as it's started to go grey this year... I must have been particularly righteous recently then!
{Joking} :D :)
-Perhaps when that passage was written if you lived a godly peaceful friendly generous and loving life, you were more likely to survive long enough for your hair to turn grey, if you were angry and violent towards people they would like come back after you to get their revenge and might kill you off before your hair had chance to change colour?(As it wouldn't be just an 'eye for an eye' before God stepped in, but an enemy would try and take both your eyes and your ears if you took their eye...)
Helen
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I read and studied Frances Chan's book The Forgotten God several months ago...It is a very good book about the Holy Spirit! Our church did a Bible Study on it and then our pastor finished off with a lot of verses out of the Bible about the Holy Spirit!! I loved all of it! It is a VERY GOOD BOOK to read...He also wrote Crazy Love which is another GREAT book as well!!
Thanks for this opportunity to read the Bible through in a year...I have always wanted to, but never made it all the way through! I have stayed devoted to this and will continue to!! Thanks again Mike!
Terri
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I just believe that because I walk in the fear of the Lord, God has saved me from great sorrow and heartache that comes when we choose our own selfish ways instead of His ways. The fear of the Lord doesn't mean throwing extra money in the offering plate or attending church in hope of God's mercy- although those choices can make a difference. The fear of the Lord is a daily walk of obedience. I made foolish choices thinking that I knew God and pleased Him. Perhaps, in my youth, it would have helped to have someone older and wiser than me mentor me and guide me into truth.
Debbie
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I believe 'fearing' the Lord has made me happy in the sense that it brings me inexplicable peace, even when the choice to do so is sometimes difficult. ('Fearing' the Lord as in meaning 'respecting/obeying/walking in His will.) Happiness seems to be a somewhat transitory word (and for many of us it's usually self-oriented); I think the Psalmist meant something deeper than what we might initially think of with that translation of the word. The idea of being blessed (for me) goes beyond my immediate sense of emotion or even my life situation in response to adopting God's will as my own; it refers to something often beyond me, my life, beyond Time, even.
My choosing to be in the center of God's will ('fearing God') sometimes does not appear at first glance to be the one sure place that will bring me 'happiness' or security and peace (eg. trusting God to work out inevitable difficulties in the early years of my now 31-yr. marriage). But hindsight has taught me just how myopic my human vision can be, and has also shown me the mistaken assumption I can entertain that God, and even 'blessedness,' is all about me. I've lived long enough with a very patient heavenly Father to finally discover, though, that 'blessedness' is sometimes far bigger than me and even my immediate experience of it. It would have to be, to be blessedness from an infinitely loving, wise, and great God! And when it is...it is truly blessedness--the deepest, most rewarding kind of happiness.
Patricia
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Fearing God to me means standing in awe of Him and not want to hurt him. Trembling at His word and know that He is real and I need to fear Him to have a intimate walk with Him.
Elizabeth
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Some of the reading today has been very timely. I had the opportunity to visit a 5 acre site for a new church plant today. Reading about Solomon's temple is just so decadent. Stephen really says what a church is when he quotes Is66:1-2. Interesting we have taken Nehemiah's scripture as our guiding words for the building of our church. (NB: The remnant and the rebuilding come out of the fact that most of the congregation left another church over a dispute between two pastors).
Bob
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I totally agree that the fear of the Lord brings such a joy....
Cathy
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I already have a gray beard!
Greg
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Psalm 128
However you perceive "fear of the Lord" I think the results are what is important. The three reminders I meditate on are the blessings received; prosperity, fruitful wife and sons like olive shoots. I was reminded of these things last Monday when we celebrated my wife's birthday. Barbecued Hamburgers, her homemade potato salad and beer. It doesn't get any better than that! Her recovery from a successful surgery is such a blessing. Her 5 children all supportive and participating in being positive citizens of God's kingdom. My neighbor and and Anglican priest said a wonderful thing to me yesterday, "You have done a great job raising your kids." Wow! It doesn't get any better than that!
Robert
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The operation..Hiram provided timber..God is building his temple.
1 Kings 7:1-51
Wealth beyond measure but obedience to the Lord is what he wants.
Acts 7:30-50
Stephen -Israel rejected the truth that God sent to him-even rejected Messiah.
Stephen's death-3rd murder in history
Gospel moved out to Judai and Samaria
Powerful words of Stephen-speaking in line with today's O.T. about Solomon being given permission to build the temple of God.
Psalm 128:1-6 parallels with Psalm 112. When you fear the Lord-enjoying God's word.
Having healthy fear and respect. Fervent awe of the Lord is healthy to the soul.
Proverbs 16:31-33
Grey hair is a crown of glory. Better patient than powerful
Better self control than conquer a city
The Lord determines how people fall.
Amen!
Be blessed
Dee