Today's Reading: Psalm 39, Genesis 36, 2 Chronicles 13, Acts 6:8‐7:60
Psalm 39 - Our lives are truly a mist. We are here for a little while, and then are gone. The psalmist reflects that truth in Psalm 39. This is another prayer of confession. He has sinned, and recognizes that his only hope in this life is the Lord.
I found verses 1-3 to be insightful. Not wanting to speak poorly about the Lord, David guarded his tongue in the presence of the wicked. Perhaps he was being goaded on by wicked people about the situation where he found himself. Perhaps it was something else, but he did not want to sin with his tongue.
In the end, he ends up speaking, worship and prayer to the Lord.
Genesis 36 - Isaac told his son Esau that he would be the father of a great nation. While Jacob was given the birthright and the blessing, Esau was blessed. This chapter details the line of Esau. His family would include many chiefs and kings. A note in my study Bible says that these kings probably ruled different cities. Even though they are listed in succession, they many probably ruled dynasties at the same time.
2 Chronicles 13 - The beginning of the reign of Abijah is chronicled in this chapter. Like his father, Rehoboam, Abijah was not wholly true to the Lord. He allowed for idolatrous worship. But, this chapter is clear to point out that the priests who were in the temple at Jerusalem were faithful to God. The chapter is a good reminder that we must be faithful to the Lord even when our leaders are not. The priests represented the remnant that was faithful to God in those days.
Acts 6:8‐7:60 - The story of the first Christian martyr, Stephen is an interesting one.
Stephen was being used greatly by God, as demonstrated in Acts 6:8. I believe that all of hell took notice at how God was using Stephen, and that Satan wanted to scare the believers by taking Stephen's life. Seized and arrested, Stephen does not go quietly. Instead, he preaches one of the most insightful sermons ever. He paints a panoramic picture of the history of the nation of Israel's relationship with Jehovah, ending with charges that the people had grown stiff-necked and crucified the Messiah.
When Stephen is stoned to death, he echoes the words of Christ from the cross; showing that he loved those who persecuted him.
Stephen's death did not dissuade the growth of the church. Satan's plan to persecute the church may have resulted in great difficulty for the believers, but it had the opposite effect when it came to church growth. The church flourished.
If you look around the world today, the church flourishes in areas where persecution exists. Our American church has been shrinking both in size and impact. Maybe some of that is because it is too easy to be a "Christian" in America today. I wonder how many of us would continue to stand for Christ if the heat were turned up.
The Bible tells us in multiple places that we will face persecution if we walk with Christ. May we pass the test and stand up for Him no matter the situation!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Monday, February 08, 2010
Notes from my Bible Study for February 8, 2010
Today's Reading: Psalm 38, Genesis 35, 2 Chronicles 12, Acts 4:32‐6:7
Psalm 38 - Have you ever sinned and felt the impact of the sin so heavily in your heart that you cried out to God in your anguish? That is what was happening in Psalm 38. David had sinned in a significant way, and he was feeling the consequences of that sin. This is a psalm of confession. David asks God to forgive him. He acknowledges the terrible state that he is in, and recognizes that God alone is his hope.
When we sin, we need to confess it to God and recognize that our hope is in the Lord.
Genesis 35 - In this important chapter, we see the relationship between God and Jacob strengthened. Jacob commands his family to put away their false gods and worship only Jehovah. In verse three Jacob comes to recognize that it is God who had answered him in his day of distress and been with him wherever he had gone.
Isn't that the way so many of us work? God has been there all along, but we have to learn the hard way. I'm glad we have a God who pursues us even when we run the other way.
The chapter ends with the death of Rachel and Isaac.
2 Chronicles 12 - The up and down relationship that Rehoboam had with the Lord is demonstrated again in this chapter. As the chapter begins, Rehoboam abandons the law of God and so does Israel. It is amazing the power that a leader has over people's actions. The children of Israel should not have abandoned God, just because their king did. But, they did. And, God's wrath came upon Israel.
The beautiful temple that Solomon built was looted, and all of the treasures stolen. The shields of gold were replaced with shields of bronze.
Isn't that how it can be when we turn our backs on God? We substitute the best for a cheap imitation, and it can't compare. No one compares with our God. There is no other who offers redemption, grace, and the power to transform lives such as Christ.
Acts 4:32-6:7 - These were exciting days for the early church. The believers understood what it meant to live in community with each other. I love the way that they sought to meet each other's needs. Can you imagine what a church that didn't have a needy person among them might look like? This church cared about making sure that no one went without.
The story of Ananias and Sapphira shows how serious God was that the early church understand the holiness of God, and the importance of His bride. The deceit of these two came because they wanted to look good to others around them, even if it meant doing so in a dishonest way.
I love the passion with which the apostles preached the Gospel, even after an arrest. Nothing was going to stop them from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
I've never been arrested for sharing my faith, and yet I don't do it nearly enough. We, who have been given the freedom of living in the United States, should look for every opportunity possible to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have the greatest message ever. The early church was known for what they were for, not what they were against. Let's start being known for Jesus again! Let's share the whole truth about who Christ Jesus is! He is the hope for this world.
Psalm 38 - Have you ever sinned and felt the impact of the sin so heavily in your heart that you cried out to God in your anguish? That is what was happening in Psalm 38. David had sinned in a significant way, and he was feeling the consequences of that sin. This is a psalm of confession. David asks God to forgive him. He acknowledges the terrible state that he is in, and recognizes that God alone is his hope.
When we sin, we need to confess it to God and recognize that our hope is in the Lord.
Genesis 35 - In this important chapter, we see the relationship between God and Jacob strengthened. Jacob commands his family to put away their false gods and worship only Jehovah. In verse three Jacob comes to recognize that it is God who had answered him in his day of distress and been with him wherever he had gone.
Isn't that the way so many of us work? God has been there all along, but we have to learn the hard way. I'm glad we have a God who pursues us even when we run the other way.
The chapter ends with the death of Rachel and Isaac.
2 Chronicles 12 - The up and down relationship that Rehoboam had with the Lord is demonstrated again in this chapter. As the chapter begins, Rehoboam abandons the law of God and so does Israel. It is amazing the power that a leader has over people's actions. The children of Israel should not have abandoned God, just because their king did. But, they did. And, God's wrath came upon Israel.
The beautiful temple that Solomon built was looted, and all of the treasures stolen. The shields of gold were replaced with shields of bronze.
Isn't that how it can be when we turn our backs on God? We substitute the best for a cheap imitation, and it can't compare. No one compares with our God. There is no other who offers redemption, grace, and the power to transform lives such as Christ.
Acts 4:32-6:7 - These were exciting days for the early church. The believers understood what it meant to live in community with each other. I love the way that they sought to meet each other's needs. Can you imagine what a church that didn't have a needy person among them might look like? This church cared about making sure that no one went without.
The story of Ananias and Sapphira shows how serious God was that the early church understand the holiness of God, and the importance of His bride. The deceit of these two came because they wanted to look good to others around them, even if it meant doing so in a dishonest way.
I love the passion with which the apostles preached the Gospel, even after an arrest. Nothing was going to stop them from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
I've never been arrested for sharing my faith, and yet I don't do it nearly enough. We, who have been given the freedom of living in the United States, should look for every opportunity possible to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have the greatest message ever. The early church was known for what they were for, not what they were against. Let's start being known for Jesus again! Let's share the whole truth about who Christ Jesus is! He is the hope for this world.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Notes from my Bible Study for February 7, 2010
Today's Reading: Psalm 37, Genesis 34, 2 Chronicles 11, Acts 3:1‐4:31
Psalm 37 - Psalm 37 is a song that speaks of the faithfulness of God towards his children.
There are few verses that spoke powerfully to me. The first is verse four, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
I wonder if we truly delight ourselves in the LORD. Over the past few weeks, I've been thinking about the irreducible core of the Christian life an awful lot. That irreducible core is to love God, love others, and make disciples as we go. We won't get the rest of the Christian life right if we don't first delight ourselves in God. Is God our all consuming passion, or a cosmic genie in the sky?
I was also blessed by verses 23-26, which say: "23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,when he delights in his way;24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.26 He is ever lending generously,and his children become a blessing."
The Lord has taken care of my family in more ways that I can count. These verses resonate with me. They reflect the God that I know. I praise Him for His faithfulness today!
Genesis 34 - Here we read a sad chapter from Israel's history. Dinah, the daughter of Jacob had been raped by a man named Shechem. When her brothers found out this news, they were determined to take things into their own hands. They wanted vengeance on the man who did such things to their sister and to his entire family.
In the end, Simeon and Levi kill all of Shechem's male relatives. They take the plunder, (wives, children, land, etc. for themselves).
Jacob is not pleased by this impulsive revenge; worried that others will now take vengeance on his own family.
2 Chronicles 11 - 2 Chronicles 11 tells the story of Rehoboam's reign over the kingdom of Judah. The man who started his reign poorly seemed to redeem himself in the end. Remember yesterday's reading says that he surrounded himself with peers for advisers, and ignored the advice of the elders who had reigned with his father, Solomon. That got him into deep trouble, and divided the kingdom of Israel into two the nation of Judah and the nation of Israel.
I'm glad that we can change our minds when we have made poor choices. How good to read of Rehoboam's revival by the end of 2 Chronicles 11.
Acts 3:1-4:31 - There is something so amazing about seeing a person wholeheartedly following Jesus Christ. Peter and John were men like that. In this passage of Scipture we see Peter and John heal a man who had been lame from birth with just these words, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
I guarantee you that the lame man was more excited about walking than he would have been about any amount of money that Peter and John could have offered him.
By the end of the day, Peter and John were arrested. Their crime? Proclaiming the powerful name of Jesus.
That did not deter Peter and John. They used their new platform to continue to be a witness for Christ.
The people took notice of the boldness of Peter and John. Look at verse 13, "13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."
May the same be said of us! Have you been with Jesus? If so, your life will reflect it. Keep working through the Challenge and let Christ shape you!
Psalm 37 - Psalm 37 is a song that speaks of the faithfulness of God towards his children.
There are few verses that spoke powerfully to me. The first is verse four, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
I wonder if we truly delight ourselves in the LORD. Over the past few weeks, I've been thinking about the irreducible core of the Christian life an awful lot. That irreducible core is to love God, love others, and make disciples as we go. We won't get the rest of the Christian life right if we don't first delight ourselves in God. Is God our all consuming passion, or a cosmic genie in the sky?
I was also blessed by verses 23-26, which say: "23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,when he delights in his way;24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.26 He is ever lending generously,and his children become a blessing."
The Lord has taken care of my family in more ways that I can count. These verses resonate with me. They reflect the God that I know. I praise Him for His faithfulness today!
Genesis 34 - Here we read a sad chapter from Israel's history. Dinah, the daughter of Jacob had been raped by a man named Shechem. When her brothers found out this news, they were determined to take things into their own hands. They wanted vengeance on the man who did such things to their sister and to his entire family.
In the end, Simeon and Levi kill all of Shechem's male relatives. They take the plunder, (wives, children, land, etc. for themselves).
Jacob is not pleased by this impulsive revenge; worried that others will now take vengeance on his own family.
2 Chronicles 11 - 2 Chronicles 11 tells the story of Rehoboam's reign over the kingdom of Judah. The man who started his reign poorly seemed to redeem himself in the end. Remember yesterday's reading says that he surrounded himself with peers for advisers, and ignored the advice of the elders who had reigned with his father, Solomon. That got him into deep trouble, and divided the kingdom of Israel into two the nation of Judah and the nation of Israel.
I'm glad that we can change our minds when we have made poor choices. How good to read of Rehoboam's revival by the end of 2 Chronicles 11.
Acts 3:1-4:31 - There is something so amazing about seeing a person wholeheartedly following Jesus Christ. Peter and John were men like that. In this passage of Scipture we see Peter and John heal a man who had been lame from birth with just these words, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
I guarantee you that the lame man was more excited about walking than he would have been about any amount of money that Peter and John could have offered him.
By the end of the day, Peter and John were arrested. Their crime? Proclaiming the powerful name of Jesus.
That did not deter Peter and John. They used their new platform to continue to be a witness for Christ.
The people took notice of the boldness of Peter and John. Look at verse 13, "13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."
May the same be said of us! Have you been with Jesus? If so, your life will reflect it. Keep working through the Challenge and let Christ shape you!
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Notes from my Bible Study for February 6, 2010
Today's Reading: Psalm 36, Genesis 33, 2 Chronicles 10, Acts 2
Psalm 36 - King David wrote some pretty scary words in Psalm 36:1-4, the scariest of which are, "there is no fear of God before his eyes."
He was speaking about the wicked. To live one's life with no fear of the Lord is a certain path to destruction. It may not happen in this life, but it surely will in the hereafter.
Remember, in Psalm 14:1, David told us that it was the fool who says in his heart that there is no God. The wicked person has not only said such thing in his heart, but has acted upon that belief with callous disregard for the Lord.
May you live your life with a constant awareness and holy reverence for the Lord.
Genesis 33 - What a beautiful story of redemption! Esau had every reason to hold bitterness towards his brother, Jacob. But, God had blessed Esau. When Esau saw Jacob, he chose to run towards him with unabashed love. A note in my Bible described this run as the run of the father in Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son.
It's interesting that Jacob compares seeing Esau's face with the face of God, for he had just wrestled God the night before.
Both God and Esau showed Jacob unmerited favor.
There are people in almost every person's life that need to be shown unmerited favor. Esau had no human reason to show such love to his brother. His love helped change Jacob. Who can you show love like this to? Who can you forgive? Who can you reconcile with? Maybe God will use you to change them for good.
2 Chronicles 10 - Rehoboam was the grandson of King David, the son of King Solomon, and a very stupid leader. It was under his leadership that the nation of Israel was divided. His stubborn refusal to listen to the wise counsel of his father's advisers, in favor of listening to his younger peers, led to incredible rebellion in the nation.
As a pastor, I want to always keep verse 8 in front of me, as a reminder about what happens when we don't respect the heritage of a church, a nation, a family, etc.
8 But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.
Acts 2 - Acts 2 is the chapter of the Bible where everything changed! After Jesus ascended to heaven, the apostles gathered in the upper room, praying and waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I love the way Acts 2 describes the coming of the Holy Spirit. There could be no doubt that this was the Spirit that Jesus promised. It would have been amazing to be in that upper room, but what happened next was even more incredible.
Peter, the impulsive, Jesus-denying, foot-in-mouth, act before you think, incredible leader of a man; spoke to thousands about the God who had so marvelously restored and forgiven him. And everyone in the crowd heard Peter's sermon in his own language. What a sermon! Three thousand people came to faith in Christ, and the early church started!
The description of the early church in Acts 2:42-47 shows a group of people who understood the irreducible core of the Christian life - love God, love others and make disciples as you go.
Psalm 36 - King David wrote some pretty scary words in Psalm 36:1-4, the scariest of which are, "there is no fear of God before his eyes."
He was speaking about the wicked. To live one's life with no fear of the Lord is a certain path to destruction. It may not happen in this life, but it surely will in the hereafter.
Remember, in Psalm 14:1, David told us that it was the fool who says in his heart that there is no God. The wicked person has not only said such thing in his heart, but has acted upon that belief with callous disregard for the Lord.
May you live your life with a constant awareness and holy reverence for the Lord.
Genesis 33 - What a beautiful story of redemption! Esau had every reason to hold bitterness towards his brother, Jacob. But, God had blessed Esau. When Esau saw Jacob, he chose to run towards him with unabashed love. A note in my Bible described this run as the run of the father in Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son.
It's interesting that Jacob compares seeing Esau's face with the face of God, for he had just wrestled God the night before.
Both God and Esau showed Jacob unmerited favor.
There are people in almost every person's life that need to be shown unmerited favor. Esau had no human reason to show such love to his brother. His love helped change Jacob. Who can you show love like this to? Who can you forgive? Who can you reconcile with? Maybe God will use you to change them for good.
2 Chronicles 10 - Rehoboam was the grandson of King David, the son of King Solomon, and a very stupid leader. It was under his leadership that the nation of Israel was divided. His stubborn refusal to listen to the wise counsel of his father's advisers, in favor of listening to his younger peers, led to incredible rebellion in the nation.
As a pastor, I want to always keep verse 8 in front of me, as a reminder about what happens when we don't respect the heritage of a church, a nation, a family, etc.
8 But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.
Acts 2 - Acts 2 is the chapter of the Bible where everything changed! After Jesus ascended to heaven, the apostles gathered in the upper room, praying and waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I love the way Acts 2 describes the coming of the Holy Spirit. There could be no doubt that this was the Spirit that Jesus promised. It would have been amazing to be in that upper room, but what happened next was even more incredible.
Peter, the impulsive, Jesus-denying, foot-in-mouth, act before you think, incredible leader of a man; spoke to thousands about the God who had so marvelously restored and forgiven him. And everyone in the crowd heard Peter's sermon in his own language. What a sermon! Three thousand people came to faith in Christ, and the early church started!
The description of the early church in Acts 2:42-47 shows a group of people who understood the irreducible core of the Christian life - love God, love others and make disciples as you go.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Notes from my Bible Study for February 5, 2010
Today's Reading: Psalm 35, Genesis 32, 2 Chronicles 9, Acts 1
Psalm 35 - If ever there were a prayer that showed that it is okay to pray for your own needs, this is it. David is asking the Lord to work on his behalf because there are people who are actively seeking to harm him.
As you read this prayer, you can't help but be struck at the desperation in David's words. He also seems to have full confidence that God will not only deliver him, but that his heart will praise God when he is delivered.
Genesis 32 - This is a fascinating chapter of Scripture. First, Jacob prepares to be reunited with his brother, Esau. Jacob is scared to death about this meeting with Esau. And, why wouldn't he be? He had betrayed Esau. It's interesting to see Jacob's bargaining with God continue in this passage. He is pleading with God for Esau to show mercy on him. Jacob even instructs his servants to tell Esau that "your servant" Jacob is coming to meet him. I believe that Jacob is convinced that he will truly become Esau's servant.
The second half of the chapter deals with Jacob's wrestling with God. It's interesting that God would choose to deal with Jacob in this way. I don't have much to write about the wrestling match, but I do find it interesting that at the conclusion, when God blesses Jacob, that He tells him that his name shall be Israel. This is the first mention of Israel in the Bible.
2 Chronicles 9 - The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon was a spectacle to behold. She was amazed at both the wisdom and the wealth of Solomon. Her visit shows that the rulers of the world had taken notice of Solomon's wealth. She even infers that Solomon's wealth was the talk of her kingdom, but the talk didn't do it justice.
Then she does something spectacular. She says, "Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the LORD your God! "
She praised God for Solomon's blessings. She also showered Solomon with blessings.
May we recognize that God has blessed our land. He has given us more than we deserve. We should be praising Him every day for the blessings that He has given to us.
The end of 2 Chronicles 9 records the wealth of Solomon increasing, and then his death. There is much more information about Solomon's reign in 1 Kings.
Acts 1 - The book of Acts was written by the Apostle Luke. We finished Luke's Gospel yesterday, and now we get to dive into his account of the early church.
Luke explains to Theophilus that his first letter was all about Jesus, and that this is a continuation of the Jesus story. Even though Jesus had ascended into heaven, He was still spiritually present on earth, and He continued to teach through His disciples and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 is one telling of the Great Commission. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Jesus gave His disciples a model for ministry. They were to share Christ in their hometown (Jerusalem), in their region(Judea), with their neighboring region(Samaria - even though the Samaritans were enemies of the Jews), and to the ends of the earth.
We are to do the same thing. God has called us to reach people like us and people that are not at all like us with the Gospel. How active are we in seeking to share Christ with the world around us? It is Christ's desire for us, and should be our consuming passion.
Psalm 35 - If ever there were a prayer that showed that it is okay to pray for your own needs, this is it. David is asking the Lord to work on his behalf because there are people who are actively seeking to harm him.
As you read this prayer, you can't help but be struck at the desperation in David's words. He also seems to have full confidence that God will not only deliver him, but that his heart will praise God when he is delivered.
Genesis 32 - This is a fascinating chapter of Scripture. First, Jacob prepares to be reunited with his brother, Esau. Jacob is scared to death about this meeting with Esau. And, why wouldn't he be? He had betrayed Esau. It's interesting to see Jacob's bargaining with God continue in this passage. He is pleading with God for Esau to show mercy on him. Jacob even instructs his servants to tell Esau that "your servant" Jacob is coming to meet him. I believe that Jacob is convinced that he will truly become Esau's servant.
The second half of the chapter deals with Jacob's wrestling with God. It's interesting that God would choose to deal with Jacob in this way. I don't have much to write about the wrestling match, but I do find it interesting that at the conclusion, when God blesses Jacob, that He tells him that his name shall be Israel. This is the first mention of Israel in the Bible.
2 Chronicles 9 - The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon was a spectacle to behold. She was amazed at both the wisdom and the wealth of Solomon. Her visit shows that the rulers of the world had taken notice of Solomon's wealth. She even infers that Solomon's wealth was the talk of her kingdom, but the talk didn't do it justice.
Then she does something spectacular. She says, "Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the LORD your God! "
She praised God for Solomon's blessings. She also showered Solomon with blessings.
May we recognize that God has blessed our land. He has given us more than we deserve. We should be praising Him every day for the blessings that He has given to us.
The end of 2 Chronicles 9 records the wealth of Solomon increasing, and then his death. There is much more information about Solomon's reign in 1 Kings.
Acts 1 - The book of Acts was written by the Apostle Luke. We finished Luke's Gospel yesterday, and now we get to dive into his account of the early church.
Luke explains to Theophilus that his first letter was all about Jesus, and that this is a continuation of the Jesus story. Even though Jesus had ascended into heaven, He was still spiritually present on earth, and He continued to teach through His disciples and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 is one telling of the Great Commission. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Jesus gave His disciples a model for ministry. They were to share Christ in their hometown (Jerusalem), in their region(Judea), with their neighboring region(Samaria - even though the Samaritans were enemies of the Jews), and to the ends of the earth.
We are to do the same thing. God has called us to reach people like us and people that are not at all like us with the Gospel. How active are we in seeking to share Christ with the world around us? It is Christ's desire for us, and should be our consuming passion.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Notes from my Bible Study for Feburary 4, 2010
Today's Reading: Psalm 34, Genesis 31, 2 Chronicles 8, Luke 24
Psalm 34 - David has experienced that God is good over and over again in his life when he writes Psalm 34. This passage is written after God had once again delivered David from great trouble.
David encourages the children of Israel to worship and magnify the Lord together with him. And then he says something marvelous in verse 8. "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"
Those who have experienced the grace and love of God know that these words are good. I talk to so many people who have rejected Christ for one reason or another. I can't help but think if they would taste and see, they would experience that Christ is everything that they ever needed in life. He fills the longings of our heart better than anything this side of heaven.
So, taste and see that the LORD is good. Let us exalt his name together, forever!
Psalm 34 - David has experienced that God is good over and over again in his life when he writes Psalm 34. This passage is written after God had once again delivered David from great trouble.
David encourages the children of Israel to worship and magnify the Lord together with him. And then he says something marvelous in verse 8. "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"
Those who have experienced the grace and love of God know that these words are good. I talk to so many people who have rejected Christ for one reason or another. I can't help but think if they would taste and see, they would experience that Christ is everything that they ever needed in life. He fills the longings of our heart better than anything this side of heaven.
So, taste and see that the LORD is good. Let us exalt his name together, forever!
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Notes from my Bible Study for February 3, 2010
Today's Reading: Psalm 33, Genesis 29:31‐30:43, 2 Chronicles 7, Luke 23:26‐56
Psalm 33 - Are you getting the idea that David liked to talk about the love of the Lord? David ends Psalm 33 with these words: "Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you."
If David knew anything about God, it is that his God knew how to show love to people who sometimes didn't deserve it. David had failed God over and over again, and yet God was still so good to him. He marveled at the steadfast love of his powerful God.
What is it about God's love that strikes you today?
Genesis 29:31-30:43 - You can speculate, just from reading this passage, that there will be trouble ahead for Jacob's family. The rivalry that is brewing between his wives and the continued deceitful attitudes about so many things (children, flocks, etc.) reveal a family that is not yet trusting in Jehovah.
2 Chronicles 7 - What a chapter! How can one read the words of 2 Chronicles 7 and not be in awe of our God?
As soon as Solomon had finished his prayer of the dedication of the temple, fire came down from heaven and consumed all the burn offering and sacrifices and the glory of God filled the temple.
What a sight this must have been! I can hardly imagine seeing Solomon then sacrifice 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep.
But, even bigger than the fire that consumed the offering was the fact that God spoke to the people.
2 Chronicles 7:14 has long been one of my favorite Bible verses. Why? Because it details the plan for national repentance and blessing. God didn't call heathens to repent in order for the land of Israel to be healed. He called for His chosen people to repent. If we want to see healing in America, or any other country, it is going to take God's people humbling ourselves, praying turning from our wicked ways, and seeking God's face, in order for our land to be healed.
The same powerful God that showed up in 2 Chronicles 7, wants to show up in your life today. Humble yourself. Pray, Turn from your wicked ways, and seek God's face.
Luke 23:26-56 - As I read this passage tonight, I thought about the people mentioned in the crucifixion account.
First, there is Simon of Cyrene. Simon was from Africa. Most likely a black man, Simon stood out in the Jewish crowds. He was picked out to carry the cross for Jesus, and I wonder how he felt.
Then there are the "Daughters of Jerusalem," whom Jesus picked out and told not to weep for Him, but for themselves and their children.
Then there were the criminals. One turned to Christ, the other mocked Him.
Then the soldiers, men who mocked Christ and gambled for his clothing.
Then there were those who were gathered in the temple, when the curtain was ripped in two. They aren't mentioned by name, but there were some who were there.
Finally, I read of Joseph of Arimathea and some women who had come from Galilee.
All of these people's stories were intertwined with Christ's story. I'm sure many were changed by the crucifixion, and then the resurrection.
I praise God that he died for people like the soldiers and the criminal. I praise God that he died for you and for me. I stand in awe of His great sacrifice.
Psalm 33 - Are you getting the idea that David liked to talk about the love of the Lord? David ends Psalm 33 with these words: "Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you."
If David knew anything about God, it is that his God knew how to show love to people who sometimes didn't deserve it. David had failed God over and over again, and yet God was still so good to him. He marveled at the steadfast love of his powerful God.
What is it about God's love that strikes you today?
Genesis 29:31-30:43 - You can speculate, just from reading this passage, that there will be trouble ahead for Jacob's family. The rivalry that is brewing between his wives and the continued deceitful attitudes about so many things (children, flocks, etc.) reveal a family that is not yet trusting in Jehovah.
2 Chronicles 7 - What a chapter! How can one read the words of 2 Chronicles 7 and not be in awe of our God?
As soon as Solomon had finished his prayer of the dedication of the temple, fire came down from heaven and consumed all the burn offering and sacrifices and the glory of God filled the temple.
What a sight this must have been! I can hardly imagine seeing Solomon then sacrifice 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep.
But, even bigger than the fire that consumed the offering was the fact that God spoke to the people.
2 Chronicles 7:14 has long been one of my favorite Bible verses. Why? Because it details the plan for national repentance and blessing. God didn't call heathens to repent in order for the land of Israel to be healed. He called for His chosen people to repent. If we want to see healing in America, or any other country, it is going to take God's people humbling ourselves, praying turning from our wicked ways, and seeking God's face, in order for our land to be healed.
The same powerful God that showed up in 2 Chronicles 7, wants to show up in your life today. Humble yourself. Pray, Turn from your wicked ways, and seek God's face.
Luke 23:26-56 - As I read this passage tonight, I thought about the people mentioned in the crucifixion account.
First, there is Simon of Cyrene. Simon was from Africa. Most likely a black man, Simon stood out in the Jewish crowds. He was picked out to carry the cross for Jesus, and I wonder how he felt.
Then there are the "Daughters of Jerusalem," whom Jesus picked out and told not to weep for Him, but for themselves and their children.
Then there were the criminals. One turned to Christ, the other mocked Him.
Then the soldiers, men who mocked Christ and gambled for his clothing.
Then there were those who were gathered in the temple, when the curtain was ripped in two. They aren't mentioned by name, but there were some who were there.
Finally, I read of Joseph of Arimathea and some women who had come from Galilee.
All of these people's stories were intertwined with Christ's story. I'm sure many were changed by the crucifixion, and then the resurrection.
I praise God that he died for people like the soldiers and the criminal. I praise God that he died for you and for me. I stand in awe of His great sacrifice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
