Scripture
II Kings 10
Remember that movie “The 300″? Yeah, that’s what I’m picturing after today’s read. Take a break and read it if you haven’t. Go ahead . . . I’ll wait.
So, Jehu is calling the shots. He starts out by calling for the heads of princes just to prove loyalty . . . wow. Then, he cleans house (quite brutally) against the worshipers of Baal. The word “ruthless” is all over this. He was absolutely resolute in what he was called to do and didn’t ask questions, cater to anyone other than God, or back down.
Let’s take a snapshot of that attitude and apply it to our walk and stand for God - without the bloodshed I hope. I want to be absolute in my stand. So many times I bend and allow things to influence my thinking. The world creeps in . . . that influence needs to be trapped in a big room and destroyed! (see the chapter above and you’ll get that!).
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Scripture
1 Kings 3
I did some research to see when Solomon became king. I couldn’t find a quick answer (lowsy internet!), but do think he was young. I know Old Testament “young” might differ from these days! I was thinking after reading of Solomon’s asking God for wisdom today . . . he seemed pretty wise already to ask for that! I would hope I’d ask for the same, but let’s be real - it’s almost the genie in a bottle question. If God asked me for whatever I’d like, if I’m honest, it’s all about taking care of me and my family. It’s all about making me comfortable and getting the “good life”. And, even more honestly, that’s what I ask for many times in prayer.
And that seems quite selfish when reading today’s passage. There’s a bigger plan - much bigger - than our individual lives. And, if we are to be useful tools for that plan, I’m thinking we need to ask for a little bit more to equip us than the light bill!
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Scripture
2 Timothy 1:9
Read 1 Kings 2 today . . . more killing and transition to Solomon. Did catch the verse of the day though (linked above).
“who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,”- 2 Timothy 1:9
Do you ever just come back around to the fact that God is SO much bigger than what we are (or will ever be)? I was discussing planets with Maggie (7) last week before bed. She’s been studying the 9 planets (yes, Pluto, you’ll always be a planet to me!). She’s really interested into this stuff (as is her nerd father), so we got into a pretty good discussion. We went through each planet and she gave me the composition and whether it was a solid or gas planet . . . . I was impressed, of course. So, after explaining that Pluto’s all the way out there and is the last planet in our solar system, the question came. “What’s after Pluto, daddy?”, she asked. Suddenly, at even 26 years difference in age, we were on the same level. “Well, there are more stars and galaxies and most likely planets”, I said. Then, the inevitable question - “Where does it stop?”. I responded that it doesn’t and if it does, only God knows. You could see the wheels in both of our minds turning as we tried to grasp just how big the universe is. It simply cannot be measured by man.
Back to the second half of that verse - “. . . before the beginning of time”. It was all planned out that we should be saved through grace. That’s one of those mind boggling things too, but I’m so glad all we have to do is accept it. Even unbelievers can accept the vastness of space . . . but that doesn’t give the peace that passes all understanding. Jesus does.
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Perfect opener tonight. I’m keeping the kids this week while Alison is on a school trip (OK, their grandmother is sharing quite a bit of the load!). Anyway, Jake and Maggie were fussing (imagine that) tonight at supper and I had to reprimand Maggie. I was fortunately listening when Jake spoke up to say, “Maggie, you have to mind daddy. Mommy’s not here, so he’s the boss!” Thanks, Jake, I’m touched by your respect . . . now go to bed.
Scripture
1 Kings 1
OK, so I’m back to 1 Kings. I sang with our choir at a revival tonight and the sermon was from 2 Kings. OK, OK, I did the “trail off reading scripture during the sermon” routine - but just a little! I and II Kings just read so well!
Today, chapter 1 starts out with Adonijah wanting to be king after David and, well, just saying it was so without the real King’s knowledge. By simply proclaiming it, he gathered quite a few followers and they had their little party for him. Well, it turned out to be short lived. Big Dave found out about it, then vetoed Adonijah’s move by granting the promise to Bathsheba to make Solomon King (a wise choice . . . couldn’t resist).
So, there it was - while Adonijah had worked it out to be king himself, the one with all authority chose a different path and all of Adonijah’s scheming was in vain . . . just like that. I did that once (or twice . . . thrice!). We run up on things that are obviouse triumphs to us, so we take them. Don’t pray about it . . . don’t confide in your brother or sister . . . certainly don’t consult the Bible. I sometimes look at material things that way. There are so many things that we haveto have that just end up tossed aside and useless. Or, you achieve something for the exaltation of yourself and the short lived fame soon withers and you’re back to wanting that attention.
It is so important to realize that God, in the end, will prevail and His outcome will be the best for everyone. And the sooner we realize that His goals are waaay much worthier and fulfilling, the sweeter the accomplishments we’ll find.
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Scripture
Job 23:10-11
Being the techy guy, I usually read scripture from a website called Bible Gateway (the link above links there). Usually, I just dive in to the next chapter, but today they had a random scripture on the main page that caught my eye. I’ll just quote it below since it’s just two verses:
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.”
As I make my way, I’m finding more and more that life really is hard sometimes. There are real struggles and hurts to deal with every day. The first portion of this passage is awesome, because I’ve experienced it. God does know the way that we take - He’s God, afterall. But, that we would come forth as gold . . . there’s a hope for ya.
Now, that second part is a bit tougher to swallow. Lizzie (my 1-year-old) just discovered the classic childhood rite of passage - stepping into my shoes! I mean, how great a feeling is that (for the child and the father)? It was when she slid her foot into that seemingly gargantuan shoe that I raced back 30 years (whew, long race) to my own father’s shoes. I mean it was right down to the same Allen Edmond namesake and everything! It’s natural to want to “do what daddy does” and I’m thankful and fearful of that at the same time. How great that we have the perfect Father to “closely follow His steps”. Unlike man’s, they are always on the right path. They’re the biggest of all shoes to fill, but like Lizzie found as she tried her dad’s on - he was smiling with every attempt she made to move forward in them. Even if there was a stumble.
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Scripture
1 John 2
I was just about to pass over writing today (if something doesn’t strike me, I don’t write about it, lest I really turn up the boredom level!). I got to verses 28 at the end of the chapter. “. . . continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” was the second part of the verse. Now, I certainly don’t want to place pastors on a higher plane of righteousness than a layman, but isn’t it funny how we react if and when our pastor comes over to visit or to eat? It’s like a clean room when he gets there and you’ve spent countless hours getting the place in perfect order (and, of course, you mention “don’t mind the house” as he enters).
That’s sort of how I view this verse. But, the ironic part is, God’s already here. It’s not like He’s scheduling a time to come see us. For the Christian, He lives within us! So, he’s right along there with us and any trash we might accumulate.
I just had another thought. I’ve been using the above analogy for that verse concerning a frenzied clean-up session, but my wife is the epitome of “neat”. Every day is a series of either washing, or organizing, or cleaning which, in turn, makes for a spectacular homeplace. Everything is usually in order and if people do come over, it’s no big deal (do keep in mind, this is on her watch, not mine!). What’s interesting is that I have grown accustomed to doing the same thing (somewhat!). I’ll fall in line after Alison to get things back in order after the kids do their magic. Now, take that analogy and apply it. If we’re watching Jesus to see how to keep our lives in order and work at it day by day, we should have no worries or shame when we have a good visit with Him.
We won’t have to clean up around us just to get to the point of our prayers.
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Scripture
1 John 1
I can’t even focus on the scripture for today (though it was, of course, a good one). Just a few moments ago, before heading to church, Jake (my 4-year-old) did something that gave me pause (not a rare occurance). As I’ve probably stated in previous posts, he’s quite the Mario (Nintendo) fan and LOVES to play . . . or watch me play . . . the Mario game on his new portable system. Well, it’s been hectic as usual trying to get everyone ready to roll (but I had to jot this down!) and he was trying his best to get my attention to play more of the game. I couldn’t spare the time, however and said we’d play later. Well, he found a small Gideon’s bible and opened it to say, “See dad, right here in the Bible. It says about Mario Games. Dad’s, be nice to your sons!”. Let’s just say I gave out more than a chuckle at that one.
Then, I thought, maybe we do that too. Maybe we consider things we do as if they are surely stated in the Bible to justify them. Let’s be careful not to bend the Truth to our will.
Well, it’s on to church . . . maybe some Mario later!
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Scripture
1 Peter 4
Can you imagine what it was like to be a Christian after the death and resurrection of Christ? As I read today, it spoke of suffering. The only suffering I’ve ever done is fear ridicule from others about my walk with Christ. I mean, think about it - most people after the crucifixion, I would think, gave up on the idea that Jesus would rise from the grave. Even after all of the miracles and lives he brought back himself, it was back to the status quo for most. So, how much pressure would there have been to conform to the lost world? I’m thinking MUCH more than we face today. Yet, here we are 2,000 years later living in the Bible Belt of the greatest Christian nation ever known. It just puts things into perspective for me, that’s all! A message that powerful and true will last forever! We’ve got it good . . . too good?
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Scripture
James 4
Lots of good stuff in this passage (in this book!), but the words “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives . . . ” grabbed me. I was talking with some friends the other day about the current economy and such. We all came to the conclusion that, as a whole, our community and those in it when compared to 70 years ago has it pretty nice. We have what we need, so all that’s left over are wants. Now, I know there are circumstances in many lives regarding health and job loss and I don’t want to dicount those very important ordeals.
I think my oldest daughter and son get the whole idea alot better than me. It’s as simple as going to the bank and getting a sucker. “I want to get one for my brother” (or vice versa) is usually always spoken if one is without the other. For my brother . . . for my sister . . . just as I’m apt to give or buy something for my child when they want to give it away to another child that I love, don’t you think God is, in some way, like minded? What are your motives? I know mine are selfish much of the time. Let’s think outside our own boxes of the needs around us.
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Scripture
James 3
Wow, this passage takes me waaaaay back. In my early years, I grew up in a place called Okolona, MS (Van Vleet to be precise!). I attended First Baptist Church in Okolona and am blessed to have spent time there. I remember one kids’ sermon in particular (yeah, they had ‘em even back then). The speaker, I think it was a guest that morning, opened up with the question, “What is the strongest muscle in your body.” Of course, the boys around me immediately started flexing, which aroused immediate chuckles. But, everything died down when he said it was . . . the tongue.
To this six- year-old boy, that was crazy. I went home and spent the next few days wondering just how my tongue could, for instance, move a heavy object or maybe beat someone in a fight (try to imagine that scenario and not laugh). I wouldn’t realize what the message really meant until school started. We all know what kind of “lashings” we get - and give - when we’re in elementary school. I received and gave my share of it.
While they really can’t break your bones, words can, in many cases, harm you to your very core. What we say and how we say it affects so much in our lives. How does it go? They’ll know we are Christians by our love. What’s an obvious way for people to pick up on our feelings? By what we say every day . . . even how we say it.
“Oh be careful, little mouths, what you say . . .”
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