Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Psalm 35-38
Scripture
Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:5-7
Observation
Our Lord's love, faithfulness, righteousness, justice and support is overwhelming and worthy of our praise.
Application
I'm starting to realize how little of my prayer time is spent praising God. And there is so much to praise Him for! This scripture is just a small start - but it's a great start!
Prayer
Lord, I praise you for your immeasurable love, for your unwavering faithfulness, for your perfect righteousness, for your justice tempered with your incomprehensible mercy and your personal support for each and every one of us! Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Psalm 39-41, 53, 55 and 58
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Sunday- Guest Post By Mrs. Oz
Today's reading in One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan Psalm 27 - 32
There is so much good in these Psalms, I'm going with a SOAP to narrow my favorite down. Don't you feel though that the last few days of Psalm reading has been like a refreshing breeze in our bible reading? I love all the history but this has been a nice interlude.
Scripture:
27:13-14
I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Observation:
Some of you know, if you read my blog at all, that I'm getting ready to start Randy Alcorn's book "If God Is Good" as a book club reading for the summer. I think that is why this verse stood out to me. I've been thinking a lot about the hard questions regarding evil we experience here on this earth, and about how God's goodness is complete and unchanging. Seeing God's goodness here on earth is an amazing thing. It's beauty in the midst of ugliness. It's a refreshing breeze in a hot dry land of want. It's water for our thirsty souls. It is so very many things! We appreciate it because of it's contrast, sin and evil. Yet, how more glorious will the goodness of God be in the land of the living! It's beauty will no longer need the contrasting dark hues for us to appreciate it. We will see it fully, and without sinful perspectives. We hold out for that moment, we long for it and we see it way out on the horizon.
Yet, on hard days it seems far a way to the weary heart. So often in our Christian walk, God requires us to wait. When my dad, at 53 was diagnosed with a fatal cancer this poem became such a dear comfort to him. I think it's good for us all. Waiting can be beautiful for us because we are holding the stronger, more steady hand of our Heavenly Father. Yet, even more than that, we are surrendering fully and trusting Him completely letting go of everything we think we are or can be. We are emptied out of us and fall fully on Him. I hope the poem encourages you.
Wait
by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."
"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
"The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."
Application:
We have a great hope of God's goodness! It is enough for us when all else is emptied out. It will require us to wait at some point or at many points in our journey. Waiting can be a precious place when we surrender.
Prayer:
Lord, you are worth waiting for! Your goodness is all that we need and it is a promise we long for. Remind us of our hope when the world goes dark or we are suddenly disoriented from one trial or another. Be our foundation that is firm. Allow us to be okay with waiting on you. Fill us with your amazing peace when we do that results in joy. Thank you that you long for the fulfillment of your glory and that we benefit from that by the grace poured out from your Son.
Happy Mother's Day to you all!
Tomorrow's reading is in Psalm 35-38
Tomorrows reading is
There is so much good in these Psalms, I'm going with a SOAP to narrow my favorite down. Don't you feel though that the last few days of Psalm reading has been like a refreshing breeze in our bible reading? I love all the history but this has been a nice interlude.
Scripture:
27:13-14
I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Observation:
Some of you know, if you read my blog at all, that I'm getting ready to start Randy Alcorn's book "If God Is Good" as a book club reading for the summer. I think that is why this verse stood out to me. I've been thinking a lot about the hard questions regarding evil we experience here on this earth, and about how God's goodness is complete and unchanging. Seeing God's goodness here on earth is an amazing thing. It's beauty in the midst of ugliness. It's a refreshing breeze in a hot dry land of want. It's water for our thirsty souls. It is so very many things! We appreciate it because of it's contrast, sin and evil. Yet, how more glorious will the goodness of God be in the land of the living! It's beauty will no longer need the contrasting dark hues for us to appreciate it. We will see it fully, and without sinful perspectives. We hold out for that moment, we long for it and we see it way out on the horizon.
Yet, on hard days it seems far a way to the weary heart. So often in our Christian walk, God requires us to wait. When my dad, at 53 was diagnosed with a fatal cancer this poem became such a dear comfort to him. I think it's good for us all. Waiting can be beautiful for us because we are holding the stronger, more steady hand of our Heavenly Father. Yet, even more than that, we are surrendering fully and trusting Him completely letting go of everything we think we are or can be. We are emptied out of us and fall fully on Him. I hope the poem encourages you.
Wait
by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."
"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
"The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."
Application:
We have a great hope of God's goodness! It is enough for us when all else is emptied out. It will require us to wait at some point or at many points in our journey. Waiting can be a precious place when we surrender.
Prayer:
Lord, you are worth waiting for! Your goodness is all that we need and it is a promise we long for. Remind us of our hope when the world goes dark or we are suddenly disoriented from one trial or another. Be our foundation that is firm. Allow us to be okay with waiting on you. Fill us with your amazing peace when we do that results in joy. Thank you that you long for the fulfillment of your glory and that we benefit from that by the grace poured out from your Son.
Happy Mother's Day to you all!
Tomorrow's reading is in Psalm 35-38
Tomorrows reading is
Saturday, May 8, 2010
May 8th
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Psalm 22 - 26.
Here's a couple of commentaries on some of these Psalms if you're interested...
Chapter 23 - Bob Deffinbaugh, John Piper
Chapter 25 - John Piper
Scripture
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5
Observation
David is asking God to guide and teach him.
Application
The above referenced commentary by John Piper for this chapter is an excellent one and I strongly encourage you to read it.
He starts with a strong warning to Christians - that to accept Christ as Saviour and yet not as Lord (authoritative advisor) is to reject Him. Strong words of warning indeed! I think this is an easy trap to fall into. As sinners we recognize our sinfulness and see our need for a saviour, and yet, also as sinners, we still have the desire to go our own way, somehow thinking we know better than God what is best for our lives. The truth, of course, is that we do not. We need to trust God that His perfect will for our lives is the path of our greatest joy.
In this psalm, David struggles with fear (v2, 19), loneliness (v16), guilt (v7, 8, 11, 18) and confusion (v4-5), and his first response, as ours should be, is prayer. Taking our struggles to God seems like a no-brainer, and yet we often do not do it right away. At least, not beforespending wasting time worrying, stressing and just getting ourselves even more worked out and in an even deeper hole than we were to begin with. We need to let our prayers for guidance be our first response, not our last resort.
God guides us by bringing our hearts and minds into harmony or sympathy with his own heart and mind so that when we study a situation, we discern (you might even say intuit) what path would best accord with the character and purposes of God that we know from Scripture.
So what we ought to be asking when we pray, "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me," is that God would create in us a spiritual and moral conformity to himself and that he would help us see all the relevant factors that relate to the decision we're about to make. (from John Piper commentary, emphasis mine)
According to Piper the steps to knowing the will of God are...
1) Confess all known sin humbly in God's sight, relying on His commitment to His own name ("for thy name's sake")
2) Fear the Lord
3) Trust God
4) Pursue holiness, not divine messages (writing on the wall)
As we study the Bible, meditate on God and His Word, as we communicate with Him, as He reveals Himself to us, as we practice discernment, as we become more like Jesus - our decisions will become clear.
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for Your compassion and mercy, for Your forgiveness and grace. You are an awesome God, You are the Creator of all things, You are the Alpha and Omega, You are Love and Justice. Lord, we trust You. We trust that Your plan for our lives is the best one. Lord we want to know You. We want to become more like You every day. Guide us in Your truths and teach us! Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Psalm 27 - 32
Here's a couple of commentaries on some of these Psalms if you're interested...
Chapter 23 - Bob Deffinbaugh, John Piper
Chapter 25 - John Piper
Scripture
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5
Observation
David is asking God to guide and teach him.
Application
The above referenced commentary by John Piper for this chapter is an excellent one and I strongly encourage you to read it.
He starts with a strong warning to Christians - that to accept Christ as Saviour and yet not as Lord (authoritative advisor) is to reject Him. Strong words of warning indeed! I think this is an easy trap to fall into. As sinners we recognize our sinfulness and see our need for a saviour, and yet, also as sinners, we still have the desire to go our own way, somehow thinking we know better than God what is best for our lives. The truth, of course, is that we do not. We need to trust God that His perfect will for our lives is the path of our greatest joy.
In this psalm, David struggles with fear (v2, 19), loneliness (v16), guilt (v7, 8, 11, 18) and confusion (v4-5), and his first response, as ours should be, is prayer. Taking our struggles to God seems like a no-brainer, and yet we often do not do it right away. At least, not before
God guides us by bringing our hearts and minds into harmony or sympathy with his own heart and mind so that when we study a situation, we discern (you might even say intuit) what path would best accord with the character and purposes of God that we know from Scripture.
So what we ought to be asking when we pray, "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me," is that God would create in us a spiritual and moral conformity to himself and that he would help us see all the relevant factors that relate to the decision we're about to make. (from John Piper commentary, emphasis mine)
According to Piper the steps to knowing the will of God are...
1) Confess all known sin humbly in God's sight, relying on His commitment to His own name ("for thy name's sake")
2) Fear the Lord
3) Trust God
4) Pursue holiness, not divine messages (writing on the wall)
As we study the Bible, meditate on God and His Word, as we communicate with Him, as He reveals Himself to us, as we practice discernment, as we become more like Jesus - our decisions will become clear.
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for Your compassion and mercy, for Your forgiveness and grace. You are an awesome God, You are the Creator of all things, You are the Alpha and Omega, You are Love and Justice. Lord, we trust You. We trust that Your plan for our lives is the best one. Lord we want to know You. We want to become more like You every day. Guide us in Your truths and teach us! Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Psalm 27 - 32
Friday, May 7, 2010
May 7 ~ tammi
Today's passages from the One-Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan are Psalm 12-17 and 19-21.
Summary and thorough explanation of each and every Psalm would make this post entirely too long (if I was even in any way an exegete, which I am not!), but I wanted to draw your attention to Psalm 19, which has become a favourite of mine over the last couple of years.
I guess because so many times when I'm out walking on my mile road admiring my surroundings (even in the dead of winter!), I find myself so often asking, "How can people think there is no God?" I think that's what David's talking about in the first 6 verses.
Hampton Keathley IV says, in his examination of this passage, "Notice how... this is present tense for us. Special revelation, Scripture, has ceased, but the natural revelation continues. We can receive natural revelation fresh, daily." How great is that?! This totally explains how I can feel like God made today's spectacular sunrise or arranged the clouds and the colours of sky just right at sunset ALL FOR ME, even though I know there are potentially thousands of people right here in my little valley feeling exactly the same way! God is so great!
Then David suddenly switches gears and starts talking about God's law and it seems like a complete change of subject. He spends 6 verses talking about the marvels of creation and how they reflect God's glory, only two verses on the law of God, and then the next four verses are the response to God's law. Why, if there are only two verses about God's special revelation, is David's response to this rather than the six verses prior where he talked about God's natural revelation?
Keathley explains there's good reason for this: "I think that is because natural revelation is designed to bring you to the recognition of the need for special revelation. Special revelation is more important. It is where our focus should be. We should look at the rest of the world through the lens of Scripture.
David recognizes that God's word is good for him. It is more desirable than gold because gold does not satisfy. You always think you need a little more. But through Scripture we can know God and have relationship with Him and that does satisfy."
So what are the reasons we should use Scripture, God's special revelation to us, as a filter for viewing everything in our lives? Because it warns us ~ of our inherent evil, of the coming condemnation and destination if we remain apart from God, of specific temptations and sins, of our obligations as followers of Christ.
And because obeying Scripture brings great reward. There is peace in obedience ~ no guilty conscience. There is benefit to your soul. There is increased knowledge, wisdom, and discernment. And there is reward in heaven.
David ends this Psalm with a request that God acquit him of his hidden faults ~ the sins he didn't realize he'd committed ~ and to be kept from presumptious sins, those he knew full well were sins even though no one saw them or were even affected by them.
So there are three main points this Psalm seems to be making are:
Summary and thorough explanation of each and every Psalm would make this post entirely too long (if I was even in any way an exegete, which I am not!), but I wanted to draw your attention to Psalm 19, which has become a favourite of mine over the last couple of years.
I guess because so many times when I'm out walking on my mile road admiring my surroundings (even in the dead of winter!), I find myself so often asking, "How can people think there is no God?" I think that's what David's talking about in the first 6 verses.
Hampton Keathley IV says, in his examination of this passage, "Notice how... this is present tense for us. Special revelation, Scripture, has ceased, but the natural revelation continues. We can receive natural revelation fresh, daily." How great is that?! This totally explains how I can feel like God made today's spectacular sunrise or arranged the clouds and the colours of sky just right at sunset ALL FOR ME, even though I know there are potentially thousands of people right here in my little valley feeling exactly the same way! God is so great!
Then David suddenly switches gears and starts talking about God's law and it seems like a complete change of subject. He spends 6 verses talking about the marvels of creation and how they reflect God's glory, only two verses on the law of God, and then the next four verses are the response to God's law. Why, if there are only two verses about God's special revelation, is David's response to this rather than the six verses prior where he talked about God's natural revelation?
Keathley explains there's good reason for this: "I think that is because natural revelation is designed to bring you to the recognition of the need for special revelation. Special revelation is more important. It is where our focus should be. We should look at the rest of the world through the lens of Scripture.
David recognizes that God's word is good for him. It is more desirable than gold because gold does not satisfy. You always think you need a little more. But through Scripture we can know God and have relationship with Him and that does satisfy."
So what are the reasons we should use Scripture, God's special revelation to us, as a filter for viewing everything in our lives? Because it warns us ~ of our inherent evil, of the coming condemnation and destination if we remain apart from God, of specific temptations and sins, of our obligations as followers of Christ.
And because obeying Scripture brings great reward. There is peace in obedience ~ no guilty conscience. There is benefit to your soul. There is increased knowledge, wisdom, and discernment. And there is reward in heaven.
David ends this Psalm with a request that God acquit him of his hidden faults ~ the sins he didn't realize he'd committed ~ and to be kept from presumptious sins, those he knew full well were sins even though no one saw them or were even affected by them.
So there are three main points this Psalm seems to be making are:
- That appreciation for God's creation should lead us to praise Him;
- That we can learn truth outside of Scripture through observation of creation, but that we must constantly be filtering everything we take in through the lens of God's Holy Word;
- And that Scripture reveals our weaknesses and God's glory, which should contantly prompt both praise and petition.
What are we seeing in our surroundings today? How are we looking at it and what is our response?
Tomorrow's passages: Psalm 22-26
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May 6th
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is 1 Kings 2:1-9, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, 1 Kings 2:10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:26-30, Psalm 4-6, Psalm 8-9, Psalm 11
So much good reading today after all the misery of the past few days what with all the turmoil and coups and such.
So many different passages to pick from to focus on but I'd like to focus on one simple, yet difficult, instruction....
Scripture
In your anger do not sin. Psalm 4:4a
This verse is echoed in the NT as well.
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27.
Observation
The emotion of anger is not necessarily a sin, but we need to be careful not to allow our response or reaction to anger to be expressed in a sinful manner.
Application
Anger itself is not necessarily sinful (though if we have a quick temper it is a good idea to figure out if there are underlying issues that need to be resolved, and to work at improving that).
But it is far easier said than done to not sin in our anger.
Anger is such a powerful emotion. Anger can often be a result of being hurt by someone else, in which case our human tendency is to strike back and hurt the offender even more. We can strike back physically or emotionally/verbally. Sometimes we think that as long as we're not striking back physically that we're doing ok. But we all know that the saying "stick and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me" is baloney. Words hurt. Deeply.
The tongue is hard to tame and it's effects are long lasting. There are numerous verses in the Bible dealing with this.....
I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin. Psalm 39:1a
They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows. Psalm 64:3
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. Proverbs 11:12
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:5-12
Righteous anger can actually be beneficial, if we harness it in the right direction - like Jesus did when He cleared out the temple which was being used as a market instead of the holy place that it was (John 2-12).
So, let us be mindful not to sin in our anger and to harness our righteous anger appropriately to produce godly change.
Prayer
Lord, I know that I am quick to anger and often quick to retaliate hurt with hurt. Help me to guard my tongue and not to sin in my anger.
Thank you for the emotion of anger that rises in us when we bear witness to wrongdoing. Help us to harness that righteous anger to produce the change that You would desire. Help us to keep Your glory in mind and not our own agenda.
Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Psalm 12-17, Psalm 19-21
So much good reading today after all the misery of the past few days what with all the turmoil and coups and such.
So many different passages to pick from to focus on but I'd like to focus on one simple, yet difficult, instruction....
Scripture
In your anger do not sin. Psalm 4:4a
This verse is echoed in the NT as well.
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27.
Observation
The emotion of anger is not necessarily a sin, but we need to be careful not to allow our response or reaction to anger to be expressed in a sinful manner.
Application
Anger itself is not necessarily sinful (though if we have a quick temper it is a good idea to figure out if there are underlying issues that need to be resolved, and to work at improving that).
But it is far easier said than done to not sin in our anger.
Anger is such a powerful emotion. Anger can often be a result of being hurt by someone else, in which case our human tendency is to strike back and hurt the offender even more. We can strike back physically or emotionally/verbally. Sometimes we think that as long as we're not striking back physically that we're doing ok. But we all know that the saying "stick and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me" is baloney. Words hurt. Deeply.
The tongue is hard to tame and it's effects are long lasting. There are numerous verses in the Bible dealing with this.....
I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin. Psalm 39:1a
They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows. Psalm 64:3
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. Proverbs 11:12
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:5-12
Righteous anger can actually be beneficial, if we harness it in the right direction - like Jesus did when He cleared out the temple which was being used as a market instead of the holy place that it was (John 2-12).So, let us be mindful not to sin in our anger and to harness our righteous anger appropriately to produce godly change.
Prayer
Lord, I know that I am quick to anger and often quick to retaliate hurt with hurt. Help me to guard my tongue and not to sin in my anger.
Thank you for the emotion of anger that rises in us when we bear witness to wrongdoing. Help us to harness that righteous anger to produce the change that You would desire. Help us to keep Your glory in mind and not our own agenda.
Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Psalm 12-17, Psalm 19-21
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May 5th
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 29:1-22 and 1 Kings 1
Click here to read a commentary on 1 Kings 1.
There's definitely a difference between 1 Chronicles and 1 Kings in the retelling of this story. The first passage simply states that Solomon took the throne after David, but 1 Kings supplies us with way more details and we see that this was by far a smooth transition.
David did not pass the kingship on to Solomon when he should have. David was getting old and frail and should have publicly crowned Solomon king. But he didn't. Likely partly due to pride, partly simply not wanting to give up being king, partly maybe because he thought Solomon was too young and inexperienced. Whatever his reason, this gave Adonijah just the opening he needed to stage a coup - even pulling Joab, David's longtime military leader, and Abiathar the priest to his side!
Thankfully Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan rouse the frail King into action and he crowns Solomon king and ends the coup in the nick of time.
Once again - God's purpose prevails! At the start of the chapter it doesn't look like Solomon could possibly become king. It looks like Adonijah will succeed in his coup and have Solomon and Bathsheba killed (this all sounds like a movie doesn't it?!). But God intervenes and His will is done.
Solomon demonstrates the beginnings of the wisdom for which he will become famous, showing great strength of character by extending mercy to Adonijah, while at the same time demanding his loyalty. After all, forgiveness doesn't mean you trust the person again.
We need to learn from David's mistake. We need to trust God's timing and not our own. We need to be ready and willing to pass the torch. We cannot allow pride or anything else, to get in the way of sound judgement.
And we can learn from Solomon's example. We need to be willing to extend mercy to those around us. Easier said than done, I know.
Looking forward to getting into the Psalms!
Tomorrow's passage: 1 Kings 2:1-9, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, 1 Kings 2:10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:26-30, Psalm 4-6, Psalm 8-9, Psalm 11
Click here to read a commentary on 1 Kings 1.
There's definitely a difference between 1 Chronicles and 1 Kings in the retelling of this story. The first passage simply states that Solomon took the throne after David, but 1 Kings supplies us with way more details and we see that this was by far a smooth transition.
David did not pass the kingship on to Solomon when he should have. David was getting old and frail and should have publicly crowned Solomon king. But he didn't. Likely partly due to pride, partly simply not wanting to give up being king, partly maybe because he thought Solomon was too young and inexperienced. Whatever his reason, this gave Adonijah just the opening he needed to stage a coup - even pulling Joab, David's longtime military leader, and Abiathar the priest to his side!
Thankfully Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan rouse the frail King into action and he crowns Solomon king and ends the coup in the nick of time.
Once again - God's purpose prevails! At the start of the chapter it doesn't look like Solomon could possibly become king. It looks like Adonijah will succeed in his coup and have Solomon and Bathsheba killed (this all sounds like a movie doesn't it?!). But God intervenes and His will is done.
Solomon demonstrates the beginnings of the wisdom for which he will become famous, showing great strength of character by extending mercy to Adonijah, while at the same time demanding his loyalty. After all, forgiveness doesn't mean you trust the person again.
We need to learn from David's mistake. We need to trust God's timing and not our own. We need to be ready and willing to pass the torch. We cannot allow pride or anything else, to get in the way of sound judgement.
And we can learn from Solomon's example. We need to be willing to extend mercy to those around us. Easier said than done, I know.
Looking forward to getting into the Psalms!
Tomorrow's passage: 1 Kings 2:1-9, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, 1 Kings 2:10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:26-30, Psalm 4-6, Psalm 8-9, Psalm 11
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tuesday, May 4 - Miriam
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 26-28.
An introduction to the History books in the Old Testament calls 1 Chronicles 28 David's last instructions to the people and to Solomon. The Lord had instructed King David that Solomon would be king after him and Solomon would be the one to build his temple, although he gave the instructions on the actual building to King David as well ("the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind" from chapter 28:12).
The verses that stood out most to me were King David's words to his son Solomon.
Scripture:
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work." 1 Chronicles 28:9-10
Observation:
God sees our hearts. He knows our motivations. This was something important that King Saul failed to remember. It's not only what we do that matters, but the spirit in which we do it.
Application:
We're going to screw up. This is inevitable. But if we seek God, we shall find him, and if we are wholeheartedly devoted and willing - willing to follow God, willing to accept God's plan rather than our own, willing to love and serve as we are called, willing to try again when we fail - I believe that God gives us "marks for showing our work", so to speak, and he will perfect the end result. "Be strong and do the work." That might be my new favourite verse. But also, do the work not just to get it done, but with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind.
Sometimes it feels like being on maternity leave - looking after the kids, preparing meals, cleaning, doing laundry, etc. and so on - is relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things. After all, when it comes to serving God, I'm not a missionary, or a minister, or a Bible study leader, or a Sunday School teacher. On a less Biblical but still important list of occupations, I don't teach school, I'm not a doctor, or a nurse, or an environmentalist, etc. In fact, some might say I'm an underachiever. In another year, I will be the only one of four children who doesn't have a university degree. My contributions will be seen by some as being small compared to those of others, but to my husband, my children, the children I will be caring for while their parents are at work, the women in my Bible study, and people I come in contact with in my community, at least, I can be of service. So I'm going to be strong and do the work, and God will use my efforts, even things that seem unimportant, as a part of his all-encompassing, perfect plan.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your Word and everything you have been teaching us as we're studying it together. Thank you for the gifts you've given to each one of us. We pray that you would reveal your will for each of us and give us the desire and the strength to follow it. We know that you see and hear not only our actions and our prayers, but our hearts and our motivations as well. Help us to remember that even the small, seemingly unimportant things of our everyday lives are still setting an example to those around us, especially the attitude in which we do it and not just the action itself. Help us to be strong and do the work, and help us also to trust that you will coordinate all these things as parts of your perfect plan. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Tomorrow's reading is 1 Chronicles 29:1-22 and 1 Kings 1.
An introduction to the History books in the Old Testament calls 1 Chronicles 28 David's last instructions to the people and to Solomon. The Lord had instructed King David that Solomon would be king after him and Solomon would be the one to build his temple, although he gave the instructions on the actual building to King David as well ("the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind" from chapter 28:12).
The verses that stood out most to me were King David's words to his son Solomon.
Scripture:
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work." 1 Chronicles 28:9-10
Observation:
God sees our hearts. He knows our motivations. This was something important that King Saul failed to remember. It's not only what we do that matters, but the spirit in which we do it.
Application:
We're going to screw up. This is inevitable. But if we seek God, we shall find him, and if we are wholeheartedly devoted and willing - willing to follow God, willing to accept God's plan rather than our own, willing to love and serve as we are called, willing to try again when we fail - I believe that God gives us "marks for showing our work", so to speak, and he will perfect the end result. "Be strong and do the work." That might be my new favourite verse. But also, do the work not just to get it done, but with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind.
Sometimes it feels like being on maternity leave - looking after the kids, preparing meals, cleaning, doing laundry, etc. and so on - is relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things. After all, when it comes to serving God, I'm not a missionary, or a minister, or a Bible study leader, or a Sunday School teacher. On a less Biblical but still important list of occupations, I don't teach school, I'm not a doctor, or a nurse, or an environmentalist, etc. In fact, some might say I'm an underachiever. In another year, I will be the only one of four children who doesn't have a university degree. My contributions will be seen by some as being small compared to those of others, but to my husband, my children, the children I will be caring for while their parents are at work, the women in my Bible study, and people I come in contact with in my community, at least, I can be of service. So I'm going to be strong and do the work, and God will use my efforts, even things that seem unimportant, as a part of his all-encompassing, perfect plan.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your Word and everything you have been teaching us as we're studying it together. Thank you for the gifts you've given to each one of us. We pray that you would reveal your will for each of us and give us the desire and the strength to follow it. We know that you see and hear not only our actions and our prayers, but our hearts and our motivations as well. Help us to remember that even the small, seemingly unimportant things of our everyday lives are still setting an example to those around us, especially the attitude in which we do it and not just the action itself. Help us to be strong and do the work, and help us also to trust that you will coordinate all these things as parts of your perfect plan. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Tomorrow's reading is 1 Chronicles 29:1-22 and 1 Kings 1.
Monday, May 3, 2010
May 3rd
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 23:1-25:31
This passage reminds me, once again, that our God is a God of order, not chaos.
From my Life Application Study Bible...
The temple servcie was highly structured, but this did not hinder the Spirit of God. Rather, it provided an orderly context for worship. (Compare 1 Corinthians 14:40) sometimes we feel that planning and structure are unspiritual activities that may hinder spontaneity in worship. But order and structure can free us to respond to God. Order brings glory to God as we experience the joy, freedom, and calm that comes when we have wisely prepared in advance.
I find this to be true of life in general. When I am organized and things are planned and running smoothly - not only do I enjoy the day more, but I am more prepared to be spontaneous! It sounds like it should be an oxymoron, but it's actually true.
And worship is no different. When things are organized - both by structurally preparing for the service, and by preparing our hearts spiritually for worship - it gives room for the Spirit to move. The less clutter you have to deal with the better!
Tomorrow's passage: 1 Chronicles 26-28
This passage reminds me, once again, that our God is a God of order, not chaos.
From my Life Application Study Bible...
The temple servcie was highly structured, but this did not hinder the Spirit of God. Rather, it provided an orderly context for worship. (Compare 1 Corinthians 14:40) sometimes we feel that planning and structure are unspiritual activities that may hinder spontaneity in worship. But order and structure can free us to respond to God. Order brings glory to God as we experience the joy, freedom, and calm that comes when we have wisely prepared in advance.
I find this to be true of life in general. When I am organized and things are planned and running smoothly - not only do I enjoy the day more, but I am more prepared to be spontaneous! It sounds like it should be an oxymoron, but it's actually true.
And worship is no different. When things are organized - both by structurally preparing for the service, and by preparing our hearts spiritually for worship - it gives room for the Spirit to move. The less clutter you have to deal with the better!
Tomorrow's passage: 1 Chronicles 26-28
Sunday, May 2, 2010
May 2nd
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21:1-6; 2 Samuel 24:10-17; 1 Chronicles 21:7-17; 2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19
Click here to read a commentary on this passage.
Today's passage deals mainly with David's sinful decision to conduct a census of his fighting men. The reason this was a sin was because of the motive behind it. He was taking pride in and trusting in his military might instead of in God.
God gave David a way out of this temptation through the counsel of Joab. Joab is not a godly man, yet this is the 2nd time he has given David excellent advice.
The first time, Joab told David to quit his public mourning of Absalom and get out there and commend his troops for their victory - and David listened to Joab's counsel.
This time, however, David does not listen.
This reminds me of the NT verse....
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
This verse is often misquoted, when people say God never gives us more than we can handle. Frankly, He gives us more than we can handle all the time! Our weakness is made perfect in His strength. If we never needed His help, we would never learn to rely on Him and recognize that all we are, all we have, all we are able to achieve, is thanks to His goodness and grace.
God does give us more than we can handle on our own, but he will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. Two very different things.
But the promise is an amazing one. God always gives us a way out of temptation. There will always be some way to make the right choice. And it may come where we least expect it. God can use anything or anyone to accomplish His purposes.
He used Joab, an unrighteous man, to give David a way out. One time David took it, and another time he let his pride get in the way and he gave in to the temptation.
But the promise prevails - God is always with us and though we are most often not able to resist the temptation on our own, if we rely on God and look for the way out He has promised to provide, we will be able to stand up under it!
Let us not forget His promise.
Tomorrow's passage: 1 Chronicles 23:1-25:31
Click here to read a commentary on this passage.
Today's passage deals mainly with David's sinful decision to conduct a census of his fighting men. The reason this was a sin was because of the motive behind it. He was taking pride in and trusting in his military might instead of in God.
God gave David a way out of this temptation through the counsel of Joab. Joab is not a godly man, yet this is the 2nd time he has given David excellent advice.
The first time, Joab told David to quit his public mourning of Absalom and get out there and commend his troops for their victory - and David listened to Joab's counsel.
This time, however, David does not listen.
This reminds me of the NT verse....
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
This verse is often misquoted, when people say God never gives us more than we can handle. Frankly, He gives us more than we can handle all the time! Our weakness is made perfect in His strength. If we never needed His help, we would never learn to rely on Him and recognize that all we are, all we have, all we are able to achieve, is thanks to His goodness and grace.
God does give us more than we can handle on our own, but he will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. Two very different things.
But the promise is an amazing one. God always gives us a way out of temptation. There will always be some way to make the right choice. And it may come where we least expect it. God can use anything or anyone to accomplish His purposes.
He used Joab, an unrighteous man, to give David a way out. One time David took it, and another time he let his pride get in the way and he gave in to the temptation.
But the promise prevails - God is always with us and though we are most often not able to resist the temptation on our own, if we rely on God and look for the way out He has promised to provide, we will be able to stand up under it!
Let us not forget His promise.
Tomorrow's passage: 1 Chronicles 23:1-25:31
Saturday, May 1, 2010
May 1-Guest Post by Pamela
Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 22, Psalm 18.
Scripture:
2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 18:30
As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
Observation:
We have a choice to try it on our own or to choose to sheltered by God.
Application:
These passages are so beautiful and such a declaration of devotion. This passage stood out for me because (again!) I am reminded by God that He is in control. It says "His way is perfect". Perfect. Not good. Not alright. No even exceptional. Perfect. This commentary elaborates on the word perfect:
"Perfect — His providence, though it may sometimes be dark, yet is always wise and just, and unblameable."
I am sure that there were times that David must have at least questioned about God's way being perfect. Running for his life must not have been fun or enjoyable and yet he chose to "take refuge in Him" and that was enough. David had confidence that "the word of the LORD is flawless" and he placed his trust in God despite everything he was facing. He made that decision.
This commentary adds, "No matter how great or many the dangers may be, yet God's promise must take effect."
How true. How very different the story would be if David would have not chosen to take refuge in God. Think about it for a minute.
If God is like a shield, what would it be like to enter a battle without Him? God is always there, waiting for us to take refuge in Him, and yet so often we choose to try to do it on our own.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your way is truly is perfect and your word flawless. How else would I be able to feel Your nudging as a read through the passage I am assigned for this study. You already know what it is that I need to hear and I thank you for your infinite wisdom. Lord, you never promised that life would be easy but you did promise that You would be there for us to take refuge in. Thank you. I struggle so much with trusting you to do things in your time and yet you have never let me down. I pray that you will continue to use the situations in my life to draw my closer to you. I want to take refuge in you. I pray for everyone following along with this study and give them the desire to choose You as their shield of protection. I lift up Tammy and thank your for giving her the desire to start and keep up this blog to inspire others to grow in their faith and trust in You. Amen.
Tomorrow's Readings are 2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21:1-6; 2 Samuel 24:10-17; 1 Chronicles 21:7-17; 2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19
Scripture:
2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 18:30
As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
Observation:
We have a choice to try it on our own or to choose to sheltered by God.
Application:
These passages are so beautiful and such a declaration of devotion. This passage stood out for me because (again!) I am reminded by God that He is in control. It says "His way is perfect". Perfect. Not good. Not alright. No even exceptional. Perfect. This commentary elaborates on the word perfect:
"Perfect — His providence, though it may sometimes be dark, yet is always wise and just, and unblameable."
I am sure that there were times that David must have at least questioned about God's way being perfect. Running for his life must not have been fun or enjoyable and yet he chose to "take refuge in Him" and that was enough. David had confidence that "the word of the LORD is flawless" and he placed his trust in God despite everything he was facing. He made that decision.
This commentary adds, "No matter how great or many the dangers may be, yet God's promise must take effect."
How true. How very different the story would be if David would have not chosen to take refuge in God. Think about it for a minute.
If God is like a shield, what would it be like to enter a battle without Him? God is always there, waiting for us to take refuge in Him, and yet so often we choose to try to do it on our own.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your way is truly is perfect and your word flawless. How else would I be able to feel Your nudging as a read through the passage I am assigned for this study. You already know what it is that I need to hear and I thank you for your infinite wisdom. Lord, you never promised that life would be easy but you did promise that You would be there for us to take refuge in. Thank you. I struggle so much with trusting you to do things in your time and yet you have never let me down. I pray that you will continue to use the situations in my life to draw my closer to you. I want to take refuge in you. I pray for everyone following along with this study and give them the desire to choose You as their shield of protection. I lift up Tammy and thank your for giving her the desire to start and keep up this blog to inspire others to grow in their faith and trust in You. Amen.
Tomorrow's Readings are 2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21:1-6; 2 Samuel 24:10-17; 1 Chronicles 21:7-17; 2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19
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