Week 31: The Salvation Imperative

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:



*Sunday: 2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28; Romans 12:1-21; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 20:8-10
*Monday: 2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27; Romans 13:1-14; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 20:11
*Tuesday: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Romans 14:1-23; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 20:12
*Wednesday: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15
*Thursday: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18
*Friday: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:10-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19
*Saturday: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21

Scripture: Romans 13:11
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Observation:
With every passing day we are closer to eternity than the day before. And with every passing day, the urgency to live rightly before God therefore increases. What’s interesting is that urgency increases not because of looming “judgment,” but because of impending “salvation.” We are to make a point of living rightly because salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. This is the salvation imperative.

When I was a child, my sister and I would sometimes misbehave when my parents were out and a babysitter was watching us. The sitter would say, “If you don’t stop acting up I will tell your parents when they get home!” That was a judgment imperative.

The judgment imperative says, “If you don’t do better, you will be punished.” But God has put us under a salvation imperative in which he says, “I have declared you faultless...now live like it!” God does not hold the threat of judgment over our heads to get us to do what he wants; he holds the banner of adoption over us and calls us his own. He invites us into a new reality in which he loves us beyond measure and embraces us as his own no matter what we’ve done. And when that reality truly dawns on us, we can’t help but love as he loves and live as he lives.

Application:
I want to separate myself from all that is ungodly and pursue everything that distinguishes me as a child of light while there is still time! I want Jesus to have his way with me as I make the prayer of the Psalmist my own...

Prayer:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life," for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 30: The Shekinah Glory

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday: 2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10, Romans 7:14-8:8, Psalm 18:1-15, Proverbs 19:24-25
* Monday: 2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19, Romans 8:9-25, Psalm 18:16-36, Proverbs 19:26
* Tuesday: 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 19:27-29
* Wednesday: 2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14, Romans 9:1-24, Psalm 19:1-14, Proverbs 20:1
* Thursday: 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34, Romans 9:25-10:13, Psalm 20:1-9, Proverbs 20:2-3
* Friday: 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37, Romans 10:14-11:12, Psalm 21:1-13, Proverbs 20:4-6
* Saturday: 2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21, Romans 11:13-36, Psalm 22:1-18, Proverbs 20:7

Our SOAP for this week is from 2 Chronicles 5 verse 13 and 14

Scripture:
13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: "He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!" At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. 14 The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.

Observation:
The glory of the LORD filled the temple. This glory is what the Jewish rabbis called "Shekinah glory" a form of a Hebrew word that literally means "he caused to dwell," denoting a divine visitation of the presence or dwelling of JEHOVAH God on this earth. The presence of God is so strong, that the priests could not continue their work. What's interesting to me is that the moment that God's glory filled the temple, was the moment that the Levites started to worship. When God's name was praised in His house (the temple), God came down and dwelt among the people.

Application:
Worship is an important part of our church services. Even today, we may expectantly wait for God's glory to fill the church, when we praise Him with our voices and instruments.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I praise you and adore you, for everything you have done in our lives. Thank you for your mighty blessings. I praise your Holy Name. I pray that you dwell among us on Sunday mornings, that your glory fills our church. I pray that you dwell in our hearts, so that your glory may shine through us. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a blessed week, and let His glory shine through you in all you do.

Dick

Week 28: On God's Side

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:





*Sunday: 1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81; Acts 26:1-32; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 18:20-21

*Monday: 1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40; Acts 27:1-20; Psalm 7:1-17; Proverbs 18:22

*Tuesday: 1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14; Acts 27:21-44; Psalm 8:1-9; Proverbs 18:23-24

*Wednesday: 1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18; Acts 28:1-31; Psalm 9:1-12; Proverbs 19:1-3

*Thursday: 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17; Romans 1:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 19:4-5

*Friday: 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36; Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 19:6-7

*Saturday: 1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17; Romans 2:1-24; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 19:8-9

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 5:25, 26

But these tribes were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors. They worshiped the gods of the nations that God had destroyed. So the God of Israel caused King Pul of Assyria (also known as Tiglath-pileser) to invade the land and take away the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh as captives. The Assyrians exiled them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the Gozan River, where they remain to this day.

Observation:

These verses speak of the tribes that opted to take their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River when the Israelites approached the Promised Land under Moses’ leadership. When they saw the expansive lands of Jazer and Gilead and how well suited they were for their flocks and herds, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh asked Moses if that could be their land inheritance, even though it was on the other side of the river, which formed a natural boundary for the Promised Land (and a natural barrier against invading enemies).  After much cajoling, Moses reluctantly agreed.  The problem is that these people were vulnerable to the influences of the surrounding (pagan) world.  In the final analysis, they were the first ones to become unfaithful to God…and the first to be taken into exile, never again to return to their homeland.

Application:

When we put ourselves in proximity of ungodly influences, we increase the likelihood that we will end up making the wrong choices and straying from God and God’s purposes for our lives. I am struck by the fact that these tribes went into exile first…and there is no doubt they did so because they “lived on the edge” in more ways than one. I want to place myself in the center of God’s will for my life…not on the periphery. I want to surround myself in the fellowship of God’s people rather than cavorting with the world. I want to spend my time with those who influence me for the good, rather than induce me to “get with the times.”  In the end, I want to be a light to the world...a light that is close enough to the world to be seen, and a light that is bright enough to shine and make a difference.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, please help me be a light that shines brightly in a world of darkness, drawing people to you. I pray that your Kingdom would be manifest in my life. Please lead me from temptation and deliver me from evil, for Jesus’ sake and to your glory.  Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,

Chuck

Week 27: "Trust Me!"

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:





*Sunday: 2 Kings 18:13-19:37; Acts 21:1-17; Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 18:8

*Monday: 2 Kings 20:1-22:2; Acts 21:18-36; Psalm 150:1-6; Proverbs 18:9-10

*Tuesday: 2 Kings 22:3-23:30; Acts 21:37-22:16; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 18:11-12

*Wednesday: 2 Kings 23:31-25:30; Acts 22:17-23:10; Psalm 2:1-12; Proverbs 18:13

*Thursday: 1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17; Acts 23:11-35; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 18:14-15

*Friday: 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 18:16-18

*Saturday: 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17; Acts 25:1-27; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 18:19

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:32b-35

“Don’t listen to Hezekiah when he tries to mislead you by saying, ‘The Lord will rescue us!’ Have the gods of any other nations ever saved their people from the king of Assyria? What happened to the gods of Hamath and Arpad? And what about the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Did any god rescue Samaria from my power? What god of any nation has ever been able to save its people from my power? So what makes you think that the Lord can rescue Jerusalem from me?”

Observation:

This was a dark day for the inhabitants of Jerusalem and their righteous king, Hezekiah. The Assyrian army, the most powerful force in the world at that time, surrounded the city.

The Assyrians had already destroyed all the surrounding nations. Now the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, had Hezekiah shut up in the royal city of Jerusalem “like a bird in a cage” (these words of Sennacherib are preserved in the ancient Assyrian records, which are housed at the Oriental Institute in Chicago). As the inhabitants of Jerusalem looked over the walls at the vast army that consisted of well over 200,000 soldiers, the situation appeared to be hopeless. But God was on their side…and appearances were therefore deceiving! As the story unfolds, God brought the Assyrian army and its king to naught and Jerusalem was spared destruction. No matter how hopeless things looked, there was cause for hope. God was on their side!

Application:

There are times today when Assyrians surround us. Whenever we are tempted to believe that the problems facing us in the present are greater than the God who said he would never leave us or forsake us, take note of the Assyrians! No matter what challenge or difficulty you are facing right now, rest assured that God will deliver you from it. When we face trials, God wants us to trust him. He wants us to stop trying to live by our own wits and rely on his power to get us through. I can think of three such challenges that I am facing right now, and what God is saying to me in today’s reading is simply this: “Trust me and everything will be okay.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I trust you, but I confess there are times when I do not trust you enough! As you were with Hezekiah and his people, I pray that you would be with me in these present circumstances. Please deliver me for Jesus’ sake, and I will forever praise you. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,

Chuck

Week 26: Great Role Models

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday: 2 Kings 6:1-7:20; Acts 15:36-:16:15; Psalm 142; Proverbs 17:24-25
* Monday: 2 Kings 8:1-9:13; Acts 16:16-40; Psalm 143; Proverbs 17:26
* Tuesday: 2 Kings 9:14-10:31; Acts 17:1-34; Psalm 144; Proverbs 17:27-28
* Wednesday: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145; Proverbs 18:1
* Thursday: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146; Proverbs 18:2-3
* Friday: 2 Kings 15:1-16:20; Acts 19:13-41; Psalm 147; Proverbs 18:4-5
* Saturday: 2 Kings 17:1-18:12; Acts 20:1-38; Psalm 148; Proverbs 18:6-7

I'm writing this blog from my parents' home in the Netherlands where I grew up. My oldest daughter is sleeping in the same room where I used to sleep, under the same slanted roof. This is the home where I saw my mother read her Bible on a daily basis, and where my Father instructed me in the ways of the Lord. They have been great role models for me, and my wish is for me to become such a role model for my children. It all starts with delving into God's word every day. I hope you enjoy the readings this week.

In Him,

Dick

Week 25: Full Redemption

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday: 1 Kings 18:1-46; Acts 11:1-30; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 17:12-13
* Monday: 1 Kings 19; Acts 12:1-23; Psalm 136; Proverbs 17:14-15
* Tuesday: 1 Kings 20:1-21:29; Acts 12:24-13:15; Psalm 137; Proverbs 17:16
* Wednesday: 1 Kings 22; Acts 13:16-41; Psalm 138; Proverbs 17:17-18
* Thursday: 2 Kings 1:1-2:25; Acts 13:42-14:7; Psalm 139; Proverbs 17:19-21
* Friday: 2 Kings 3:1-4:17; Acts 14:8-28; Psalm 140; Proverbs 17:22
* Saturday: 2 Kings 4:18-5:27; Acts 15:1-35; Psalm 141; Proverbs 17:23

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:20
Then Elijah cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, why have you brought tragedy on this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?"

Observation:
Elijah does not understand God. Why does the LORD kill the son of this widow, who has treated him so well? It doesn't make sense, and Elijah cries out to the LORD.

We don't know exactly why God does this, but verse 18 might hold an explanation. The woman had committed certain sins, and had kept those secret for Elijah. Perhaps she had been a prostitute to try to make a living for herself. She was a widow, and perhaps she had slept with different men, and the boy was a result of that. We don't know.

Application:
What we do know is that the woman has a lot of faith. She uses her last oil and flour to bake something for Elijah. Everything goes smoothly after that. The oil and flour do not run out, and she must enjoy this miraculous experience, until... until her son dies. Now she can no longer keep her past a secret.

God doesn't want her to keep her past a secret. He doesn't want us to keep our pasts a secret. God wants full redemption.. He wants this for the woman and for us as well. Elijah performs a miracle by raising the boy from the dead. The woman gets a second chance with her boy, and with her life. Now she knows it for sure: God is real, and Elijah is his servant (v.24).

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a God who wants full redemption and retoration for us. Thank you that you offer that redemption through your Son, Jesus Christ. He too, offered this redemption to the woman at the well, just like you did through Elijah to this widow. You don't want half redemption for us, but full and complete redemption. Thank you for giving us that. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a blessed week.

Dick

Week 24: Three Key Truths

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday: 1 Kings 7:1-51; Acts 7:30-50; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 16:31-33
* Monday: 1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1
* Tuesday: 1 Kings 9:1-10:29; Acts 8:14-40; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 17:2-3
* Wednesday: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5
* Thursday: 1 Kings 12:20-13:34; Acts 9:26-43; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 17:6
* Friday: 1 Kings 14:1-15:24; Acts 10:1-23; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 17:7-8
* Saturday: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:24-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11


Scripture: Proverbs 16:31-33
Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained by living a godly life.
Better to be patient than powerful;
better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
We may throw the dice,
but the LORD determines how they fall.

Observation:
These verses capture three distinct truths by which to live life: (1) gray hair is a crown of glory (in my case, a wreath of glory) – i.e., long life is a gift, (2) self-control is one of the greatest of all human achievements, and (3) we may make decisions, but God ultimately is in control.

Application:
The older I get, the more thankful I am for the gift of life. I want to cherish this day for the blessing it is and seek to be a blessing to those around me. I want to become more attuned to the opportunities that each moment presents to be the person God wants me to be. That requires constant attention to how I conduct myself (i.e., self-control). Finally, I want to seek to realize God’s will in every decision...and trust that God will work with whatever decision I make. In the end, God is in control...and I am grateful for that!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for this day of new life. The older I get, the more I realize how blessed I am to experience life this side of eternity. Please give me the wisdom and self-discipline I need every waking moment of the day, so that I can represent you well in every context of life. And open my eyes to see the many ways you are at work all around me, willing and working for your good pleasure. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck