The reading plan for this week is as follows:
* Sunday (epistles): I Corinthians 1-2
* Monday (the Law): Genesis 32-35
* Tuesday (history): Judges 17-21
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 24-26
* Thursday (poetry): Job 17-18
* Friday (prophecy): Isaiah 45-50
* Saturday (gospels): Matthew 23-25
There are some tough parts of scripture this week, especially the description of two "rapes", one of the concubine of a Levite in the last chapters of the book of Judges - which in my opinion is probably one of the darkest part of scripture, if not the darkest part. And the other rape concerns Dina, Jacob's daughter, and the revenge by her brothers, another dark part in the history of God's people. The Bible is honest about this, and does not cover up these dark stories, but uses them as life lessons for us to teach us wrong from right.
For this week's soap analysis we look at Jacob's encounter with God in Genesis 35:
Scripture
Genesis 35:3: "We are now going to Bethel where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has stayed with me wherever I have gone."
Observation
In this chapter of the book of Genesis, we see Jacob return to Bethel -- which means "House of God" -- where he had his first encounter with God, over 20 years ago. At that time, he was on the run for his brother Esau who wanted to kill him because Jacob had betrayed him. He ran away from his elderly home to his uncle Laban with just a staff in his hand and clothes on his body.
Now, more than 20 years later, he has established himself as a patriarch: Father of 12 sons and at least 1 daughter, and grandfather of many. Owner of a huge livestock. Wealthy. God had given him rest and brought him back to the Promised Land. God had answered all his prayers, and had delivered him from the distress he was in. Most recently, in Chapter 33, God had delivered him from the wrath of Esau. Jacob was still under the impression that Esau wanted to kill him, even after 20 years. Jacob cries out to God in Gen. 32:11: "Oh God, please rescue me from my brother Esau..." And God answers this prayer as well. Chapter 33 always touches me, when Jacob and Esau reconcile, and the two brothers show "real love" for one another, probably for the first time in their life.
Then comes chapter 35. In verse 1, God instructs Jacob to go back to Bethel to settle there, to build him an altar, and to worship him. Jacob responds right away, because he remembers his vow to the Lord in Gen. 28:20-22 all to well: "If God will be with me and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothing, and if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God. This memorial pillar will become a place of worshiping God, and I will give God a tenth of everything he gives me."
God gives him a "friendly reminder" that now is the time to fulfill that promise, and Jacob responds in 35:3. I just love that verse: "... the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has stayed with me wherever I have gone."
Application
God is a God who keeps his promises, no matter what. He stays with us, wherever we go. And he answers our prayers, especially when we are in distress. Many times I forget who God is and His power to deliver me when I'm in distress, but even so many times, God will give me a "friendly reminder" of who he is, and how he is there to deliver me from whatever situation I'm in. I hope you can relate and that you can tell your own stories of the times God has answered your prayers. In response, we worship him for all he has done, just like Jacob did at Bethel.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for answering our prayers when we are in distress. We thank you for your friendly reminders in the good times, to not forget who you are, and to continue to worship you. Help us to never forget. You are worthy of all our praise. In Jesus' name - Amen.
Have a great week.
In Him,
Dick
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Week 8: Accepting Each Other as Christ Accepts Us
This week's Scripture reading unfolds like this:
Sunday: Romans 15-16
Monday: Genesis 28-31
Tuesday: Judges 12-16
Wednesday Psalms 21-23
Thursday: Job 15-16
Friday: Isaiah 40-44
Saturday: Matthew 20-22
Scripture
This week's readings bring us back to one theme repeatedly: the challenges associated with relating to other human beings.
In Genesis we read of the difficulties that Jacob had relating to his father-in-law, Laban. In Judges we see how much trouble Samson had in dealing with the Philistines (and the Philistines with Samson!). In Psalm 22 we see a poignant messianic prophecy in which Jesus is hanging on the cross, listening to those who are mocking him: "Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, 'Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!'"
After getting more lame advice from his friends, Job exclaims, "What miserable comforters you are! Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air? What makes you keep on talking?" (Job 16:2). And Jesus, in Matthew 20, talks about the jealousy a group of day-laborers felt when they saw the foreman pay the same amount to others who worked only an hour.
The key to these relational challenges is found in Romans 15 where the Apostle Paul says this:
"We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself....
"May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (vv. 1-3, 5-6)
Observation
It's easy to theorize and theologize about seeking to please others over ourselves. It's another thing entirely to live it out! This week's Scripture readings recount several concrete situations in which the difficulties associated with getting along with each other present themselves.
Application
As you engage in this week's readings, prayerfully consider the ways in which the various scenarios in the Bible are playing themselves out in your life. Try to identify by name the people who are currently presenting the greatest "relational challenges." Narrow your thinking to one person with whom you will seek to sweeten your relationship by "helping them do what is right and building them up in the Lord" (Rom. 15:2).
Prayer
O Lord, we want to do your will in getting along with everyone in our lives. And we confess that sometimes we simply do not have the wisdom to know how best to handle some of these relationships. You also know that in some cases, we've tried to make things right...but the person won't reciprocate. Please give us the wisdom to discern the difference between "reconcilable" and "irreconcilable" relationships...and, by your grace, help us accept one another the way Christ accepts us. We pray in his name. Amen.
Have a great week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
Sunday: Romans 15-16
Monday: Genesis 28-31
Tuesday: Judges 12-16
Wednesday Psalms 21-23
Thursday: Job 15-16
Friday: Isaiah 40-44
Saturday: Matthew 20-22
Scripture
This week's readings bring us back to one theme repeatedly: the challenges associated with relating to other human beings.
In Genesis we read of the difficulties that Jacob had relating to his father-in-law, Laban. In Judges we see how much trouble Samson had in dealing with the Philistines (and the Philistines with Samson!). In Psalm 22 we see a poignant messianic prophecy in which Jesus is hanging on the cross, listening to those who are mocking him: "Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, 'Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!'"
After getting more lame advice from his friends, Job exclaims, "What miserable comforters you are! Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air? What makes you keep on talking?" (Job 16:2). And Jesus, in Matthew 20, talks about the jealousy a group of day-laborers felt when they saw the foreman pay the same amount to others who worked only an hour.
The key to these relational challenges is found in Romans 15 where the Apostle Paul says this:
"We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself....
"May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (vv. 1-3, 5-6)
Observation
It's easy to theorize and theologize about seeking to please others over ourselves. It's another thing entirely to live it out! This week's Scripture readings recount several concrete situations in which the difficulties associated with getting along with each other present themselves.
Application
As you engage in this week's readings, prayerfully consider the ways in which the various scenarios in the Bible are playing themselves out in your life. Try to identify by name the people who are currently presenting the greatest "relational challenges." Narrow your thinking to one person with whom you will seek to sweeten your relationship by "helping them do what is right and building them up in the Lord" (Rom. 15:2).
Prayer
O Lord, we want to do your will in getting along with everyone in our lives. And we confess that sometimes we simply do not have the wisdom to know how best to handle some of these relationships. You also know that in some cases, we've tried to make things right...but the person won't reciprocate. Please give us the wisdom to discern the difference between "reconcilable" and "irreconcilable" relationships...and, by your grace, help us accept one another the way Christ accepts us. We pray in his name. Amen.
Have a great week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Week 7: Keeping Your Word
Sunday: Romans 13-14 (Epistles)
Monday: Genesis 24-27 (Law)
Tuesday: Judges 7-11 (History)
Wednesday: Psalms 18-20 (Psalms)
Thursday: Job 13-14 (Poetry)
Friday: Isaiah 34-39 (Prophecy)
Saturday: Matthew 17-19 (Gospels)
In this week's reading the following story is told that always wrecks me: The promise of Jephthah to the Lord in Judges Ch. 11:29-40.
In this passage Jephthah makes a vow to the Lord in return for success- the heartbreaker is that his vow will cost him his only daughter... The amazing part of the story is how the daughter exhibits faith and wisdom beyond her years knowing full well her life has been made forfeit as a result of her father's promise.
In my life I take away two things from this passage:
1) Making a promise to the Lord is not something to be taken lightly. Most times these promises are empty as they are made under duress and/or under the strong influence of emotion. How many times have I promised God something and then not lived up to it? Too many times to count.
2) The wisdom of children is a beautiful thing. It's too bad we grow up and take life too seriously. Children "get it." I am too busy and wrapped up in myself sometimes that I totally miss what life is really about. Jephthah's daughter exhibits total maturity and faith while knowing her life is forfeit to the Lord. She is granted two months to mourn and lived those months with high integrity, not even giving in to earthly pleasures.
My prayer for this week is have the wisdom and courage to make my "Yes" a true "Yes" and my "No" to be likewise.
Be of good cheer and faith this week!
In Him,
Mike
Monday: Genesis 24-27 (Law)
Tuesday: Judges 7-11 (History)
Wednesday: Psalms 18-20 (Psalms)
Thursday: Job 13-14 (Poetry)
Friday: Isaiah 34-39 (Prophecy)
Saturday: Matthew 17-19 (Gospels)
In this week's reading the following story is told that always wrecks me: The promise of Jephthah to the Lord in Judges Ch. 11:29-40.
In this passage Jephthah makes a vow to the Lord in return for success- the heartbreaker is that his vow will cost him his only daughter... The amazing part of the story is how the daughter exhibits faith and wisdom beyond her years knowing full well her life has been made forfeit as a result of her father's promise.
In my life I take away two things from this passage:
1) Making a promise to the Lord is not something to be taken lightly. Most times these promises are empty as they are made under duress and/or under the strong influence of emotion. How many times have I promised God something and then not lived up to it? Too many times to count.
2) The wisdom of children is a beautiful thing. It's too bad we grow up and take life too seriously. Children "get it." I am too busy and wrapped up in myself sometimes that I totally miss what life is really about. Jephthah's daughter exhibits total maturity and faith while knowing her life is forfeit to the Lord. She is granted two months to mourn and lived those months with high integrity, not even giving in to earthly pleasures.
My prayer for this week is have the wisdom and courage to make my "Yes" a true "Yes" and my "No" to be likewise.
Be of good cheer and faith this week!
In Him,
Mike
Monday, February 7, 2011
Week 6: Living by the Guidance of the Holy Spirit
The reading plan for this week is as follows:
* Sunday (epistles): Romans 11-12
* Monday (the Law): Genesis 20-23
* Tuesday (history): Judges 1-6
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 15-17
* Thursday (poetry): Job 11-12
* Friday (prophecy): Isaiah 29-33
* Saturday (gospels): Matthew 14-16
To truly understand what Paul is saying in Romans 11 (and the preceding chapters 9 & 10 as well), we have to read Abraham's account in Genesis 21 (and Gen.15 & 17). Abraham was the founding father of the nation of Israel. God had promised Abraham the land of Israel, and descendents. We've seen the promise of receiving the land being fulfilled 400 years after Abraham, in the account of Joshua that we finished last week.
The promise of receiving descendents we see fulfilled in Genesis 20, where Isaac is born. Isaac became the father of Jacob (whom God gave the name 'Israel'), who became the father of 12 sons -- who became the 12 tribes of Israel. God always keeps his promises! And that's why in Romans 11 we read that He will keep his promise with Israel. He's not done with them yet. There will come a day when the nation of Israel will accept Jesus as their Messiah. They too will receive the Holy Spirit to guide them at that point.
In the book Judges -- which we start this week -- we see what happens when the spirit is not their to guide the people of Israel.
Scripture
Judges 2:10-11: "After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did what was evil in the LORD's sight and worshipped the images of Baal."
Observation
The people of Israel obeyed God under the leadership of Joshua and the elders who had seen God's miracles when leading them out of Egypt and through the dessert for 40 years. When this generation passed away, the new generation did not stand up and take spiritual leadership. Instead, they reverted to their evil ways, disobeying the LORD, and worshipping the idols of the land.
Application
This passage is a great warning for me personally, but really for all of us. We need to let the Holy Spirit guide us in our daily lives. We can do that through the leadership of elders in our church and/or other mature Christians who deeply know and love the LORD. We can do that through reading of the scriptures. And we can do that through prayer. If we don't do this, we will become like the Israelites and revert back to our old nature, oftentimes worshipping the idols of our culture. Idols such as money, self-centeredness, comfort, addictions, entitlement, etc. If, on the other hand, we release control to God, and let His spirit guide us, we are focused on his will for our lives, and we're focused on others and building them up.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please forgive us when we fall short by not letting your Holy Spirit guide and empower us. Please fill us with your spirit each day and each hour of each day, to live fruitful lives for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Read Romans 12 several times this week, to hear Paul's instruction of what it truly means to live a life guided by the Holy Spirit.
Have a great week.
In Him,
Dick
* Sunday (epistles): Romans 11-12
* Monday (the Law): Genesis 20-23
* Tuesday (history): Judges 1-6
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 15-17
* Thursday (poetry): Job 11-12
* Friday (prophecy): Isaiah 29-33
* Saturday (gospels): Matthew 14-16
To truly understand what Paul is saying in Romans 11 (and the preceding chapters 9 & 10 as well), we have to read Abraham's account in Genesis 21 (and Gen.15 & 17). Abraham was the founding father of the nation of Israel. God had promised Abraham the land of Israel, and descendents. We've seen the promise of receiving the land being fulfilled 400 years after Abraham, in the account of Joshua that we finished last week.
The promise of receiving descendents we see fulfilled in Genesis 20, where Isaac is born. Isaac became the father of Jacob (whom God gave the name 'Israel'), who became the father of 12 sons -- who became the 12 tribes of Israel. God always keeps his promises! And that's why in Romans 11 we read that He will keep his promise with Israel. He's not done with them yet. There will come a day when the nation of Israel will accept Jesus as their Messiah. They too will receive the Holy Spirit to guide them at that point.
In the book Judges -- which we start this week -- we see what happens when the spirit is not their to guide the people of Israel.
Scripture
Judges 2:10-11: "After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did what was evil in the LORD's sight and worshipped the images of Baal."
Observation
The people of Israel obeyed God under the leadership of Joshua and the elders who had seen God's miracles when leading them out of Egypt and through the dessert for 40 years. When this generation passed away, the new generation did not stand up and take spiritual leadership. Instead, they reverted to their evil ways, disobeying the LORD, and worshipping the idols of the land.
Application
This passage is a great warning for me personally, but really for all of us. We need to let the Holy Spirit guide us in our daily lives. We can do that through the leadership of elders in our church and/or other mature Christians who deeply know and love the LORD. We can do that through reading of the scriptures. And we can do that through prayer. If we don't do this, we will become like the Israelites and revert back to our old nature, oftentimes worshipping the idols of our culture. Idols such as money, self-centeredness, comfort, addictions, entitlement, etc. If, on the other hand, we release control to God, and let His spirit guide us, we are focused on his will for our lives, and we're focused on others and building them up.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please forgive us when we fall short by not letting your Holy Spirit guide and empower us. Please fill us with your spirit each day and each hour of each day, to live fruitful lives for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Read Romans 12 several times this week, to hear Paul's instruction of what it truly means to live a life guided by the Holy Spirit.
Have a great week.
In Him,
Dick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)