July 25th readings
~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14 ~ Romans 9:1-24
Psalm 19:1-14 ~ Proverbs 20:1
Old Testament - Today in 2 Chronicles chapter 15 we read about Asa's religious reforms. Verse 16 tells us - "King Asa even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene Asherah pole. He cut down the pole, broke it up, and burned it in the Kidron Valley."
New Testament - Powerful readings from Paul today in Romans chapter 9. A portion of verse 6 made me think about Christians today - "Not everyone born into a Jewish family is truly a Jew!" Do you think that everyone born into a Christian family today is truly a Christian? I know our various denominations will have various degrees / times / ceremonies that will mark becoming a Christian. But I think we'd pretty much agree that just because you are born into a Christian family doesn't mean that you are necessarily Christian. Meaning, I think there has to come a time in each of our lives where we consciously believe in faith that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. We need to own our faith at some point - not just be a "cultural" Christian because it's what our family and friends are. I believe at some point in our life we need to enter into relationship with God through his son Jesus through faith. Again, I know this is going to be viewed a bit differently by different denominations in the body of Christ. Let us pray for our friends and family members who are perhaps currently "cultural" Christians. Let us pray that they will enter into a loving and growing relationship with God through Jesus. Side note - I was prayed into the Kingdom by some amazing friends! (thanks Chad & Becky & Becky & others!) It is true. Prayer for your friends and family is powerful. Please pray for them regularly.
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "Man Opposes; God Disposes" is at this link and "Divine Election is Questioned" is at this link.
Psalms - Today we read Psalm 19, which is one of my favorite Psalms! In large part this Psalm is one of my favorites because one of my former pastors taught from this Psalm a few years ago in such a powerful way. (Actually, this same pastor is participating with us in the One Year Bible readings this year – hi John! :) Thanks for your powerful ministry!) I find verse 14 in this Psalm to be so powerful – again in large part because this pastor wrote a worship song that simply repeats this verse over and over again – and what a beautiful prayer it is for each of us to repeat over and over again – “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Are the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart pleasing in God’s sight? Is God your Rock? Is God your Redeemer? Why would the Psalmist use the word “heart” in this verse? Why is the heart so important to God? Do you live your life from your heart? Do you worship God from your heart?
Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 19 is at this link.
Proverbs - Proverbs 20 verse 1 today reminds me of the need for and success of our modern day Alcoholics Anonymous - "Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise." I don't have personal experience with AA, but have heard very good things about it from so many folks. I do love the AA Serenity Prayer - I think this prayer is a great prayer for all of us - "God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference." Amen.
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
II Chronicles 14:1-16:15
Warning, warning, warning! This is what I see in the life of Asa, a warning. Asa ruled forty-one years and of those years it seems thirty-four, possibly thirty-five Asa relied, and trusted in God. But then … Why did Asa turn and trust in the treasury of silver and gold that had been acquired because he trusted in God?
A little over 85% of his reign was a good reign. He stopped running a good race after God as he got closer to the finish line. Why did he stop?
May we not follow Asa’s example and give up and give out as we approach the finish line. Take a clue from the Apostle Paul,
For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day — and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.
(2Ti 4:6-8 NET)
Romans 9:1-24
O to have the heart for my people as Paul does for his. To grieve over those who are lost. But Paul is grieving for a people who have been given the Truth and rejected it. Giving people a precious gift and having them reject it must break the heart of God. He gave us Jesus Christ, a gift, but many after having known Him, like King Asa reject the free gift of God and turn and rely on our own strength or the strength of our substance, which belongs to God anyway ‘cause He made everything. .
Psalm 19:1-14
Yes Mike this is a sweet Psalm. Verses seven through eight are awesome and give instructions on finding ones’ true identity, for emotional and mental healing, wisdom, completeness and wholeness, insight and what so many people search for but is always elusive, joy. We look for significance in what we can afford, the people we think we know and our jobs and level of education; but David writes that all that can be found in obeying the commands and commandments of the Lord.
Proverbs 20:1
WINE IS a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; and whoever errs or reels because of it is not wise.
(Pro 20:1 AMP)
This very interesting Proverb deserves to be looked at in many ways. You can either look at wine and strong drink, in this passage, literarily, figuratively and/or symbolically.
I know a young man, a youth minister who used this Proverb as a foundation scripture for speaking to youth about sex and the “pick-up” lines guys and girls use to get it. He divides those seeking to fulfill their sexual desires into two categories, wine folk and beer or hard alcohol folk. One is cunning and smooth in their approach and the other is in your face and out there being upfront in what they want. To give in based on the type of approach and not on the commands of God is all the same in the end. You find yourself falling down, stinking drunk from the effects of a mind altering and defense lowering individual.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by:Ramona | July 25, 2005 at 11:07 PM
Mike,
Thanks for acknowledging AA and the Serenity prayer. I am a long time AA member blessed with over 20 years of sobriety. This is my first time/year going through the Bible. I have never called myself a Christian until the last year plus however I am constantly amazed how my experience with AA and the twelve steps apply to Christianity and vice versa. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states “be quick to see where religious people are right”. Just a small line of many amazing “one liners” in the book. I highly recommend anyone to read it for additional Sprirtual inspiration as well as a solid understanding of how AA really works. http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/
Your comment on today’s Proverb inspired me to do a google search. I found an interesting link describing the brief history of the Serenity Prayer: http://open-mind.org/Serenity.htm
In addition I would like to share another Prayer common to AA:
I am not sure where it came from but it clearly has “Biblical” tone:
AA’s 3rd step. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
AA 3rd step Prayer: God, I offer myself to Thee, to build with me and do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always. Amen
Sound like anything you have read in he Bible?
Thank you so much for doing this blog. It helps both me and my wife in this new and exciting journey to know God better through Jesus Christ.
God Bless
Anonymous: Eleven—Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
Posted by:Anonymous | July 26, 2005 at 12:24 AM