1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81 ~ Acts 26:1-32 ~ Psalm 6:1-10 ~ Proverbs 18:20-21
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Old Testament - Today in First Chronicles chapter 5 we read about the tribes east of the Jordan River. This map will give you a good overview of the territory of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan. (along with the rest of the tribes)
Today in First Chronicles chapter 6 we read a genealogy of the Levites, the priestly tribe. I love that the temple musicians were included in the genealogy today! Check out verse 32: "They ministered with music before the tabernacle." Nice touch to include the artists. Think God likes music? And how true is this - that music ministers to us? I pray this is true for you. I know music ministers to me in such a profound way. Particularly Christian and worship music. Secular music I used to love - and it can still be interesting to listen to. But the only music these days that truly seems to "minister" to me is Christian music or praise and worship music. Certainly the music I sing in church every week! Is music ministering to you these days?
New Testament - Today in Acts 26 verses 24 & 25 we read: “At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.”” Have you ever questioned your sanity when thinking about Christianity? :) Don’t worry – I think it is okay if you have. I honestly think that Christianity is the most logical thing of all time – but, I do understand why many in the world may view Christianity as crazy. (or that maybe even we ourselves at times have thought “this is crazy”) The bottom line is this – I believe every human being has faith in something. We may have faith in Jesus. Or we may have faith in a “cosmic being.” Or we may have faith in crystals. Or we may have faith in atheism. (yes, I believe atheism is too a faith – in nothingness – but a faith nonetheless.) Or we may have faith in altruism or government or nature. We all have faith in something. Faith is our human nature. I believe the statistic is that 85%+ of the world’s population believes in something beyond themselves. We are spiritual beings. And if then we are spiritual beings, then I think it is perfectly logical for us to seek out who our Maker truly is. And to seek out whom our Savior truly is. And to seek out what will lead us to Eternal life. I’ve gone through this seeking phase big time in my early life. And I do believe it was the Holy Spirit that led me to Jesus ultimately. And now, once in relationship with Jesus, I believe that Christianity is the most logical faith there is. Do you believe what Paul says to Festus in these verses? Do you believe that Christianity is true and reasonable? I believe even Spock would find Christianity logical! :)
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "Paul's Appeal to Aggripa" is at this link. Below is an image of Paul´s Defense Before Agrippa by C.F. Vos:
Psalms - As I read Psalm 6, it seems very penitential to me - like David was making a confession of sins and praying for forgiveness from God. As you read through these verses, have you ever felt like this? I have. And it ain't fun. But, it's part of the healing process. I do think we need to allow ourselves to get fully broken before God before we get fully healed. We can't mask over or hide from God what's really going on - we have got to put it all out there on the table before God, for him to be able to truly fix it. However - there is great encouragement and confidence from David in this Psalm in verse 9: "The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer." The Lord will hear your plea! The Lord will answer your prayer! Please plea and pray to him if you need to. He will listen and answer.
Proverbs - I love Proverbs 18 verse 20 today: "Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person's lips bring satisfaction." This is so true. I of course first think of God's Word, the Bible, in the first part of this Proverb. God's Word truly does satisfy, nourish and feed our souls! And then the 2nd part of this Proverb reminds me of Psalm 19 verse 14: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." How are the words coming out of your mouth these days? Are they pleasing in God's sight?
Worship God: Today's readings remind me of Tenth Avenue North's song "Love is Here:"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sBuajPzBTw
Has our mighty God saved you? Click here for salvation!
Do you believe Love is Here? Click here for Love!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping." Psalm 6:8 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that those who do evil would not be near to you today. Pray that God would save evil-doers. Pray that evil-doers would turn from their sins and repent.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: 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
1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81
The phrase, “The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari” is repeated twice in the 6th chapter. The first time in verse one and the second time in verse 16. I’m wondering if God is trying to tell us something in His repeating of who the sons of Levi are. As the tribe appointed to minister in the Tabernacle/Temple and to God, I’m wondering if He is emphasizing who is to lead the church. Maybe I’m focused on that because I am aware that almost every Tom, Dick and Harry, as well as Sally, Jane and Sue want to run the church. A lot of people want to be Large and In-Charge when it comes to the things of God. Hmmm.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | July 07, 2012 at 06:45 PM
What should we think of the many verses in the Bible that are plainly wrong, contradictory, or even (by today's standards) evil?
Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
Exodus 21:20-21 When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged. But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, for the slave is his money.
1 Peter 2:13-14 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
Since God knows all (past, present, future), why are all his explicit commandments, as above, relevant only to that barbaric time, and none that are explicit for today? Shouldn't some of the Bible be directed specifically to "future times"? Why does it appear that God speaks only to an unchanging past?
Posted by: Dan Donaldson | July 12, 2012 at 01:07 PM