Yesterday we completed the story of Solomon’s achievements.
Today's highlighted verse:
11 Fools vent their anger,but the wise quietly hold it back.
Yesterday we heard Jesus’ teaching about John the Baptist.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
DBRP_Sept21_2014 2Chron9 Pro28b Mat11a
Yesterday we heard God’s famous response to Solomon, which is so often applied as a promise to America. I think that it is stretching it to apply that promise to America, which is not in the position of having made any sacrifices to the Lord.
Today's highlighted verse:
26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
Jesus’ instructions to the disciples show that Jesus wants total commitment— even if it means dying in his service:
38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.
Friday, September 19, 2014
DBRP_Sept20_2014 2Chron7-8 Pro28a Mat10b
Yesterday we heard Solomon’s famous prayer at the dedication of the temple. He understood that the people would need forgiveness from the Lord, and requested the Lord’s mercy.
Today's highlighted verse:
8 Income from charging high interest rateswill end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
Yesterday we heard the list of the 12, and the beginning of the instructions to them. It is clear that Jesus gave this message for all of us, not just the 12.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
DBRP_Sept19_2014 2Chron6 Pro27b Mat10a
Yesterday we heard of the various things that Huram-abi made under Solomon’s direction for the temple, and of the dedication of the temple. In today’s (not reverent) language, we might say that the Lord ‘showed up’ for that dedication, just like He did for the dedication of the tabernacle.
Our hightlighted verse for today:
21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but a person is tested by being praised.
Many stories were brought together in chapter 9, including the calling of Matthew, who is most likely the writer of this book. Note that opposition is ramping up against Jesus from the religious teachers and the Pharisees. Like at the end of John 4, Jesus spoke of the need for God to send workers into the spiritual harvest.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
DBRP_Sept17_2014 2Chron2-3 Pro26b Mat8
In yesterday’s reading we returned to the books of Chronicles, and picked up the story following King David, with the beginning of Solomon’s reign. Solomon gave 1,000 burnt offerings to the Lord, then the Lord appeared to Solomon. Solomon requested wisdom to rule Israel, and the Lord was pleased with his request.
Today’s highlighted verse:
23 Smooth words may hide a wicked heart,
just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.
We completed reading the Sermon on the Mount yesterday with the parable of building a house on sand or on a rock. Building a house on sand is easier. But let’s be those who persevere and lay a good foundation.
DBRP_Sept18_2014 2Chron4-5 Pro27a Mat9
Yesterday we heard of the preparations for building the temple, and then the dimensions and the beginning of the construction starting in the 4th year of Solomon’s reign.
Today’s first verse is very like the advice of James in the New Testament:
1 Don’t brag about tomorrow,
since you don’t know what the day will bring.
Yesterday we heard of several powerful healings and the miracle of calming the storm. One of the one-becomes-two instances is in the Gadarene demon possessed man, called Legion in the other Gospels. If Matthew was present, as I posited before, it would be before the story of his joining the disciples in this chapter.
Monday, September 15, 2014
DBRP_Sept16_2014 2Chron1 Pro26a Mat7b
Yesterday we heard the touching conclusion of Hosea. Finally Hosea penned the people’s rather short apology and request for forgiveness, and God responded lovingly, pleading Israel to stay away from idols. And we return to the story in the books of Chronicles that we left in the middle.
A highlighted verse for today:
12 There is more hope for fools
than for people who think they are wise.
Yesterday’s reading included one of the most often quoted but most poorly understood verses of the Bible. Check yourself before telling someone, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.” If you are saying that in order to deflect criticism against yourself, you are doing what a hypocrite does. And ironically, not being a hypocrite is main point of the passage. Nor is the meaning that we Christians must not judge other people at all. We must not judge hypocritically, but the Bible shows us how to judge rightly and fairly— as is necessary for us in this world.
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