One Year Bible Blog

June 13th One Year Bible Readings

1 Kings 11:1-12:19 ~ Acts 9:1-25 ~ Psalm 131:1-3 ~ Proverbs 17:4-5
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

June 12th One Year Bible Readings

1 Kings 9:1-10:29 ~ Acts 8:14-40 ~ Psalm 130:1-8 ~ Proverbs 17:2-3
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or ESV Bible: OT+ NT+ Psalms+ Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Well, we can gather from today's First Kings readings that Solomon was clearly wise and rich!  I have to confess... when I was reading today's readings I briefly thought to myself, "well, it was just inherited wealth from his father David..."  :)  How wrong was this thinking!  Yes, David was certainly wealthy and Solomon inherited the throne if you will.  But Solomon had to administer the Kingdom, including the building of the Temple and the Palace, which were no small tasks!  He was able to do this successfully I think because he asked God for wisdom - rather than riches or wealth - earlier in First Kings.  Solomon sought God first and asked for wisdom, and I do think God blessed him with riches too.  You'll recall that Jesus referred to "Solomon's splendor" in the Sermon on the Mount when he talked about the lilies of the field and his teachings on not worrying, from Matthew 6:29:  "Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."  Below is a painting of Solomon in all of his splendor in "The Queen of Sheba before Solomon" by Nicolas Knupfer, c. 1640:

These are very interesting readings today.  The thing that I'm thinking about now, after reading about Solomon's wealth and wisdom - and also thinking back to David's warrior skills - is that it is not surprising to me that many people in Jesus' day were expecting a differing kind of Messiah.  When Jesus came on the scene, people were reading these sacred texts of King David and King Solomon.  They were reading about how wise and wealthy and what great warriors these Kings were.  And these Kings were shown great favor by God.  So - surely the coming Messiah would be all of this and more!  Right??  Well... no.  As we know Jesus was not a Warrior-Messiah.  He did not come to set free the Jews from the Roman rule by the sword.  Jesus did not come into the world with wealth - he came into the world in a stable with animals nearby.  Now - in terms of wisdom, yes, obviously Jesus was wiser than David or Solomon of course.  But in terms of being wealthy and being a warrior - Jesus was neither - on this earth.  However - in the heavenly realm Jesus is obviously wealthy beyond all comprehension.  And he is a warrior for you and for me.  He is battling for the souls of men and women.  He leads a legion of angels against a legion of darkness.  Jesus is not meek.  Nor is he eternally poor.  But... what an interesting contrast of how Jesus was not a warrior nor wealthy during his time here on earth - and he warned us against both of these trappings.  What to make of all of this?  I'm not sure.  I'm full-on going stream of consciousness writing here.  :) I think the take-away for me is this - Solomon rightly sought after wisdom above all else.  (He wrote many of the Proverbs!)  And Jesus was of course wise beyond all measure.  So, I think for you and I the key to life is first and foremost to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior - this is the wisest decision we will ever make.  And after we have accepted Jesus, then we need to actually follow him.  Follow his teachings.  Follow his wisdom.  And as we follow Jesus, we really should not be concerned about being wealthy or being a warrior.  Perhaps these things will be part of our Walk in some regard.  But they should not be the focus.  Jesus should be the focus.  Godly wisdom should be the focus.  What is the focus in your life?  Is it Jesus?  Is it godly wisdom?  Are you following Jesus with all that you are?  Are taking up your cross daily?  Are you following Jesus all the way up that hill?

Okay, back to today's readings.  I do think map's can often give us a great overview / understanding of what we're reading about in the Bible.  I think now is a good time to show a good map of Solomon's Kingdom compared to modern day Israel, below.  Take a few minutes to really study this map and reflect upon places you recognize from today's readings and previous day's readings:

At the very end of First Kings chapter 9 today we read these interesting verses 26-28: "Later King Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, a port near Elath in the land of Edom, along the shore of the Red Sea. Hiram sent experienced crews of sailors to sail the ships with Solomon's men. They sailed to Ophir and brought back to Solomon some sixteen tons of gold."  You will see the port of Elath in the map above.  Then, the big question I had today was where is Ophir?  Well, it turns out that Ophir was likely in the land of "Sheba" from whence Queen Sheba comes to visit Solomon!  So, it is interesting to see how these last 3 verses in chapter 9 lead us to First Kings 10 today we read about the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon.  Below is about the best map I could find with the land of Sheba, and Ophir, in comparison to Israel.  The Queen obviously traveled quite a distance in those days to visit Solomon!  And I think we can now understand how she learned of Solomon - he built a fleet of ships and sailed them to her land!

New Testament - Wow.  Acts chapter 8 verses 18 & 19 should be a warning to each of us to not lose sight of where spiritual power truly comes from - "When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given when the apostles placed their hands upon people's heads, he offered money to buy this power. "Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!""  Scary stuff...  but I have a hunch this type of thing still happens today.  People want to "buy" faith or buy spiritual power.  God ain't selling it.  It's a free gift.  Salvation is free.  It ain't for sale.  I pray that each of us realizes that our faith in Jesus is a free gift.  We didn't buy it.  We didn't earn it.  And we most definitely should not exploit our free gift of faith in any way for $.  That is scary to consider.  And if we are blessed with what appears to be spiritual power in any way, I pray we realize that this power comes only from God, and not from ourselves.  And if we ever happen to think that spiritual power comes from ourselves, then I am sure we will quickly learn the maxim - "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away."  Spiritual power goes bankrupt quick if we ever try to claim it as our own...

Today in Acts chapter 8 we read about Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch. In verses 34 and 35, just after the eunuch has finished reading verses in Isaiah 53 about Jesus, we will read – “The eunuch asked Phillip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else? Then Phillip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”  I wonder about this in our lives today – do you think there are people that you know who are trying to understand who God is and what God is saying, just like this eunuch was trying to understand? Are there people in your life who may be seeking God and Jesus? If so, will you be like Phillip was for this eunuch for these people in your life? Will you begin with wherever these people are (“that very passage”), even if they are very far from God, and begin to share with them the good news about Jesus? Yes, this story about the Ethiopian eunuch is a very quick conversion story. Not all of our stories of having conversations with others seeking God will turn out like this. In fact, I’d venture to say that many will take many months and maybe even several years. But, even if it takes a lifetime of conversations with someone about the good news of Jesus, isn’t it worth it? Who in your life is God calling you to share the good news about Jesus with? Will you begin those conversations now? And, perhaps most importantly, will you begin praying for those that God has placed in your life – praying that they will come to understand who God truly is?

Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "Simon and Simon" is at this link and commentary titled "The Ethiopian Eunuch" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 130 is amazing today!  Each verse is jam packed with good stuff to think about....  Actually - if you get a chance - please read through each of these verses again, and meditate for a moment on each one and what each verse might be speaking into your life and your heart.  I think you will find tons of relevant meditations in this Psalm for your life.  Today in Psalm 130 verse 5 we read - "I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word."  Are you counting on God in your life?  Really counting on him?  Have you put your hope in his Word, the Bible?  Do you believe that reading and meditating and reflecting on the Bible can transform your life and your relationship with God? What is your plan to stay in God’s Word each and every day for the rest of your life?  (I hope it is the One Year Bible! :) Should you have a plan to be in God’s Word each and every day?

Proverbs - I love Proverbs chapter 17 verse 3 today - "Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart."  I think sometimes in our lives we tend to forget to live from our hearts.  We live from our minds I think so often - and we can tend to silence our hearts.  But God wants our hearts.  He wants our hearts to be fully his.  God oftentimes will speak to us through our hearts - sometimes I find that God's "still small voice" or God's whisper can only be discerned through my heart.  So, let us live from our hearts.  And let us realize that God is very interested in our hearts - and will test the purity of our hearts.  The heart is so critically important for our spiritual life...  how is the landscape of your heart today?  What would God find inside your heart right now?  Is your heart pure?  Is your heart for God?

Worship God: Philip's evangelism in today's readings in Acts reminded me of the Casting Crowns song "Does Anybody Hear Her" and our call to evangelism of others in our life today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEhRucEVzH8c

Are you running in the wrong direction?  Click here and turn around!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart." Proverbs 17:3 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that your heart is pure. Pray that your heart is filled with love. Pray that your heart has faith in Jesus. Pray that your heart is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What was your reaction today to reading about "Solomon's splendor" in First Kings?  Did you view this wealth of Solomon's as a blessing from God or perhaps as excess?  What's your reaction to seeing this level of wealth of Solomon's versus Jesus' lack of wealth while walking the earth?  What about in today's world - is there such a thing as too much wealth?  Should we seek material wealth for our lives?  Or should we be seeking other things?  Should we seek to be like Solomon?  Or like Jesus?  Or perhaps like both?  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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

June 11th One Year Bible Readings

1 Kings 8:1-66 ~ Acts 7:51-8:13 ~ Psalm 129:1-8 ~ Proverbs 17:1
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Today we read about the Ark of the Covenant being brought into the Temple!

In verses 10 & 11 we read: "As the priests came out of the inner sanctuary, a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple."  It is thought that the cloud of the presence of God here in the Temple was the same cloud of the presence of God that guided the Israelites by day through the desert as they left Egypt for the Promised Land, as you'll recall from this image below:

Solomon's prayer in today's readings is awesome!  Verses 12 & 13 at the start of the prayer are interesting to contrast with a later verse: "Then Solomon prayed, "O LORD, you have said that you would live in thick darkness. But I have built a glorious Temple for you, where you can live forever!"  These verses seem quite bold and confident...  and maybe even seem to our modern ears that Solomon is trying to put God "in a box."  But, then I was very pleased to read Solomon say this in verse 27 - "But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!"  Clearly, Solomon gets it that God is bigger than the Temple and that God does not "need" the Temple for a home.  But, as we read about the cloud of God's presence coming into the Temple, it is apparent that God is certainly pleased with the Temple. I think God was pleased that the Israelites were building a Temple to honor God and his name & fame.  It was a Temple for God.  And though God did not "need" it, I think he appreciated it.  I think God appreciated "King" Solomon and the Israelites praying to and honoring God as the true King of Israel.  Below is an image of Solomon's prayer and the dedication of the Temple:

New Testament - Today is a sad day of readings as we read about the stoning of Stephen - the first Christian martyr.  Verses 59 & 60 are incredible and reminiscent of Jesus on the cross: "And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And he fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died."  Below is Rembrandt's "The Stoning of Stephen" from the year 1625:

In verse 58 we are ominously introduced to who we now know as Paul, the author of many of the epistles in the Bible:  "The official witnesses took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul."  This laying of coats at Saul's feet may be signifying that Saul was the highest official at the stoning of Stephen and may be signifying that Saul gave permission for this stoning of Stephen to occur.  Saul is Paul's Hebrew name.  Paul is his Greek name.  (which is a significant distinction, as Paul's ministry reaches out to the Gentiles, including the Greeks - hence going from the Hebrew name Saul to the Greek name Paul is significant)   In a few chapters ahead we will learn about Saul's encounter with Jesus and how his persecution of Christians will soon take a dramatic U-turn...   Take a look at the cloaked figure in the image below to the left - this looks to me to be Saul watching over the stoning of Stephen with coats laid at his feet.  (and I think Saul is in Rembrant's painting above to the left on the horse)  God has an amazing conversion for Saul coming up...

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Acts titled "The Stoning of Stephen" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 129 is a prayer for the continuing withering of Israel's enemies and verse 4 likely represents a celebration from Babylonian captivity - "But the LORD is good; he has cut the cords used by the ungodly to bind me." How about in our lives today?  Has Jesus cut any cords used by the ungodly to bind you?  Are there still some cords being used by the ungodly to bind you?  Will you let Jesus cut those cords?  Will you let Jesus free you from that captivity?  Do you believe that Jesus is good and that he wants to cut the cords that bind you?  Do you believe that Jesus cares for you?

Proverbs - Proverbs 17 verse 1 is so very wise... "A dry crust eaten in peace is better than a great feast with strife." I don't know about you, but this Proverb hits home.  I have eaten very simple meals in peace that have been so beautiful.  And I have also eaten at great feasts filled with drama and angst and strife.  The world may preach to us that the latter is better - the feast with all it's drama.  But, I think the still small quiet voice of God through the Bible indicates the former is better.  Which do you think is better?  The peaceful crust or the strifeful feast? 

Below is an image of a "strifeful feast" to say the least from the artist Rembrandt again.  This is from Daniel chapter 5 verses 1 through 6 - "King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them.  While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote.  His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way."  (As Paul Harvey would say, check out the rest of this story in Daniel chapter 5 at this link and learn what the writing on the wall means!  Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin!)

Worship Video: Today's readings in First Kings about the Ark of the Covenant being brought to the Temple reminds me of the Build 429 song "Where I Belong:"

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

Do you know were you belong?  Click here to find out where you belong!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife." Proverbs 17:1 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray for peace in your home. Pray for a quiet spirit of love in your home. Pray against any signs of strife in your home.

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

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

June 10th One Year Bible Readings

1 Kings 7:1-50 ~ Acts 7:30-50 ~ Psalm 128:1-6 ~ Proverbs 16:31-33
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Today we read about the building of King Solomon's Palace! Here is an interesting note in Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion on the Sea discussed in verse 23 - "Then Huram cast a large round tank, 15 feet across from rim to rim; it was called the Sea. It was 7 1/2 feet deep and about 45 feet in circumference."  Apparently the sea was a huge tank that could hold approximately 12,000 gallons of water.  It was used by the priests for their ceremonial washings.  Impressive structure per the image below!

New Testament - Stephen's great sermon to the temple council continues today!  Great timing on his sermonizing in verses 46 through 50 related to the Temple Solomon built - ""David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who actually built it. However, the Most High doesn't live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says, `Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that?' asks the Lord. `Could you build a dwelling place for me? Didn't I make everything in heaven and earth?'"  The last 2 verses came from Isaiah chapter 66 verses 1 & 2 (as the prophet says..)  Indeed it is true!  We do not need a temple for God today.  God does not live in a temple built by human hands.  I have heard it said before - "If you are in relationship with God through his son Jesus, you are God's temple."  Do you believe this is true?  Do you believe that your body is a temple that God can live in?

A great look at the characteristics of Stephen's sermon today is at Bible.org at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 128 verse 1 stands out today: "How happy are those who fear the LORD-- all who follow his ways!" Do you think it is possible to be happy and to fear God at the same time?  Do you believe a healthy fear of God is, well, healthy?  Why would we fear God - God who loves us immensely?  What is this Psalmist saying to us today in our lives?

Proverbs - I love Proverbs 16 verse 31 today!  "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life."  Let us pray that we all get gray hair - and be thankful for it!  Don't dye it away.  It is a crown of glory!

Worship God: Today's readings remind me of Tauren Wells’ terrific song “Hills and Valleys:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4rRCjrAyCs

Do you know the God of the hills and valleys?  Click here and Be Known!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." Proverbs 16:31 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you will one day have a crown of splendor of gray hair. Pray that you will live a righteous life through faith in Jesus. Pray that you love, respect and serve those in your life today that have a crown of splendor of gray hair.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Per Psalm 128:1 today, what are some ways that you are literally "fearing the Lord" in your life today?  Do you agree with the Psalmist that those who fear the Lord are happy?  Why or why not?  Have you gone through periods of your life where you did not fear the Lord?  Were you happy then?  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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

June 9th One Year Bible Readings

1 Kings 5:1-6:38 ~ Acts 7:1-29 ~ Psalm 127:1-5 ~ Proverbs 16:28-30
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Wow.  Big readings today in First Kings. Solomon builds the Temple of the Lord!  Below is "King Solomon praying before the Temple" by Bonito, c. 1750:

It is great to read about Solomon & King Hiram of Tyre's dialogue and agreement to send cedars and cypress from Lebanon to Jerusalem for the Temple.  You'll recall in our readings from 2 Samuel chapter 5 verse 11 that Hiram indeed was a loyal friend of David just after David conquered Jerusalem - "Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David."  Below is a beautiful stain glassed image of King Hiram of Tyre in the forests of Lebanon:

So why were cedars and cypress from Lebanon used for the temple and not wood from Israel?  Well, because these precious woods from Lebanon were very close-grained, rot-resistant, and very hard.  They were also beautiful and had a fragrant scent.  Below is an image of Cedar of Lebanon - also known as Cedrus Libanotica.

1 Kings 6 verse 7 tells us - "The stones used in the construction of the Temple were prefinished at the quarry, so the entire structure was built without the sound of hammer, ax, or any other iron tool at the building site."  This shows how reverent the workers were in building the temple of the Lord.  They felt it was honoring to build on the temple site without the sound of an iron tool.  In 1 Kings 5 verses 13 & 14 I thought Solomon's wisdom was incredible - "Then King Solomon enlisted 30,000 laborers from all Israel. He sent them to Lebanon in shifts, 10,000 every month, so that each man would be one month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of this labor force."  He wisely cared for his workforce!  Below is an image of the workers building the temple -

New Testament - Today we read the beginning of Stephen's amazing sermon to the Sanhedrin in the Temple.  You'll recall from yesterday's readings in Acts 6 verses 8 through 10 - "Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them was able to stand against the wisdom and Spirit by which Stephen spoke."

So, men began to lie about Stephen, and then we get into the sermon Stephen gives to the council today.  It is clearly a great sermon today from Stephen!  Today he is beginning to set the stage for his zinger closing statements.  He's like a lawyer today laying out his opening arguments for the case.  Unfortunately, things will not proceed well in the coming days readings for Stephen.  After he concludes this speech, Stephen will soon be the first Christian martyr...

A great look at the characteristics of Stephen's sermon today is at Bible.org at this link.

Psalms - It is interesting to note that Psalm 127 today is written by Solomon.  Think he might have written this around the time of building the temple? It would be very fitting!  Psalm 127 verse 1 I think I heard for the first time verbally a couple of years ago on a Habitat for Humanity job site. Each morning the volunteers would take turns leading devotions before the day’s build. One morning a volunteer read Psalm 127 verse 1 to all of us, which was absolutely fitting for working on a Habitat house - "Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good." Great stuff and I believe this verse is not only applicable to working on Habitat houses, but is very applicable in our own lives as well.  Are there things we are building or creating in our life that might be outside of God's will for our life?  Are we building these things on our own? If so, should we be building these things?  Will we take to prayer all that we build in our lives and seek God's guidance and blessing upon our work? Is God building our life or are we attempting to build with our own power? Is God protecting our life or are we attempting to protect ourselves with our own power?

Speaking of work, I also love verse 2 in this Psalm: "It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones." Great verse to combat our workaholic tendencies, no?  :)  Do you overwork yourself these days?  What for?  Is this pleasing to God?  Are you taking a Sabbath day of rest once a week to simply be in relationship with God?  To enjoy God's rest?

Proverbs - Proverbs 16:28 today teaches us:  "A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends."  I do have to admit here that I have been guilty of gossip all too frequently.  I think it's one of the easiest sins for many of us to fall into.  Everyone else is doing it, we might think, so why shouldn't we?  Well, we know why we shouldn't.  It's a sin.  And it's a sin that I'm afraid sometimes can be found all too often in churches.  I would take this Proverb a step further and say that gossip separates not only the best of friends, but separates the best of churches.  Let us stop the gossip in our lives and realize it is a sin!

Worship Video: Today's readings remind me of the For King & Country song "The Proof of Your Love:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA9IfB7coKg

Do you need proof of God's love for you?  Click here for proof!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." Psalm 127:1 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not doing anything in your life apart from the LORD. Pray that you are allowing God to work through you in all that you do. Pray without ceasing for God's Spirit to guide your every step.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Like me, have you ever struggled with gossip?  How have you been able to stop yourself from gossiping about others?  Have you ever stopped gossip from happening within a church?  Or have you ever just let it happen and fester?  Should we be more vigilant about stopping gossip within our churches and within our hearts and minds and on our own tongues?  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

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