see intro to 8-17 -2010 post...
8-19-2010
2 Samuel 6:1-23
A) Play by the rules - God killed Uzzah for doing what seemed like a harmless, even protective thing, but God will punish those who break his rules. Uzzah knew the rules and he could of grabbed the poles used to carry the ark, but he touched the ark - the throne of God.
B)David & Michal - God comes first, wanting to be first instead of God gets you in trouble. It's amazing how disrespect and dishonor can hurt a marriage and destroy a lineage.
Psalm 149
Funny how the psalmist is commanding the people to do exactly what David was doing when Michal disrespected him. Are we pleasing God or are we hesitating because we are afraid to offend someone?
Ezekiel 36:1-15
Prophecy of God's righteous judgment against Israel's enemies and his vindication of Israel.
John 2:1-12
Wedding Time - The wine is running or has run out -Gasp (the Horror) Jesus says it is not his time - he is working on God's timetable and is not a miracle worker on demand. His mother, shows submission by telling the servants to do whatever Jesus asks - even if it is nothing... Are we that submissive when we ask something of Christ?
1 Timothy 3:14-16
Order in the church is important because it is by the formality of church that TRUTH is to be taught.
Love God's Word!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
BTTB 8-18-2010
*see intro to 8-17-10 post
8-18-2010
2 Samuel 5:1-25
God rewards faithfulness and obedience. God gave David to be king over Judah then, all of Israel a reign that lasted 40 years. David inquired of God before making decisions and God answered - bringing victory according to David's obedience.
Have I inquired of the Lord today? Have I heard from him before I act?
Psalm 148
All creation praises God. We, too, must praise Him. It is for this purpose that we were created and given our intellect, that we might know God and bring Him praise.
God has raised up a king and anointed one for Israel.
Ezekiel 35:1-15
A warning against those who stand as enemies with Israel. God will pour his righteous judgment on all those who laugh and delight is Israel calamity. In the end Israel will be standing and her enemies will be in ruins. All will know exactly WHO God is!
John 1:35-51
Andrew, Peter and Nathaniel's' introduction to Jesus. They marveled at what he could do and what he knew. Do we believe in and serve Christ just for what he can do and do for us or do we believe in and serve him because he is Lord?
1 Timothy 3:8-13
More on Church Leadership. Deacons (elders, church leaders) must be of good character, not two-faced , they must be honest, sober with wives of the same character. As leaders, we must never act in a way that will discredit Christ's church.
until tomorrow...
8-18-2010
2 Samuel 5:1-25
God rewards faithfulness and obedience. God gave David to be king over Judah then, all of Israel a reign that lasted 40 years. David inquired of God before making decisions and God answered - bringing victory according to David's obedience.
Have I inquired of the Lord today? Have I heard from him before I act?
Psalm 148
All creation praises God. We, too, must praise Him. It is for this purpose that we were created and given our intellect, that we might know God and bring Him praise.
God has raised up a king and anointed one for Israel.
Ezekiel 35:1-15
A warning against those who stand as enemies with Israel. God will pour his righteous judgment on all those who laugh and delight is Israel calamity. In the end Israel will be standing and her enemies will be in ruins. All will know exactly WHO God is!
John 1:35-51
Andrew, Peter and Nathaniel's' introduction to Jesus. They marveled at what he could do and what he knew. Do we believe in and serve Christ just for what he can do and do for us or do we believe in and serve him because he is Lord?
1 Timothy 3:8-13
More on Church Leadership. Deacons (elders, church leaders) must be of good character, not two-faced , they must be honest, sober with wives of the same character. As leaders, we must never act in a way that will discredit Christ's church.
until tomorrow...
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
BTTB - "Blogging Through the Bible
This idea came to me yesterday during my devotions. Since, I'm not one for journaling (because I doubt I would ever read what I wrote), I thought I would pound out some short reflections on my daily devotions. Please do not attempt to link the various passages together each day, as I use a 5-lane reading approach in my devotions. That is, I read 5 passages of scripture from various books of the Bible daily. I use - Dr. Leroy Bartels' Necessary Food - available for free download from http://www.gracefellowshipcanton.org/ Click the link on the home page that says, "Necessary Food".
It is said that if one stays current with the reading schedule, that one would read the entire Bible in a year. For me, I strive to gain understanding from each passage and sometimes, repeat them until understanding is achieved. So I am not as concerned with how fast I eat as I am with the nutrition I am taking in at each meal.
Please note that this is not a commentary and is in no way authoritative. It is simply a personal excercise in the spiritual discipline of daily Bible reading.
8-17-10
2 Samuel 3:6-4:12
Wow, what a mess. David is king and some of his high-ranking officials are running amuk and taking matters into their own hands, killing individuals without the kings knowledge or consent. Some even tried to pass it off as service to the king, but David had two of these individuals killed for their wickedness.
Far to often we think we know what is best and act on our initial impulses. We can actually believe we are doing our leadership and our God a service, but the damage caused by such actions far outweigh any benefit.
Psalm 147
It is amazing the amount of care that God lavishes on his creation. Not even the cry of a small raven escapes his ears! He cares about the smallest things, and he cares about us. Are you down? Is your heart broken? God wants to heal you.
Ezekiel 34:25-31
How faithful God is to his people - to Israel. God will provide for Israel, and we can be confident that he will deliver and protect them.
John 1:19-24
John the Baptist knew his place and he knew his purpose. He didn't draw attention to himself, but reflected attention to whom he served. He looked to Jesus as we are to. Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit - it is he who I need to seek daily.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Talk about a tough standard. Church leadership are to be people who are gentle, humble, self controlled, accountable, responsible and respectable. The toughest question asked is, how can one lead the church if he cannot lead his home?
Until tomorrow...
It is said that if one stays current with the reading schedule, that one would read the entire Bible in a year. For me, I strive to gain understanding from each passage and sometimes, repeat them until understanding is achieved. So I am not as concerned with how fast I eat as I am with the nutrition I am taking in at each meal.
Please note that this is not a commentary and is in no way authoritative. It is simply a personal excercise in the spiritual discipline of daily Bible reading.
8-17-10
2 Samuel 3:6-4:12
Wow, what a mess. David is king and some of his high-ranking officials are running amuk and taking matters into their own hands, killing individuals without the kings knowledge or consent. Some even tried to pass it off as service to the king, but David had two of these individuals killed for their wickedness.
Far to often we think we know what is best and act on our initial impulses. We can actually believe we are doing our leadership and our God a service, but the damage caused by such actions far outweigh any benefit.
Psalm 147
It is amazing the amount of care that God lavishes on his creation. Not even the cry of a small raven escapes his ears! He cares about the smallest things, and he cares about us. Are you down? Is your heart broken? God wants to heal you.
Ezekiel 34:25-31
How faithful God is to his people - to Israel. God will provide for Israel, and we can be confident that he will deliver and protect them.
John 1:19-24
John the Baptist knew his place and he knew his purpose. He didn't draw attention to himself, but reflected attention to whom he served. He looked to Jesus as we are to. Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit - it is he who I need to seek daily.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Talk about a tough standard. Church leadership are to be people who are gentle, humble, self controlled, accountable, responsible and respectable. The toughest question asked is, how can one lead the church if he cannot lead his home?
Until tomorrow...
Friday, August 13, 2010
Stretching...
It was like walking down a vaguely familiar hallway, fumbling for a set of keys and then trying to remember which key would unlock the door. I purposely haven't blogged, haven't walked down the writing hallway for quite some time. I had to remember how to access this blog again, fumbling through passwords until I finally got in. Why, you ask?This past spring, I realized something. I was becoming content to sit at a desk, pounding away on a keyboard - writing about making a difference, rather than actually making a difference. I wanted to touch lives, real flesh and bone people, who needed touched as much or more as I needed God to touch them through me.
Recently, my family and I went with the youth group from our church on a 10-day missions trip. What I learned during the trip is beginning to change my life and my ministry. While I was happy to write a few paragraphs each day, hoping that the words would touch someones life, I now realize even more, that people need to see Christ's love, care and concern for them in felt ways - not just words on a page.
This change required some stretching, no, major stretching, for me. On the trip, I found myself talking with strangers on the street; something that I was never comfortable doing. Can I tell you that it is scary when God shatters our comfortable little bubble that we tend to stay in.
My prayer this summer, has been that God uses me not only to reach people, but continues to give me a genuine love for people. I am adding to that prayer that God will use me both through writing and ministering personally to people. Reaching people takes many approaches, from all of us who bear Christ's name.
Have you been stretched lately?
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