No Scheduled Reading
June 29, 2009
On Discipleship Journal’s “Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan” there are no assigned readings after the 28th of each month. Use this time to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past month, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revisit favorite or recently read passages.
I’m going to see if I can catch up on some of the reading and posts that I have missed and will post again on the first of next month.
Grace and peace to you!
Most Excellent Lover of God
June 26, 2009
Scripture
1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)
Observation
This is how Luke begins his first of two volumes – his Gospel. We see that it is addressed to Theophilus, a name which means Lover of God, and we see Luke’s purpose in writing, “that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
From this, I deduce that this Lover of God, already knows something about Jesus, but has doubts that need to be assuaged, or he needs to be persuaded more fully. This is Luke’s intent, and I think we should keep this in mind as we read through this story of the good news of Jesus!
Application
It is good to remember that the Gospels, and the Bible for that matter, didn’t just drop out of the sky, but they were inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by particular authors at a particular time in history, and addressed to a particular group of people.
I will keep this in mind as I read. I will look for times where it seems that Luke is clarifying the person and nature of Jesus, I will look for times when Jesus’ more-than-humanity is revealed – for surely this is Luke’s aim.
Prayer
Inspiring God, thank you for Luke, thank you for Theophilus and all the other God-Lovers throughout history who have sought the truth and who have found you. Give me eyes to read this Gospel well – that I might have my doubts assuaged, and my errors of belief corrected as I read this account of your precious Son. Inspire my reading just as you inspired Zechariah, John, Anna, Simeon, Mary, and Jesus. Amen.
It Only Takes One
June 23, 2009
Scripture
1 In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. 3 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. (2 Kings 18:1-3)
Observation
These bright words of hope come when we have heard that king after king ‘evil in the sight of the LORD.’ Finally there is a king that did not follow in his father’s footsteps. These verses are a reminder to me that we each come to God on his terms – we are not bound to the actions of our forebears. King Hezekiah did what was right – not what he had seen modeled around him. We aren’t told how he came to these decision, but we see God’s response. God granted him success in all that he did. He had success where his ancestors had failure. This is good news.
Application
Today, I will remember that I am not doomed to repeat the mistakes my ancestors made – I have to choose for myself. My hope is that I do not make all new mistakes, but learn from mine and the mistakes of those who came before me. I plan to seek the LORD with all my heart. That choice is up to me!
Prayer
Holy, gracious, and forgiving God. Thank you for this portion of scripture that reminds us that we are punished for our own deeds, not those of our ancestors. Give me the grace that I may live well according to your expectations – and to claim the blood of Jesus when I fall short. Amen.
A Holy Renovation
June 22, 2009
Scripture
13 The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the LORD; 14 it was paid to the workmen, who used it to repair the temple.15 They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty. (2 Kings 12:13-15)
Observation
King Joash made it a priority to repair and restore the temple – the place that God had chosen to reside and to interact with humanity. All the money that was brought in to the temple as gifts were to be used in the repairs. I find it interesting that we see some of the priorities of the priests at this time of renovation when money was tight. The priests decided to go without some of the things they had been buying before. After all, what good are “silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles” when the temple is in a state of disrepair? I also appreciate reading that the priests didn’t follow the workers around to check and double check what was being done and the cost of everything because they didn’t have to – those entrusted with the money “acted with complete honesty.”
Application
Fix the leaky roof before you buy pretty furnishings and things that are nice to have. In this Bible story, I see important priorities illustrated. But the question is: in my life, what are the structural imperfections that could jeopardize everything? This must be my focus – to allow the Holy Spirit to work on me in such a way that these are renovated!
Prayer
God, I want you to work on the areas of my life that could jeopardize everything. I know that I am not aware of all of them, so ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ Amen.
Day of Rest
June 21, 2009
There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.
Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revist favorite or recently read passages.
The Gift of Sight
June 19, 2009
Scripture
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)
Observation
Elisha shared the gift of sight with his servant; this time it was not the gift of physical sight – but the gift of spiritual eyes. Elisha saw a world that his servant did not, a world that made all the difference in how Elisha lived and the faith that he had. When Elisha’s servant saw his faith increased – although the author of Hebrews instructs us that true faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Application
My eyes work well – when I am wearing contacts or glasses. Without these there is much that goes unnoticed or unrecognized. It is sad to say that the same is true for the spiritual realm. I, like Elisha’s servant, don’t see the spiritual realities all around me. So, I will pray for myself the prayer of Elisha – that I might rightly see and discern what God is doing around me.
Prayer
Holy God who gives spiritual and physical sight, open my eyes that I might truly see. I want to see you at work around me that I can follow you well. At the same time, Lord, increase my faith that I might believe and discern even when I do not see. Amen.
Better Is One Day
June 16, 2009
Scripture
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Observation
For the psalmist, there is nothing better than spending time in God’s presence. I love this attitude of worship. This perspective needs to flow from Sunday morning (or whenever your worship service is) to the rest of your week.
Application
As I begin this period of ‘forced vacation’ this psalm is a great reminder that God is enough. Even as job interviews (and hopefully offers) come along, I need to remember that none of these is as important as my relationship with Jesus Christ. Indeed, there is nothing better than spending time in God’s presence!
Prayer
My prayer for today is this psalm set to music.
Amen.
Day of Rest
June 14, 2009
There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.
Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revist favorite or recently read passages.
The Things That Impress
June 11, 2009
Scripture
1 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions. 2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.
6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.” (1 Kings 10:1-6)
Observation
When the Queen of Sheba arrived, she had come because of Solomon’s fame and his relationship to the LORD; when she left she was impressed by his achievements and his wisdom. Somehow, she left unimpressed by his relationship to God. What a sad statement about this ‘wisest man’. He gained the whole world, but forfeited the most important thing: his relationship with the LORD.
The things that impressed the queen were human things: achievement, success, tables, food, officials, servants, even the religious observations but she did not leave closer to the God of gods or LORD of lords. What a shame.
Application
There are many things about myself that I hope impress others (one of the sins that I struggle with is pride). But after reading this section of 1 Kings – I am even more convicted that when people meet with me I don’t want them to go away thinking about me and my perceived skill or gifts, I want people to go away from an encounter with me understanding more about God, and desiring a deeper relationship with Jesus. I would be proud of that!
Prayer
Holy God, may I point people to you, rather than to myself. All the glory is yours… you alone are worthy! Amen.
Day of Rest
June 7, 2009
There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.
Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revist favorite or recently read passages.
