Tag Archives: Psalm 87:1-7

Daily Bible Study

April 18, 2015 Bible Study — Zacchaeus Climbed a Tree

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

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Proverbs 13:11

    Money acquired through get-rich-quick schemes is not valued and is as quickly lost as it was gained. The lessons learned by earning wealth by hard work teach one how to build that wealth once it has been obtained.

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Psalm 87:1-7

    The psalmist prophecies that the people of Egypt and Babylon, the people of distant lands, will be among those who know God. Certainly this is true, there are people from many lands who have come to know God through the preaching of the Gospel. However, I could not help but wonder if this prophecy might literally come true. Might the day come when the people from Egypt to Babylon (Iraq) are ruled from Jerusalem? Something to ponder.

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Luke 19:1-27

    I love the story of Zacchaeus, but I never know if we are supposed to see Zacchaeus; or Jesus’ actions as our model in this story. The answer I think is both depending on the situation we find ourselves in. First, Zacchaeus seeks greater knowledge of Jesus and goes to some effort to obtain it. Then Zacchaeus responds to Jesus by promising to behave righteously going forward.
    Second, we have Jesus’ actions towards Zacchaeus. Jesus chose to associate with Zacchaeus. He chose to befriend Zacchaeus, even though most people condemned Him for doing so. The people disliked Zacchaeus, and they had good reasons for feeling that way. Then when Zacchaeus transformed, Jesus made sure everyone knew it. By praising Zacchaeus’ changed attitude Jesus both rewarded him for making the change AND made it harder for him to go back on his word.
    Ultimately, while I think we are called to be as excited as Zacchaeus was about getting closer to Jesus, the main point of this story is that we should befriend those who need God’s love most.

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Joshua 16-18:28

    I want to encourage you to read this passage, but I have nothing to say about it today.

Daily Bible Study

October 17, 2014 Bible Study — Pray For All People

For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have been convicted over the last few weeks to seek to develop a disciplined prayer life. It is still a work in progress. Please pray for me, that the Holy Spirit may show me how to pray in a disciplined manner.

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Proverbs 25:18-19

    Despite the line I was taught as a child, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”, lies can harm somebody just as much as a physical attack.

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Psalm 87:1-7

    The psalmist prophecies about the day when people from all over the world will join the people of God, a day when citizens of every nation will be citizens of the Kingdom of God. That day is today, God has brought people from every nation to follow Christ and become His people. However, the psalmist also proclaims the day when every nation will follow God. That day has yet to come to pass. Some day the Holy Spirit will move so that everyone alive serves the Lord (I believe that this will not happen until after Jesus returns).

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1 Timothy 2:1-15

    Paul instructs Timothy (and us) to pray for all people. Let us ask God to help them. Let us intercede with God on their behalf, asking God to save them from the consequences of their sins. And let us thank God for them, even the people we don’t like. Especially, we are to pray for those who are in positions of authority. Let us pray that everyone come to accept the Gospel, because it is God’s desire that they do so. When we pray, let us be free from anger or disagreement (which is to say, let us be free from anger and disagreement, since we are supposed to pray all the time).
    There is one God and one mediator between God and man. Only Jesus is capable of bridging the gap between God and man. It is only through Him that we are able to approach God. There are many paths to God, but all of those paths lead to Jesus. Any path which does not lead to Jesus, does not lead to God.

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Jeremiah 30-31:26

    Yesterday my wife commented on how the book of Jeremiah is somewhat scary since he spends much of his time prophesying the judgement of God. There is no doubt that she is correct, much of the book of Jeremiah is scary. It is a call to people to turn from their sins before it is too late. Time is running out for people to repent of their sins and listen to God’s commands. Death and destruction are coming to those who refuse to listen to what God tells us. What makes Jeremiah’s prophesies so frightening is that they fit so well with what is happening in the world today. Once more the judgement of God has been set in motion against those who insist on living wicked lives.
    However, today’s passage contains reason for hope, a prophecy of God’s redemption. Yes, a day of terror is coming, a day like none that has come before. But, in the end God’s people will be saved on that day. Today, Jeremiah tells God’s people not to be afraid. God will bring His people to a life of peace and safety. This passage is one of great hope and comfort to those who love and serve the Lord.

Daily Bible Study

April 18, 2014 Bible Study — The Son Of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

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Proverbs 13:11

    If you acquire wealth by get-rich-quick or dishonest schemes (there is often very little difference between the two), you will quickly lose that wealth. The only wealth that will last is that which is built bit-by-bit through hard work.

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Psalm 87:1-7

    The psalmist tells us that God has founded a city which is greatly blessed. That city goes by the name of Jerusalem. The citizens of that city are loved by God, but it is not like other cities. God will write the names of people from every nation down as citizens of His Jerusalem. Yes, I will sing that the source of my life comes from Jerusalem, the city of our God.

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Luke 19:1-27

    Here we have the story of Zacchaeus, one of my favorite Bible stories. I am not sure what it is about this story that I like so much. Perhaps it is the image of Zacchaeus up in the tree, quickly climbing down when Jesus addresses him directly. I always visualize him almost falling out of the tree in his haste to answer Jesus. As I think about it, I realize that much of why I like this story is Zacchaeus’ enthusiastic response to Jesus. The story starts with Zacchaeus trying to find a place to get a look at Jesus as He passes by, but then it quickly changes when Jesus tells Zacchaeus that He is coming to his house. I want to be that enthusiastic about Jesus. On the other hand, are we as welcoming of sinners as Jesus was? Or are we more like the people who grumble because Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus?

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Joshua 16-18:28

    Once the people of Israel had taken control of a good portion of the land they set up the Tabernacle at Shiloh. Joshua then turned to the remaining tribes and asked them, “How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given to you?” How long are we going to wait until we take ownership of the promises which God has made to us? I am not sure what this means for me, but I feel convicted that there are things which God has been calling me to do that I need to stop waiting for the right time and just do them. I pray that God’s Spirit will make what these are plain to me in the coming days.

Daily Bible Study

October 17, 2013 Bible Study — Pray For All People

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

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Jeremiah 30-31:26

     Jeremiah writes of a coming time of terror, a time of trouble for God’s people. Yet, he says that God’s people should not be afraid or dismayed because God will save them. This is a message which I will keep close to my heart. I will not be troubled or afraid, no matter how bad things are because God promises that even on that day of utmost terror He will be with His people and save them.
     God said through Jeremiah that His people’s sins were so great and many that He had to punish them, He had to allow the nations of the world to devour them. However, those who devoured His people would be devoured. Those who plundered them would be plundered. Those who attacked them would be attacked. Those who refuse to become part of God’s people will endure suffering. But for those who turn to God and accept a place among His people, He will turn their mourning into joy. God will give rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowful.

…

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1 Timothy 2:1-15

     Paul urges us to pray and petition God for all people, especially those in positions of governmental authority. One reason that we are to pray for the authorities is so that we may live in peaceful, quiet, and holy lives. A second reason for us to pray for all people, including the authorities, is that God wants all people to come to a knowledge of the truth and to be saved.
     In the current time of government strife here in the U.S., have we as Christians remembered our duty to pray for those in positions of authority? And have we done so? But there is a little more to it than just praying. Paul tells us to pray with holy hand lifted up, free from anger and controversy. So, when we pray, we are to bring our prayers before God without anger and without taking sides. Let us lift up those in positions of authority and request that God make His will known to them and change their hearts so that they willingly do His will. But we are not to bring our opinions about what God’s will for them to do into the prayer. Let us submit ourselves to God’s will as we pray for the people around us and for those in authority over us. This last is a real challenge for me. I am an opinionated person who is sure that I know how others should think.

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Psalm 87:1-7

     The psalmist wrote that the day will come when God will offer everyone from every nation the opportunity to be a citizen of His holy city. That day has arrived, through Christ, God offers each and every one of us the opportunity to be adopted into His family and thus become citizens of the Kingdom of God. What a glorious opportunity we have.

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Proverbs 25:18-19

     When I was little, we had a saying that I am sure is still taught to children, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This is presented from the perspective of the one on the receiving end of hurtful words and thus serves some good. However, as this proverb points out, it is not true. What we say about others can be as damaging to them as attacking them with a weapon.

Daily Bible Study

April 18, 2013 Bible Study — Seek and Save the Lost

     It was one year ago yesterday that I began this daily Bible study blog. However, that first blog I used the wrong link to the scripture passages, so today’s blog is the first one where I am blogging on the same passages for a second time. I am excited about discovering what God has in store for me as I begin blogging about the passages that I blogged about last year. I hope that my writing has improved as I have gone along. I pray that God’s Spirit continues to move in me as I write this. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. The last few days the Spirit has really moved in my heart as I wrote my blog entries. I pray that He continues to do so and that I can take what the Spirit has been saying to me and put it into practice. Please pray for me on that score.
     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

Another close up of Magrat
Another close up of Magrat

Joshua 16-18:28

     The passage describes the borders of the land which was given to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Some of the clans of Manasseh had been granted land east of the Jordan, so today’s passage describes only the land given to the remaining clans. Once the Israelites controlled the land, they gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle. Seven of the tribes had not yet been allotted their land. Joshua told them to send out three men from each tribe to explore and map the land. Once they returned, Joshua cast lots before God to divide the remaining land among the remaining seven tribes.

Lilies framed by an orchid
Lilies framed by an orchid

Luke 19:1-27

     As Jesus entered Jericho, there was a man named Zacchaeus who wanted to see Jesus but he was too short to see over the crowd. Zacchaeus ran a bit ahead and climbed a fig tree so that he could see over the crowd. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector in the region and had become very wealthy from it. When Jesus came by the tree Zacchaeus was in, He told him to come down because He needed to be a guest at Zacchaeus’ house that day. The crowd was largely unhappy with Jesus’ choice because Zacchaeus was hugely unpopular and seen (probably accurately) as a sinner and traitor to his people. Zacchaeus, however, responded to Jesus’ outreach by vowing to give half of his wealth to the poor and repay anyone he cheated on their taxes back fourfold. Jesus affirmed Zacchaeus’ actions by saying that salvation had come to his house. Jesus tells the people that He came to seek and save the lost. Jesus did not just go about His life and preach to those who happened to meet. He actively sought out the lost to bring them to salvation. Do I seek out the lost to bring them to salvation?
     Jesus then tells a parable of a master who is called away to become king of a distant land. Before he leaves, he gives a sum of money to each of ten servants with instructions to put the money to work while he was away. When he returned he called the servants to give an accounting of the money they had been given. The first comes to him and tells him that he had increased the sum tenfold. The master gives him charge of ten cities in his new kingdom. A second servant comes before the master and tells him that he increased the sum five-fold. The master gives this servant charge of five cities. Another servant comes before the master and returns to him the money he had been given, telling his master that he kept it safely hidden because he knew his master would take as his own whatever he gained. The master asked this servant why he did not at least deposit the money where it could earn some interest and then took the money from him. This passage has always been a challenge to me because I feel that God has given me many gifts AND that I have failed to make the best use of them. Do I use the assets God has given me to my fullest ability to grow the Kingdom of God? Do I use the talents, material wealth and other gifts which God has given me in order to seek and save the lost? I will strive to remember that such is the purpose for which God has given these things to me.

Magrat's camouflage
Magrat’s camouflage

Psalm 87:1-7

     I read this psalm and I find two things. The first is that the psalmist is speaking of the glory of Jerusalem and how wonderful it is to live there/have been born there. However, I also read the psalm as psalm of praise about God’s great love for people. I read this psalm as a proclamation from God that He will make those who acknowledge Him “natural-born” citizens of the City of God. No matter what our start in life, if we acknowledge God He will make it as if we had always been a part of His Kingdom.

Beautiful orchids
Beautiful orchids

Proverbs 13:11

     Money earned by tricks and schemes is quickly spent. If on the other hand you work hard and build wealth slowly, you will learn the habits necessary to sustain that wealth.

Daily Bible Study

October 17, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

Magnus the Fencer

Jeremiah 30-31:26

     Through Jeremiah God promises to restore the people of Israel after they have been thoroughly punished for their sins. He tells them that He will pass judgement against those that have mistreated them. God will turn their mourning into joy. All of this is true and applies to the people of Israel, but there is also a message here for those who love the Lord who are not biological descendants of Abraham. When we sin God will discipline us so that we will turn back to Him and to righteous deeds. When we turn back to Him, He will comfort us and turn our mourning into joy. God will give rest to the weary if they will only lay their burdens on Him rather than insisting on carrying them themselves.

Lake through the Trees

1 Timothy 2:1-15

     We are instructed to pray for all people. We should ask God to intercede on their behalf and we should thank God for them. I think that might be a challenge for us sometimes. There are people that we have trouble thanking God for. People that we would rather ask God to remove from our lives. But we are called to thank God even for those people we would rather not have to deal with. We need to remember that those people we find troublesome have been brought into our lives by God for a reason. In particular, we should pray for those in authority and give thanks for them. That can certainly be a trial for many of us. Can we be thankful for those in authority? Even when we think what they are doing is wrong? Nevertheless, we are called to do so. Further we are called to live quiet and peaceful lives, even when those in authority seem to be doing things that are contrary to the will of God. We are to do this because it pleases God.
     Paul tells us to pray in our places of worship with hands lifted up. But more importantly, he tells us to pray free from anger or controversy. There is something to the idea of praying with our hands lifted up. I learned sometime back that it is possible to alter how I feel in a particular situation by changing my body language. If I sit with my arms crossed while someone talks to me, not only do I give them the impression that I am unreceptive to what they are saying. I have discovered that I am less receptive to what they are saying. I have also found that when I am feeling down and depressed, if I make the effort to smile, some of that depression will lift. If I smile, I am more likely to feel happy. So, when we lift our hands when we pray, we are more open to God’s Spirit being poured out upon us than when we bow our heads and clasp our hands as if we are expecting to be justifiably reprimanded (although there is a time and place for that posture in prayer as well).

Another Selection from God’s Paint-By-Number Collection

Psalm 87:1-7

     All of those who choose to follow Christ have become citizens of the City of God, no matter where on earth they live. No longer are we to be citizens of the U.S. or citizens of India or Canada. Hong Kong, or Poland. We are to be citizens of the Kingdom of God. The source of our life springs from the City of God.

Moss-covered Stump

Proverbs 25:18-19

     Telling lies about others can do as much harm to them as physically attacking them. This harm can come not just from derogatory lies, but also from lies that claim positive attributes for the person that they do not possess. We are also told that relying on an untrustworthy person in times of trouble is like having a bad tooth or a lame foot. I pray that I am never that bad tooth or lame foot for someone.