For today, One Year Bible Online links here. For those of you who do not read this every day, I was very sick last week and it affected my writing (I do not know if for the better or worse). While I am still taking antibiotics, I am otherwise feeling better. I thank those of you have been praying for me.

Proverbs 17:19-21

    This proverb reminds us that quarreling is closely tied with sinning. If you start a quarrel because you trust your defenses, you are inviting disaster. If you attempt to win your quarrel using deceits and lies you will suffer as a consequence, even if you “win” the quarrel.
    I will say that this proverb serves as a warning to me. I love to argue (as in debate…but debates are more formal), but this reminds me that it important to not allow an argument to become a quarrel. I strive to extract myself from an argument when my emotional investment in my argument starts to overwhelm my rational thought (or I observe the same happening to the other party).

Psalm 139:1-24

    I love this psalm. This psalm is one which we should teach regularly. God knows our every thought and action. Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows what we are going to do before we do it. He knows what we are going to say before we say it. He knows what we are going to think before we think it. There is no place, and no circumstance where God does not know what we are doing. When we do things which harm ourselves, it pains Him. And the final verse is my prayer

Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Change my life so that those things in me which offend you are removed.

Acts 13:42-14:7

    After Paul’s sermon many people asked Paul and Barnabas to speak about the topic again the following week. Many of those who had heard Paul speak followed them to continue the discussion. The following week, Paul and Barnabas attracted a large crowd. This led some of the Jews to be hostile to them and to seek to turn others against them. In response to the Jewish hostility, Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue and preached among the Gentiles. Many came to believe as a result. However, and here we have a warning, the Jews managed to stir up the influential religious women and city political leaders against Paul and Barnabas. The warning is against efforts to stir up hostility among those who strive to be righteous against people and groups on the basis of rumor and innuendo.
    When they were chased out of Antioch in Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium, where they had a similar experience. They initially spoke at the Jewish synagogue, but some of the Jews were offended by their message and spread lies about them. Nevertheless, Paul and Barnabas were able to preach there for an extended period of time. Overall these two accounts remind us that we should be true to the Gospel message in the face of hostility. We should not change the message in order to attempt to respond to hostility to that message.

2 Kings 1-2:25

    What I am about to write is not original with me. In today’s passage we have the account of three army captains and their men sent to arrest Elijah. The first two captains acknowledged that Elijah was a man of God, but believed that the king had authority over him nevertheless. The king had commanded Elijah to appear, so in their minds, Elijah was obligated to do so. They believed that their own authority, which derived from the authority of the king, was greater than Elijah’s authority, which derived from God. The third captain recognized that Elijah’s authority, because it derived from God, was greater than his own authority. The lesson here is that the government’s authority is subordinate to God’s authority. When the third army captain acknowledged that he had no authority, no ability, to compel Elijah’s actions, God instructed Elijah to accompany him. I think this is an important message for us today. The agents of the government do not have the authority to compel the agents of God to obey them. It gets more complicated when we consider whether the government has the authority to compel the agents of God. I will keep this topic in the back of my mind as I continue reading through the Bible to see what it says on that subject.

For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I am starting to feel better and, God willing, should experience steady improvement to full recovery in a little over a week. I thank those of you have been praying for me.

Proverbs 17:17-18

    A friend is always loyal, but that does not mean that they will not tell you when you are wrong. I have three brothers and I can attest that they have been a help to me at various points in my life. This proverb is a good reminder that, since I am a brother, part of my purpose on this earth is to be a help to my siblings in their time of need, whenever that might be.

Psalm 138:1-8

    This psalm reminds me to give thanks to God for the many wonderful things He has done for me. His promises are backed by the honor of His name. When I pray He answers me immediately (although it usually takes me quite a bit of time to hear). Whenever I face trouble too great for me to bear, He provides me either the strength to bear up, or relief from my trouble. God has been good to me all of my life. I thank Him and praise Him every day (although not nearly as much as He deserves).

Acts 13:13-41

    I decided to start today’s reading from Acts a couple of verses earlier than where One Year Bible Online does because otherwise my first thoughts don’t make sense. It was after Saul’s confrontation with Elymas that Luke began referring to him as Paul. In addition, it was at this point that Luke began listing them as “Paul and Barnabas” rather than “Barnabas and Saul”. From this point forward, Paul is the primary focus of most of the activities of these two men. Something happened to Paul in his confrontation with Elymas which changed him.
    To follow up on this change it is Paul who stands up when he and Barnabas are asked to address the synagogue. His sermon is very similar to the one Stephen gave before the Sanhedrin, which led to his killing. It is interesting that one of the differences from Stephen’s message is the reference to John the Baptist. This suggests that the Jews of Cyprus were familiar with John the Baptist and his teachings. As Paul wraps up his message he offers an indirect invitation to his listeners to accept Jesus, followed by a direct warning not to ignore the Gospel which he had just preached.

1 Kings 22:1-53

    King Ahab has been at peace with the Arameans for three years when King Jehoshaphat of Judah paid him a visit. This suggests there is more to Ahab’s decision to go to war than just, “Hey, that town belongs to us. We should go to war to get it back.” It suggests that something which Jehoshaphat said encouraged Ahab to decide to go to war. That being said, I find it much more interesting that when Jehoshaphat asked Ahab to consult God before going to war, Ahab summoned 400 prophets (the same number as the prophets of Baal at Mt.Carmel). Instead of accepting the prophecies of the prophets Ahab produced when he asked to consult God, Jehoshaphat asks if there isn’t a prophet who can consult God for them. Jehoshaphat does not consider the prophets whom Ahab produced to be prophets of God, although Ahab does.
    From time to time I read about historians and others who say that the pre-Exile Israelites were not monotheistic, that monotheism was a later development. Reading passages like this reminds me that while they are not wrong, they are also not correct. Ahab was not a monotheist, and he probably thought that he worshiped God. However, Ahab also worshiped other gods and appears to have considered Baal and God to be the same. However, Jehoshaphat did not consider Baal to be the same as God, and appears to have only worshiped God. He was somewhat tolerant of those who worshiped other gods (after all he married his son to Ahab’s daughter). This suggests to me that while there were many Israelites, and probably members of the tribe of Judah, who worshiped multiple gods and thought of God as the Supreme God over a pantheon, there were also those who recognized that God alone was divine and the gods others worshiped were mere idols.

For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I am starting to feel better and, God willing, should experience steady improvement to full recovery in a little over a week. I thank those of you have been praying for me.

Proverbs 17:14-15

    Once you start a quarrel you will not be able control its path or direction any more than you will be able to control a flood when a dam gives way. So, stop egging people on before the quarrel breaks out.
    When I was younger, I always thought the proverb writer was talking about two separate evils in the second of today’s proverbs. I have realized in recent years that they go hand in hand. A society that acquits the guilty will also condemn the innocent. When society does that it will see evil run rampant.

Psalm 136:1-26

    This psalm would make a wonderful responsive reading, especially for two groups going back and forth. The whole psalm makes a wonderful point about giving thanks to the Lord, constantly coming back with “His love endures forever.” It does indeed.

Acts 12:1-23

    I certainly understand Peter’s reaction in this story. James, the brother of John, has just been executed, Peter is being held in prison awaiting his own execution. He is being held by four squads of four soldiers each. Peter was sleeping bound with chains between two guards with more at the entrance. Someone wakes him up in the middle of the night and tells him to put on his clothes and follow them. Peter followed the angel past the guards and out of the prison. It certainly must have seemed like a dream.
    The interesting thing for me is that, while the believers were gathered, praying desperately for Peter’s release, when he arrived at the door they thought it must be his ghost/angel. How often are we like this? When God answers our prayers, we have trouble that it has actually happened. Do we have the faith to expect God to answer our prayers?

1 Kings 19:1-21

    After his impressive victory over the prophets of Baal, Jezebel promised to kill Elijah. Elijah fled for his life and sank into depression. He traveled as if he was in a trance, eating the food put before him and moving on. Then Elijah came to Mt Sinai, where he spent the night in a cave. Elijah was convinced that he was the last man of God alive. Then God reminded Elijah who was really in charge and that power is not what humans think it is. This story always strikes me.
    God tells Elijah to stand before Him on the mountain. Elijah stands forth on the mountain. A windstorm hit the mountain, tearing rocks loose from the side of the mountain and tossing them around. But God was not in the wind, mighty as it was. Next an earthquake struck, but God was not in the earthquake. The earthquake was followed by fire, but God was not in the earthquake. Finally, when all of the sound and fury was over, there was a gentle whisper. Elijah knew that the gentle whisper was God. One more time God asked Elijah why he was there and once more Elijah proclaimed that all of the other men of God had been killed and that now they are trying to kill him. God’s reply is, “I’m not done with you yet…oh by the way, I have preserved for myself 7.000 other men who have refused to bow to Baal. Now, stop hiding.” There are times when God acts with sound and fury, but I firmly believe that when He is about to truly change history it begins with a quiet whisper.

For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I am starting to feel better and, God willing, should experience steady improvement to full recovery in a little over a week. I thank those of you have been praying for me.

Proverbs 17:12-13

    Most people know how dangerous it is to separate a mother bear from her cubs, but we often forget how dangerous it can be to point out foolish behavior. Everyone does the occasional foolish thing, and most people are appreciative when you show them their mistake. However, some people will viciously attack you when you show them the foolishness of their actions. They will go to ridiculous lengths to destroy you rather than correct their foolish behavior.
    The second of today’s proverbs is a warning not to be that person. In most cases, when someone points out that something you have done is foolish, they are trying to help you. If you respond to their attempt to aid you by attacking them, you are returning evil for good. The proverb warns us that those who return evil for good will find that evil continually finds their door.

Psalm 135:1-21

    The psalmist reminds us to praise the Lord and compares God’s greatness to the limitations of other gods. I will praise the Lord for He has indeed done great things. I have examined the claims made for other gods and their accomplishments are empty.

Acts 11:1-30

    I think people often overlook the real essence of what happened when Peter returned to Jerusalem from Cornelius’ house. Everybody notes that the Jewish believers criticized Peter for associating with and eating with Gentiles. Everybody notes Peter’s defense of his actions and praises it as well stated (which it is). However, people rarely take note that those criticizing Peter listened to his explanation for his actions, and when they heard it, they stopped objecting. In addition, Peter recognized that he was accountable for his actions. This is an important part of how Church leadership should work. Church leaders need to recognize that they need to accept their accountability to the rest of the Body.

    Now we come to a change in the way the Church grew. Up until this point, all of the spread of Christianity was from Jerusalem. Believers left Jerusalem, went somewhere, and preached the Gospel, to Jews. But following Peter preaching to Cornelius, some believers from Cyprus and Cyrene preached the Gospel to Gentiles in Antioch. When the Church in Jerusalem heard this, they sent Barnabas to investigate. Barnabas, we are told, was strong in faith and full of the Holy Spirit. Barnabas encouraged the new believers and many people came to the Lord. Then his “adopt a stray” instincts kicked in. He left Antioch and went to Tarsus to get Saul. Saul came to Antioch with Barnabas and became an active leader in the Church there.

1 Kings 18:1-46

    A few years back I realized what a showman Elijah is at the confrontation with the prophets of Baal. He starts off by addressing the crowd, a crowd that has mostly turned away from God as boring, but is not quite willing to walk away from the nostalgia that was all that really still connected them to God. He called on the people to choose between Baal and God, making it clear that of their two competing claims, only one could be true. The people were bored by this call, the prophets of God had been making such demands of them for years. Elijah had an ace up his sleeve. He suggested a contest between himself and the prophets of Baal, one with excitement and fireworks. The people readily agreed, quite confident in the show the prophets of Baal could put on.
    The contest begins and Elijah, wisely, allowed the prophets of Baal to go first. The prophets of Baal danced around, cut themselves, and raved. I am sure it was quite entertaining at first, but before long I am sure people began to get bored. It was then that Elijah’s true showmanship came through. He began to mock them, suggesting that they were just not loud enough, or outrageous enough, to get Baal’s attention and that was why nothing happened. Then after the people were tired of the show and spectacle of the prophets of Baal, Elijah called them over to his altar. He carefully rebuilt the altar with symbolism the people recognized. It was all calm and deliberate. Then, when all was ready, Elijah made sure no one could claim trickery, he had the people pour water over the altar until it was soaked. Then Elijah calmly called out to God and requested proof of God’s power. Elijah was a showman, but he used that talent to focus people’s attention on God.

For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I apologize if my writing over the last few days has been below my usual standard. I have not been feeling well and if the doctor is to be believed I will feel this way for a few more. On the other hand, if my writing has not been substandard, praise God because it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that such is possible.

Proverbs 17:9-11

    If you want two people to be friends, don’t mention negative things one may have said about the other. On the other hand, a good way to separate friends is to constantly repeat, out of context, something one of them said in a fit of pique.
    If you are trying to decide if you have discernment or are a fool, this proverb provides a good place to start. How do you react when someone tries to get you to change your behavior? Do you listen and react to a single criticism? Or do you stubbornly refuse to change your ways after repeated punishments?
    Both of these proverbs can also be used to judge others. If someone is constantly telling you about something a friend, or potential friend, of yours said that puts you in a negative light, you can be sure that they are trying to put a wedge between the two of you. On the other hand, if they are constantly minimizing to you, or justifying, the things which the other did which upset you, you can be sure that they wish the two of you to be friends. As to the second proverb, if someone immediately changes their way when you criticize something they did you can expect that they are likely to exhibit good judgement in other matters as well. The flip side is that if they insist that their way of doing things is the correct way, even after repeatedly suffering for doing things that way, you can expect that they are unlikely to exhibit good judgement in other areas.

Psalm 134:1-3

    The psalmist tells those who serve the Lord at night to praise Him. I always find this psalm inspiring, but something occurred to me today. Those who served in the Temple at night would have been rarely noticed. So, in some ways this psalm is for all of those who have the “thankless” jobs God calls on someone to do. I put the “thankless” in quotes because God will not forget to thank, and reward, those who do those jobs. However, when we find ourselves in those service jobs, let us praise the Lord. Let us lift up our hands and thank God for giving us this opportunity to serve Him.

Acts 10:24-48

    Over the last few days we have read about Stephen and Saul, men who confronted those they disagreed with very directly. Today, we have Peter, who preached to Cornelius and his household a message of welcome. It made me think what is the difference between the men to whom Stephen, and Saul preached and those to whom Peter preached here? Stephen, at least, preached to men who claimed the knowledge and right to not only tell others how they should live, but to force them to live that way. Peter, on the other hand, preached to those seeking to learn how to live according to God’s will. This is a reminder to us, both in how we should preach to others, in-your-face to those who think they have the knowledge and right to silence those with whom they disagree, with kind acceptance to those who are seeking, and how we should treat those with whom we disagree. Before he was saved, Paul agreed with those who martyred Stephen, after he met the Lord, he was often beaten, yet he never forced his opinion on others (except by force of argument).
    It is also important to make note of what Peter preached to Cornelius, because it should be the basis for what we preach. There is a little more to it than this, but the core of the Gospel is that Jesus is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. It is not me who judges your actions, it is not you who judges my actions, or anybody else’s actions. I will not try to silence you if I disagree with you, but I will try to convince you. I welcome you to do the same to me.

1 Kings 15:25-17:24

    The various kings of Israel who succeeded Jeroboam all sinned against God, but it was not until Ahab that the kings began to openly worship the gods of the surrounding peoples. I never realized before how low-key Elijah’s appearance on the scene was. Our first encounter with Elijah is when he told Ahab that it would not until Elijah next said that it would. OK, so maybe that is not low-key, but it seems a pretty bold statement for someone who has yet to do anything of note (of course, it may be that God had done some things through Elijah before this which are not recorded).
    The rest of the passage describes how God provides for those who are faithful. God provided for Elijah by a stream in the wilderness for some time by having ravens bring him food. Then when the stream finally dried up, God sent him to a non-Jewish widow. It is worth noting that when Elijah arrived the woman was about to cook the last of her food which was just enough for a final meal for herself and her son. Elijah told her to make a bit of bread for him first, and then follow her plan…except for the bit about dying. God provided her enough to feed Elijah, herself, and her son. If we put doing God’s will first, He will provide for our needs.

For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I apologize if my writing over the last few days has been below my usual standard. I have not been feeling well and if the doctor is to be believed I will feel this way for a few more. On the other hand, if my writing has not been substandard, praise God because it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that such is possible.

Proverbs 17:7-8

    Every time I read this proverb I struggle with how to express what it conveys to me. When a fool speaks eloquently they may convince many people to take foolish actions. It is even worse when a government leader lies. When a government leader lies a whole gamut of things can go wrong, from an innocent person being unjustly condemned to a nation going to war for no good reason.

Psalm 133:1-3

    This psalm is a reminder that God’s people should live together in harmony and unity. Let us strive for that blessing in the way we live our lives.

Acts 10:1-23

    As I read this passage this morning, it communicated something to me that I don’t think I have ever noticed about it before, even though it is something I have deeply believed for a long time. Cornelius was a God-fearing man who genuinely sought to know God. Cornelius followed where his search led him and that search led him to Jesus. I believe that every person who genuinely seeks to find God and to follow His will will come to Jesus, sooner or later.
    On the other side, we have Peter. While God was showing Cornelius how to come closer to Him, He was also preparing Peter. Again this is how things work. God prepares us for changes in our lives before they come about. If we listen to the messages God sends us we will be prepared to serve Him.

1 Kings 14-15:24

    Despite being placed in his position of power by God, Jeroboam failed to even make a pretense of faithfully serving God. This passage makes it clear that he knew the role God played in his becoming king of Israel. When his son got sick he sent his wife to consult the prophet who had told him he would one day be king. Jeroboam knowingly turned his back on God in his pursuit of what he believed was his own interest. He suffered as a result.

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

Proverbs 17:2-3

    We apply intense heat to silver and gold in order to purify them. When we go through difficult times, let us remember that God purifies our hearts in a similar manner.

Psalm 130:1-8

    The psalmist reminds us that none of us are pure, that we have all sinned enough to deserve death. None of us are in a position to look down on others for their sin. God offers us forgiveness for our sins rather than judgement because otherwise we would never have a chance to learn to love and fear Him. I count on God’s forgiveness and love, but this does not mean that I do not strive to resist temptation and avoid sinning.

Acts 8:14-40

    When Peter and John arrived in Samaria they prayed for the believers to receive the Holy Spirit and then laid their hands upon them. At which point the believers promptly received the Holy Spirit. This was obviously a very dramatic occurrence, because as soon as Simon the magician (well, technically no longer “the magician”) saw it he wanted the power to do it himself. He was so impressed with what happened that he offered Peter and John money if they would give him power to do it himself. Simon wanted the honor and glory that came with having that power. Peter recognized the selfishness in his request and soundly condemned him for it. Tradition has it that Simon the magician became an opponent of Christianity after this, or at least a promoter of heresies. While that is possible, his reaction to Peter’s condemnation is perfectly appropriate. This story warns us against those who seek to gain power in the Church for their own glory. It, also, warns us of the dangers of becoming proud when God works through us .

1 Kings 9-10:29

    When Solomon finished his dedication of the Temple God replied to his prayer. The promise which God gave Solomon in response to his prayer contains many elements which apply to any, and every, people. If people follow God with integrity and righteousness, God will establish them as a nation that will stand the test of time. However, if they abandon God and worship other gods, God will make them an object of mockery and scorn. If you love your nation and wish it to prosper, your best course of action is to honor and serve God. You will not make your nation godly by passing laws. Each and every person must decide for themselves if they will serve God.