June 13th Bible in a Year Readings

[Mike - Bible in a Year Blog]

1 Kings 11:1-12:19 + Acts 9:1-25 + Psalm 131:1-3 + Proverbs 17:4-5
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Old Testament – Wow… things go south in today’s readings big time for Solomon!  Why?  Simple.  1 Kings 11 verses 5 & 6 tell us: “Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. Thus, Solomon did what was evil in the LORD’s sight; he refused to follow the LORD completely, as his father, David, had done.”  This is sad stuff to read.  Solomon had a great life, great relationship with God and he plain and simple fumbled the ball.  He knew God and knew he was not to worship other gods.  And he did so anyway?  Why?  Well, yeah, maybe having 1,000 wives & concubines was a bit of a distraction – but I don’t blame them per se.  It was Solomon that decided to marry outside of Israel and it was Solomon that decided to have all those wives and concubines (and polygamy is not God’s plan – God’s plan since Adam & Eve was one man, one woman – not one man, many women).  And it was Solomon that decided to worship other gods.  He was running a strong race early on – but stumbled.  Fumbled.  This all reminds me of Paul’s wisdom in 1 Corinthians 9 verses 25 through 27: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”   Paul wisely realized that even with all of his preaching to others, he still had to be diligent to make sure that he himself would not be disqualified!  Incredible wisdom…  Think Solomon could have learned from these words of Paul?  Think you and I can learn from these words of Paul?  And can we learn not to repeat Solomon’s mistakes?  How are you running the race?  Are you running in such a way as to get the prize?

Below is an image for these sad verses of 7 & 8: “On the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, Solomon even built a shrine for Chemosh, the detestable god of Moab, and another for Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods.”

King Rehoboam’s bad decision making in 1 Kings 12 is an excellent example of why we should respect our elders…  Rehoboam blew off the advice of his elders and instead heeded the foolish advice of the young men around him.  And then the kingdom was divided.   Of course, this turn of events was the will of God.  But, still, a good example I think of why we should listen to and respect our elders….

New Testament – Big readings today!  Saul is converted to Christianity by Jesus himself!  I think this is the most powerful conversion story in all of the Bible!  Below is the phenomenal painting “The Conversion (of Saul) on the Way to Damascus” by the Italian Baroque Era painter Caravaggio, circa 1600:

As I was reading Acts chapter 9 today, I thought more about Ananias than I have before.  Can you imagine being Ananias and being asked to go find Saul of Tarsus?  Ananias demonstrated amazing faith in today’s readings.   God’s words to Ananias about Saul in verses 15 & 16 are powerful – and as we now know, so very true: “But the Lord said, “Go and do what I say. For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for me.””  Great stuff…  In your life, who might God be calling you to go visit – like he called Ananias to visit?  Is there someone who is waiting for you to visit them, lay hands on them, and open up their hearts to receive the Holy Spirit?  Will you be Ananias for that person?  Below is an image of Saul/Paul (kneeling) and Ananias from today’s readings:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “The Conversion of Saul” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 131 verse 2 is a beautiful reflection!  “But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me.” What a great reflection and reminder to take 1 day a week as a Sabbath day of rest.  A day to still and quiet yourself.  Just like a small child is with its mother.  Have you been still and quieted yourself recently?  Why would David, the Psalmist, write about this?  Why would this be a good thing to do?

Proverbs – Proverbs 17 verse 5 is quite convicting for us to consider: “Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.”  That is a powerful realization – if you mock the poor, you mock God.  If you care for the poor, you care for God.  I have a friend who met Mother Teresa many years back at her home for the sick & dying in Calcutta.  And my friend when he met her was trying to tell her all the great stuff he was doing in his life and in his ministry.  But, Mother Teresa really didn’t care to hear about all his ministry stuff.  All she said to him was “Do you want to meet Jesus?  Do you want to meet Jesus?”  And of course he said “Yes!  Of course I do Mother Teresa.”  So, she led him by the hand down a hall and into a room where a man was on his deathbed.  She sat my friend down at a chair by this man’s bed.  And she placed my friend’s hands on this dying man’s hands.  And she said, “Now you will meet Jesus.”  And she left the room…  and left him in the room with the dying man for about 30 minutes.   And you know what – my friend met Jesus that day in a way he had never done so before.  So, how about you.  Do you want to meet Jesus?

Worship Video: Today’s readings about Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus reminds me of the Selah song “Unredeemed:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfGbcjCVDOs

Are you Unredeemed?  Click here for Redemption!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 17:5 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you will never mock the poor, but love the poor. Pray that you never gloat over a disaster, but serve in the midst of a disaster.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  In your life, what was your conversion story?  Do you mind sharing your testimony here with others?  Perhaps it may not be as dramatic as Saul/Paul’s story, but do you think it is just as special in God’s eyes?  (I do!)  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Al:

Can someone please enlighten me as to the state of all the tribes at the moment?

Ahijah says ten tribes will be given to Jeroboam. Are the two that remain with Rehoboam the tribes of Judah and Benjamin? I understand that Judah is the tribe of Rehoboam, but why Benjamin also? I’m sure the reason is given somewhere in all that we have read so far but I cannot remember. Where are the Levites now? I am a little bit lost.

Thanks!
Al

====== Ramona:

For AL,

Don’t despair. I too get confused about what I’m reading and I’ve been going through the Bible yearly since 1984. 

The Levites were not given any land per say because the Lord is their possession. So they are only eleven tribes that were allocated lands. The Levites were given parcels of land in each of the eleven divisions

Benjamin kind of aligned themselves with Judah, emphasis on “kind of.”

A-little-lost-maybe if this is your first time going through the Bible you will not understand everything. Just believe that God will reveal to things that will help you now. He gives to us what we need when we need it.

Even the disciples didn’t “Get It” and Jesus told them in John 16, 12 I have still many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them or to take them upon you or to grasp them now. (Amplified Bible). If the disciples, who walked with Jesus for 3 and ½ years had problems comprehending everything they were taught, we too will stumble and struggle with God’s Words.

Believe that God, through His Holy Spirit, will reveal things to you and stay on course in reading through the Bible.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Ramona:

I Kings 11:1-12:19

Boy or boy when we are entrenched in our sin we find ways to justify what we are doing and convince ourselves that we are not doing anything wrong just like Solomon. The first verse begins with, “Now King Solomon loved many foreign woman …” I’m wondering if this was love or lust. Love desires to benefit others at the expense of self; lust desires to benefit self at the expense of others. I think Solomon was doing a bit of lusting and calling it love.

About a year ago, I went on a “tangent” looking up all the places in the Bible that mentions the word vengeance. I wanted to see in what context was the word used and why did God not want man/woman to extract their own vengeance. As happens in a dialogue or discussions some things are brought in that one might think is off topic but then that new component yields serendipitous insight. Some how Solomon was mentioned, specifically the gods he worshiped after marrying all those “ites” woman (read 1 Kings 11 in the King James Version to understand the “ites.”), Molech and Ashtoreth, specifically. Molech was the god that children were offered up too (child sacrifice) and Ashtoreth (the goddess of love and fertility).

We noted that it appeared to us when society abandons itself to the pursuit of sexual pleasures (Ashtoreth) we wind up sacrificing our children on Molech’s alter to facilitate our drive toward sexual sin. We wind up sacrificing our children on our alters of pleasure. Sex comes with responsibility that is why God commands us to engage in it under the marriage covenant. We want the sex but we don’t want what it produces, children. So we abort them, neglect them, mistreat them and the list goes on and on. And if we decide to marry to legitimize our sexual lusts, especially in the Western World, our desire for sex seems to cut off all blood flow to our brains and we don’t enter into the marriage covenant financially capable to support kids. God gave us a BIG CLUE back there in the Garden of Eden. Before God have Adam a wife, he gave him a job working the garden: No job, No wife.

Yep, I know the above has nothing to do with today’s reading, or does it.

The consequences of Solomon’s reckless behavior led to destruction. There is a way that seems right to a man but ends in destruction (Proverbs 14:12). However, Solomon did not follow his own wisdom. Maybe we think because we said it, spoke it, and sensed it those elements of recognition will keep us from experiencing the folly of foolishness. However, wisdom, like lessens taught but not learned in school and a bar of soap, if not applied will do you no good. The Word of God can be memorized and studied over a lifetime, but if not applied to my life, it will be ineffectual.

David fought and conquered Israel’s enemies on the outside, but she was done in by the enemies on the inside, godlessness and faithlessness.
Acts 9:1-25

I wonder if God chose Saul/Paul to preach/teach His Gospel because of his fervor. That same passion Saul used to persecute Christians God was going to use for His Glory. There is a lesson in their for me, the thing that makes me abhorrent to others, the thing that makes me destructive God can convert for His purpose making the detestable dirty thing into pure gold. Our God is just awesome.
Psalm 131: 1-3
It is in the still small voice that our God speaks to us and we have to learn to STOP! LOOK! And LISTEN! for that voice. Please note it is not God who causes us to be still, we have the responsibility to still and quiet ourselves.

2 But I have stilled and quieted myself,

Proverbs 17:4-5

The fourth verse is another way of saying, “You are what you eat.” This verse flips the saying to “You eat what you are.” Wrongdoers eat wicked talk or words, and liars feast on words that bring destruction. What am I eating?

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

I guess if Solomon held fast in love to 1000 women it was pretty hard for him
love God as well…He started out by investing a bit in a palace for his Egyptian
wife(foreign wife),soon he was building houses for foreign gods as well.I have
to wonder how did Solomon find out about Jeroboam?If he knew God had
chosen him,trying to kill him was another act of rebellion on his part…there
goes his wisdom out the window.
What a call on Saul’s life!I guess the realisation that all this while he had
been persecuting Jesus must have really hit him hard.As I read “I will show
him how much he will suffer for my name”I couldn’t help thinking of “those
who live with the sword will die by the sword”.Like Saul made christians
suffer for the sake of Christ,he was made to go that way too….but it worked
out for a greater good and his suffering has encouraged a number of
generations.
In my story of conversion,I did have a Ananias who prayed daily for me,councelled me with the word.Each time I remember my Ananias,I realise just how special I am to God and through what lengths he went to bring me into his kingdom and feed me.
God bless you all
Anka

====== Ramona:

I Kings 11:12:19

Solomon didn’t just role out of bed one morning and decide to marry a lot of woman. Solomon’s decline, thus Israel’s decline began the day he was crowned king. Solomon had failed to do what had been written in the Law for kings to do when they sit on the throne:

When you come to the land which the Lord your God gives you and you possess it and live there, and then say, We will set a king over us like all the nations that are about us, You shall surely set as king over you him whom the Lord your God will choose. One from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner, who is not your brother, over you. But he shall not multiply horses to himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to multiply horses, since the Lord said to you, You shall never return that way. And he shall not multiply wives to himself, that his [mind and] heart turn not away; neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. And when he sits on his royal throne, he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, out of what is before the Levitical priests. And he shall keep it with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn [reverently] to fear the Lord his God, by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes and doing them, That his [mind and] heart may not be lifted up above his brethren and that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left; so that he may continue long, he and his sons, in his kingdom in Israel.
(Deuteronomy 17:14-20 AMP)

God chose Solomon that is a fact, but Solomon chose to not follow after God. Solomon was no doubt a very wise man, but he was not the Wisdom of God. He may have had that wisdom available to him but having something in your reach and actually reaching for that wisdom to use are two separate actions. When reading the Book of Proverbs, I am sometimes reminded that the person who wrote the majority of the text did not follow what he wrote.

The gift of salvation, the Wisdom of God, is available to us but many fail to put forth their hand to grab it, which is their choice.

May all that strive to know the Will of God through His Word reach out and grab, utilize and put into application, the Wisdom of God. Just like a bar of soap, the Wisdom of God, though in our reach, will do us no good unless it is wetted and applied.

Also note that Ashtoreth and Molech are gods that go hand-in-hand, Ashtoreth is a goddess of sex and is worshiped by having sex on the alter, Molech is the god of child sacrifice, and it doesn’t have to be by actual fire—it is parents sacrificing their child, their future, on the alter of their own pleasures. Where you find one, Ashtoreth, you find the other, Molech. In the United States child sexual exploitation is so out of control the news media is doing stings on the predators. We have become like Solomon, think about it.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Jan:

I don’t have much respect for Solomon & when people tout his wisdom, I get sick to my stomach. Seems to me it was all about him & his pleasures with 1,000 wives/concubines; get real here…man can hardly take care of one woman properly much less 1,000…that was for his pleasure alone & no one elses.

Jan

====== Nneka:

1 Kings 11:9-13 (New King James)
So the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Isreal, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods ; but he did not keep what the Lord had commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My status, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However I will not tear away the whole kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen”.

Food to thought: Parents, what legacy are you leaving behind for your children? Because of David’s faithfulness to God, Solomon succeeded him to the throne of Isreal and had favour with God. But due to Solomon’s unfaithfulness to God, his son Rehoboam “inherited” God’s wrath and divided kingdom.

Parents be ware, our lives of faithfulness or disobedience to God today will affect our children positivel or negatively tomorrow.

Nneka

====== Romayne:

Psalm 131 is a huge lesson for me daily, and also especially V 2. I have my 25-year-old stepdaughter living with me on a free ticket because she’s not earning enough to pay rent. However, despite her being a loving, and quite caring lass, she can be equally desperately selfish, careless and otherwise appear to not care much about my needs (which being disabled and in chronic pain daily) can be many, and I tend to constantly push on and perhaps make her think there’s little wrong with me, so I find myself sometimes being hit by overwhelming irritation by her actions or inactions and came to a point recently where i truly just HAD to do as this verse suggests – sit before the Lord and plead for His calmness and peace to replace the irritation and angst, or I was truly going to lose it with her, which would be bad for us both, as she’s not a Christian, and I’m very aware she judges my faith by my actions too. So while David no doubt was in a much worse place than me at the time of writing this, I’m so glad he did, as it’s just what I need to be reminded of.

Romayne

====== John:

Anka,

Regarding Jeroboam

“It is not immediately apparent why these construction projects caused him to rebel against Solomon. Jewish traditions say he opposed the oppressive use of forced labor in these building projects. Since he was the officer over all the labor force, this tradition makes some sense.” – David Guzik

This above explanantion makes sense when you look at 1Kings 12:3-4
“So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” NIV

As to how Solomon found out about Jeroboam – Josephus has a comment:

“Being a young man of warm temper, and ambitious of greatness, he could not be quiet.” Jeroboam decided to seek control of the northern tribes immediately, and “he endeavored to persuade the people to forsake Solomon, to make a disturbance, and to bring the government over to himself” (Antiquities of the Jews, book VIII, chapter vii, section 8).

Solomon, who learned of Jeroboam’s subversive design, responded by trying to kill him.

SIDE NOTE: Solomons Life span

The period that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years: Many commentators believe that Solomon began his reign when he was about 20 years old. This means that Solomon did not live a particularly long life. This means that the promised made in 1 Kings 3:14 was not fulfilled to Solomon, because of his disobedience. – David Guzik

i. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days. (1 Kings 3:14)

John

====== John:

Three days

Acts 9:9
“For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.”

In the Bible “three days occurs 61 times, and “three” occurs 485 times.

You can do a word/phrase search at link to see the passages.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/

I read a little on biblical numerology and some secular stuff – but this is what struck me:

Jonah, Jesus, Paul

Jonah and Paul in the dark, and Jesus dead.

None ate or drank.

Each in condition or place for three days.

Jonah and Paul bookends to Christ.

Jonah emerged from darkness and “prophesied” at Ninevah (Gentiles), and 120,000+ repented and were forgiven for “a time”.

Jesus was raised from the dead and asceneded into heaven as the “first fruits” of the redeemed.

Paul emerged from “physical and spiritual” darkness to preach to Jew and Gentile, and was instrumental in the rapid growth of the Church. (Far more than 120,000)

NOTE: It was interesting that Paul, who had some integral part in Stephen’s death, seemed to replace Stephen early on. Both were skilled speakers for whom the authorities had no answer. Both angered the authorities to the point where they wanted each dead.

In these early days – Paul performed no signs and wonders (at least not recorded), but “baffled the Jews living in Damascus” with the power of his arguments and proof (from the Old Testament??) that Jesus is the “Christ”.

SIDE NOTE: Son of God

He preached the Christ: The message of Paul was all about Jesus. He knew they needed to know Jesus in truth, that He is the Son of God.

i. Many people think when Jesus is called the Son of God it is a way of saying He is not God, only “the son of God.” But in Jesus’ day, everyone knew what this title meant. To be called the “son of” something meant you were totally identified with that thing or person, and their identity was your identity. When Jesus called Himself the Son of God, and when others called Him that, it was understood as a clear claim to His deity.

ii. In fact, on two occasions when Jesus called Himself the Son of God, He was accused of blasphemy, of calling Himself God (John 5:17-18, Matthew 26:63-65). Everybody knew what Jesus meant in calling Himself Son of God, and everyone knew what Saul meant when he preached that Jesus is the Son of God. – David Guzik

John

====== Ron:

Strange how Scriptures effect us so differently. When I read the story of Solomon it brings me hope! God never chose perfect people to fulfill His plan and purpose. Reason being, there were NO perfect people available. You won’t read of too many Bible characters that didn’t have some kind of ‘problem’. ‘Dysfunctional’ didn’t start just in the last few years.

Why do these ‘less than perfect’ folks give me hope you ask? I know that God can still use me to fulfill his plan and purpose, even though I’ve made some major mistakes (read…SIN). However, so long as I continue to seek Him with my whole heart and do not practice sin, He will use me and bless me.

Look at my post yesterday, I said that God told Solomon if he would ‘walk in the integrity and uprightness’ of his father David he would bless him! David was involved in an adulterous affair and then had his girlfriend’s husband murdered. So how could God call David a man of integrity and uprightness?

He never stopped serving or worshiping God like his son Solomon did! Solomon went after other Gods…a conscious decision he made on his own. God had already told him not to take wives from certain tribes as they could lead him into idolatry. He chose to ignore God’s Word and do it anyway. The rewards of disobedience are ugly!

But does all this mean that God did not use Solomon during the time he walked with God? He used him to build His temple. He used him to write books of great wisdom. God knew what He was getting in Solomon before He made the deal…so to speak. And the hope I have is that God knew what He was getting before He chose me…and you! An awesome thought in my book.

God used Noah to save the world, then he got off the boat and got drunk. Even Moses rebelled and disobeyed. Jonah didn’t exactly conduct his revival like God asked Him to. Peter was impulsive, James and John had tempers, Thomas was a doubter. The list goes on and on. I’m not trying to downgrade or profane any Bible character, I’m merely trying to get us to see that God uses ordinary, everyday folks like you and I to achieve his plan and purpose in this world. His mercy endures forever!

Ron

====== Mae:

Very powerful readings today! Especially Acts! Acts was one of the first books I read after I was reborn, Acts & John. I thought they were pretty huge! And I still think they’re really huge! You know, I was brought up in religion, with the Bible. I read the Bible, because I ‘had’ to. But I never really understood. Many times I read John 1:13 “They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God”. It was so frustrating for me, I had the feeling Jesus was calling me with this verse. But I never understood what it meant to be reborn! In the Protestant church they never talked about rebirth, well, not in our Protestant church. I just didn’t know what to do to start all over again. I had never heard about a living God, about having a relationship with God, how to understand the Bible. But now … it’s a true rebirth! I’m celebrating my first ‘rebirthday’ in August and I’ve grown so much! I can feel it in myself and I can see it in the relationships I’ve gained these past months. I’ve received the Holy Spirit and what a Gift is that … it gives me the power to share my testimony, it gives me the power to go on and do whatever I need to do in God’s will. I share my testimony all the time, I even pray and ask for open people to cross my path, whom I can share my testimony with. I pray that God will use me in any way He wants to, I’m His! We have lots of fellowship evenings with our churches and I LOVE to give my testimony on stage, it’s so powerful! Especially when there are visitors, it’s important for them to know that my life hasn’t been like this always. And sure, even now it’s not perfect, I have my ups and downs. But the best part is that I can give my downs to the Lord for Him to repair and I can thank Him afterwards. My ups are also to thank Him for, to praise Him for … the glory is all His! With God I can do everything (anything? which one? LOL)! I’m not afraid anymore, I’m not insecure anymore … it’s just wonderful to know that He has all the answers. All you have to do is ask Him!

Mae

====== Debby:

I was “the” woman at the well when I met Jesus face to face. I was at the bottom of the well. Today, 37 years later, I have been blessed with His love, mercy and grace beyond measure. But now in the FAll of my life I sense He wants me to “really” meet Jesus and I am praying and asking for clairty! Today’s reading from Acts was just for me…at…least that is how it felt!! I have so much to give and I sit and am bored most of my days. Today I am calling out to Jesus to fill me up and use me as I have never been used before!! I will NOT be afraid! Amen

Debby

====== Ann:

I fell more like Soloman. start out right, but there is somethingm apiece of me held back from God, not even fully realizing how it all effected me spiritually. And that what I thought was small turned into a stronger pull away from God. Thankfully I was able to return to him quickly, before I completly “build the temples to the foreign gods” but there is still a weekness that I must serender on a regular basis. Todays reading was a reminder of where I once was in my life & how I need to completely surrender it to God. O how easily I can slip & allow it to consume me.

Ann

====== Benny:

Think of Solomon’s position at the time, I believe he married those foreign women (some of them or all of them) out of necessity to make peace with the surrounding countries. That’s the “price” that he had to pay in order to maintain his country’s peace. But to what price~

Benny

====== Susan:

I know that I accepted Christ as a little girl at a revival meeting in a Baptist church. Not long after that, I was baptized and I tried to do what I thought God wanted me to do. Then, I went to college and while I was there, met and married my husband. We were “good” people, but didn’t follow after God in our marriage. After our son was born, we began to attend a little church than my husband’s cousin pastored. One evening a young mother stood up to ask the congregation to pray for her sick baby. My heart was pricked. I knew that I could not have asked for anyone to pray for my own baby if he were sick because I rarely spoke to God myself those days. It crushed me to think that my baby could become sick and I felt that my poor relationship with God would prohibit me from asking God to help me. I repented than night. At this same time, my husband was touched by the young mother’s words and asked the Lord to save him. He later confessed that because he loved his little son so much he could not bear the thought of not being able to ask God to help his son if he ever became sick. He asked Christ, then, to be his savior. Thirty years later, I can honestly say that Jesus has made all the difference in our lives. We have seen that little boy grow up to be a loving husband and father himself and dependent on our Heavenly Father as well. Our daughters, too, have grown up in Christ and are being used mightly by God. I often think about the young mother who bravely pleaded before that little congregation and I know she had no idea how God would use her tearful words. But, He did. He brought me back and saved my husband. God uses us even in our time of need to show others the Way.

Susan

====== Linda:

This is what stood out to me in todays readings: Psalms – Psalm 131 verse 2 is a beautiful reflection! “But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me.” What a great reflection and reminder to take 1 day a week as a Sabbath day of rest. A day to still and quiet yourself. Just like a small child is with its mother. Have you been still and quieted yourself recently? Why would David, the Psalmist, write about this? Why would this be a good thing to do?
I remember when God first showed me this verse…I realized my soul cannot honestly say it is quieted like a child weaned from it’s Mother’s breast. I don’t know how to do this and can’t remember knowing how when this rang true with me…surely He did it for me and I know He will again, even now as I type this comment. Alleuia! What a Savior!

Linda

====== Wendy:

I was saved at my darkest hour. I was putting my baby of six weeks old in the ground. Jesus met me there. Soon after, I was saved. Praise God, for the compassion!

Wendy

====== David:

You asked if any one had a conversion story to share. Mine was very simple. I was going through marital problems and I needed someone to forgive me. I went to a church and I heard the pastor preached about how Jesus can forgive sins. I have heard this before but the pastor seemed truly that he really believed in this so I confronted him after the service. He truly believed that Jesus could help me. He lead me through the sinners prayer and It worked. I really felt forgiven and the tears started to flow. My wife noticed the change in me and she even started tolerating my faults better. We are still married up to now. We have a much better relationship, now that I am a Christian.

David

====== Patty:

We had a Damascus like conversion. My husband a friend and I took a road trip to visit a family friend and party. On the way we discovered that our friend was getting involved in the militia, as were we. That was 1994 and the world was going through some incredible changes. It felt like our rights were being taken away steadily. We felt that it wouldn’t be long before the government took away all are gun rights and we would be in a full blown civil war with the end of the world not far behind. At one point my friend had a problem with his son and girlfriend getting along. I said lets pray about it. I was religious like Paul however, not born again. Then we began talking about our role with the militia. And that is when God revealed Himself to us, not speaking audibly. however, to each of our hearts He said, “Peace, This is all in my plan and the end of the world as you know it will come to an end.” We each felt the holiness of God come into that truck. For the first time a godly sorrow over sin washed over us. No other way to explain it. We got quiet thinking of our sins. And we said, I have done some bad things I don’t know how I can be forgiven. But God being such a Good and Faithful God, showed up the story of the thief on the cross, and He showed up that He could forgive him, He could forgive us. God brought many of His scriptures to our hearts and minds that day giving us a hunger to know the One who died for our sins. What a wonderful God we serve. Thank you Lord! To God be the Glory!

Patty

====== David:

Every artist shows Saul falling off a horse or animal, however Saul was walking. The Bible says after he was struck blind the men with him led him by the hand to damascus. If he was riding on an animal and struck blind he would have been put back on the animal and rode to damascus with the men leading the animal. The reason for this is the travel would be faster and easier.

David

====== Bob:

1Kings 12:16b So the Israelites went home. It is sad how poor leadership (discernment) has devestating consequences. The decision here by Rehoboam resulted in the Lost Tribes of Israel and resulted in the situation Israel was in when Jesus arrived. (2Chronicles 10:19).

Bob

====== Dee:

Wow..the death of Solomon and the ruling of Rehoboam..what’s sad is that I feel like in all of Solomons wisdom he would have taught a few things to his future predecessor like respect your elders..choose wisely. But I think maybe Solimon was distracted and neglected to teach the child err-go he listened to young staff instead of wise ones and it set things in motion for the kingdom to be divided. It’s sad but not uncommon from today’s government and rulings. Many families neglect the important principles in teaching and training our children and then when the product is self destruction and me me me syndrome..we wonder why..h.mm

Acts..conversion of Saul/Paul. I hope to be as tenacious as Ananious and be a person to share and shed light for Jesus in future. I want to be that and hope I am for my friends.

Psalm 131 ..short verses..Learning to be still and listen to the Lord and get rest. This is so important and hard at times too..but rest and balance is so important for our mind, body and soul.

Proverbs 17: I pray I never mock the poor.. there are poor people everywhere and even if some have materials they could be spiritually poor. Everyone needs love and that security that we have in Jesus. It is so important and when we can help others..if it’s in our ability I just just do it. You will be blessed.

Dee

======= Vance:

I Kings 11 (NKJV)
4
For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.
5
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
6
Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David.
7
Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon.
8
And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.
~~~
NOTE:
I like this question from Mike:
“And can we learn not to repeat Solomon’s mistakes? How are you running the race?”
~~
Psalm 34 (NKJV)
18
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psalm 132 (NKJV)
13
For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:
14
“This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
SANCTITY – defined by Miriam Webster Dictionary
Etymology:
Middle English saunctite,
from Middle French saincteté,
from Latin sanctitat-, sanctitas, from sanctus sacred
SANCTITY means: holiness of life and character : GODLINESS
~~
According to Jewish tradition, the place for the Temple was the same place where Adam and Noah sacrificed.
This was the same place where Jacob set up a stone and an altar when God appeared to him at the place Jacob called Bethel (when he was running from Esau).
This was also the same place where Abraham offering his son Isaac for sacrifice.
This was the place where David found, where he set up an altar that was to be the site of the Temple.
OH… that we would seek the Lord like David did. If only Solomon had sought the Lord as his father had!
Also (very interesting), according to Jewish tradition, there was a Foundation Stone in front of the Ark in the Holy of Holies. The entire world began from this stone, the first part of the earth to be created.
MY NOTE: What is interesting to me is that at the PLACE of the NEW CREATION (2 Corinthians 5:17) – in our spirits—is the place where God greatly desires that His Presence dwell.
Inherent in God’s Presence is the demonstration of His manifest intensity and strength.
Isaiah 66 (NKJV)
1
Thus says the LORD: “ Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?
2
For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,” says the LORD. “ But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.
Matthew 5 (NKJV)
3
“ Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Vance

======= Maria:

Thanks for making this blog, I really wanted to read the daily readings in NIV and this helped me.
Maria