Tag: Old Testament

June 15, 2024

June 15th, 2024
Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Numbers 22:21-41

Highlight Verse:

““But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?”
“No,” Balaam admitted.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭22‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today I decided to try to find the funniest story in the Bible.

My wife suggested this one. I agree with her.

Not only is Balaam saved by his donkey, the animal proceeds to explain the situation to him.

I mean, I’d be whipping out my cellphone and recording that conversation!

Yes, I know that cellphones didn’t exist back then, but NEITHER DID TALKING DONKEYS!

Well, except one.

I can’t leave this topic without quoting the song Balaam, that Don Francisco wrote in the late 70s.

The final lines read:

“So when the Lord starts usin’ you
Don’t you pay it any mind.
He could have used the dog next door
If He’d been so inclined.”
- Balaam, ©️1979, Don Francisco
The bottom line is God can use anyone or any thing He chooses.

And sometimes, the funnier, the better.

What do you think the most humorous story of the Bible is?
What have you learned from humor in the Bible?
June 12, 2024

June 12th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Chronicles

Highlight Verses:

“God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people— I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!””
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you’ve been here a while, you know I usually try to go for the more obscure verses to highlight.

I prayed for that today.

God said no.

Okay, I didn’t hear an audible “no” but I felt convicted since I knew that I sometimes seek wealth or recognition before wisdom.

This passage is the most popular part of today’s reading precisely because we need it so much.

It’s easy to think that I’m wise enough.

It’s not so easy to realize that any true wisdom I have comes from God. If I ignore what He says, that wisdom will blow away with the wind.

What is your first prayer for?
How firm is your grasp on wisdom?
June 11, 2024

June 11th, 2024
Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
- One sees the bone soaking cold rain darkening their spirits while another sees the miracle of water bringing life to the land.
- One sees the endless uphill trudge while another sees a majestic mountain to conquer.
- One hears an annoying high-pitched wail while another hears the healthy lungs of a newborn seeking love and attention.
- The majority of the Israelites saw potential defeat while Joshua and Caleb saw a land flowing with milk and honey that the Lord wanted to give to them.
When you look at your problems and challenges, what do you see?
June 9, 2024

June 9th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Ecclesiastes 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is a painful verse for a writer like me – even more painful when you consider how much I like to talk.

But then it was written by one of the more prolific writers in the Bible (Solomon).

In context, I believe this passage can be summed up as “you don’t know the big picture so don’t make promises you can’t keep.

I’ve been there. I’ve said I would do something and failed to follow through.

Sometimes outside circumstances intervened.

Sometimes I’ve flaked out.

Every time I should have followed the advice of this verse.

Now, most times, I pray it through and count the cost before I make promises. I still make mistakes but I am learning to keep my mouth shut and let my actions speak louder a little more often.

Have promises you’ve made gotten you into trouble before?
How do you wisely determine what promises to make?
June 8, 2024

June 8th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 2

Highlight Verse:

“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today is wedding day for my daughter Hannah so

I thought that a peek back to the origin of marriage would be appropriate.

Many would say that the story of Eve coming literally from Adam’s rib was a literal historical account.

I’d say, God could create people however He wanted to and I’m fine with that.

Even if you come from the viewpoint that this story is more poetic than literal, that doesn’t keep it from being true. It was not good for Adam to be alone.

For one thing, none of us would be here if they didn’t have kids.

Though God could have created another way for humans to procreate.

Instead, He made us male and female so that we could raise kids and live life in partnership.

We give each other companionship.

We encourage each other.

We keep each other from doing stupid things(or at least try).

We pour our lives into our children.

Most importantly, we show each other love.

God could have created us however He wanted to, but He chose to make us in His image.

And God is Love! (1 John 4:8)

There is much more I could write about this subject regarding those called to be single or the problems with “pride.” I haven’t forgotten those aspects, but I chose to celebrate marriage today.

If you are married, how many years have you been married (10 for us)?
What secrets can you share for a long happy marriage?
June 7, 2024

June 7th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Joel 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.”
‭‭Joel‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We all know that it’s important to pass on the stories of the Bible to the next generation.

In this case, the prophet Joel is urging people to pass on the story of a locust storm that is about to strike Israel.

To him, it is a contemporary event.

What about the stories that happen all around us – the contemporary events that shape our lives.

As any student I’ve taught can tell you, I love to tell of the real stories that have happened in my life to illustrate lessons I’ve learned.

If you’ve been reading this long enough, you know I sometimes use those stories here.

You can bet my kids know most of those stories too.

If we want to pass along our faith to our children, I think it’s important that they see it in action and hear of the stories that made it what it is.

What true stories have you passed along to your kids or to anyone of the next generations?
Can you share one here?
June 5, 2024

June 5th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 28-29

Highlight Verse:

“So now, with God as our witness, and in the sight of all Israel—the Lord’s assembly—I give you this charge. Be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, so that you may continue to possess this good land and leave it to your children as a permanent inheritance.”

1 Chronicles 28:8 NLT

My middle daughter is getting married in just a few days.

That wedding will be a public proclamation of their commitment to each other.

Some things need to be proclaimed publicly.

My daughter and son-in-law will be far more committed to each other if everyone knows they are married.

Solomon and the leaders of Israel were far more likely to follow through with the building of the temple and the worship of God when the entire nation knew what they had committed to doing.

Politicians will be far more committed… uhh… a bit more committed to follow through with something if they proclaim it publicly.

The point is, if it is important, we should make it known in public so that we will be fully committed to following through with what we proclaimed.

In the process, others may see our faithfulness and make some positive commitments of their own.

What kinds of things have you made public in your lives?

What are some other things that should be proclaimed but often are not?
June 4, 2024

June 4th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

On Sunday we were bumped from a flight.

No warning. No explanation. Just a “your flight information has changed.”

Granted, the new flight was a direct instead of connecting.

Still, we would be home and hour and a half later and were already at the airport where then had to wait for nearly 9 hours.

Do I sound like I’m whining?

Kinda like the Israelites were doing in today’s reading.

In the last hour of waiting for our new nearly on time direct flight, we heard the boarding announcement for our previous flight, over 4 hours late. We would have been stuck in Dallas with no connection.

Instead, the airline provided us with the best way home given the circumstances.

God was providing the best for the Israelites but the didn’t like it. So, he gave in to their demands.

They didn’t like that so much either.

God provides what’s best for us through the opportunities he places in our path.

We would do well to accept those opportunities, make the most of them, and be thankful in the midst of them.

On a side note, I feel like I should mention that I don’t believe that abusive situations are God’s best for anyone. In that sort of situation, I believe it is best to ask (beg) God for a way out and to seize that way out when it arises.

What plans has God changed for you that seemed bad at first but turned out good?
In what ways have you provided God’s answer for those in bad situations?
May 31, 2024

May 31st, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 13-14

Highlight Verses:

“I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land. But when you had eaten and were satisfied, you became proud and forgot me.”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My times of deepest faith came when things were the hardest.

Those days when I had no idea how I would make the rent or mortgage, much less buy food, forced me to rely on God completely.

A handful of times in my life, I have been to the point where I have had to say, “It’s all up to you, God. I’ve got nothing left.”

And every single time…

Not most of the time,

Every Single Time –

God came through.

Then, when I’m cruising through life and everything is going well, I tend not to think about where those blessings are coming from.

Worse, I tend to think about how well I’m doing at work or how good the budgeting is going.

I’m not saying those are bad things.

I am saying that all those blessings and opportunities ultimately have their source in the grace of God.

I need to keep that in mind and keep Him first, thanking Him for each and every blessing.

Have you learned to rely on God during the tough times?
Have you kept Him first in the good times as well?
Feel free to share stories of how God has blessed you in both the easy and the tough times.
May 29, 2024

May 29th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 25-27

Highlight Verse:

“Ahithophel was the royal adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭27‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I can’t believe I never noticed this before!

The Chronicler is listing off all these important officials and advisors to King David.

And then there’s Hushai the Arkite –

the king’s friend.

I love that!

All too often, people in leadership become isolated.

They get put on a platform of untouchability. Whether that’s from their own pride or because people fear getting too close. It varies from person to person.

I know of one pastor (I’m sure there are at least several more) of a large church who, in his isolation, let sin creep in and take over his life to the point where he lost everything. One true friend could have kept him on the right path.

If you are a leader and find people shying away from you, don’t be afraid to let down your guard and be friends with those around you.

If you happen to be acquainted with a leader that people respect so much that they shy away from friendship, offer your friendship with respect and honesty.

You could save someone’s life.

If you are a leader, have you experienced isolation? Have you escaped that isolation? How?
Are you a friend of a leader who might otherwise have been isolated? How did that friendship start?

Tag: Old Testament

Today I decided to try to find the funniest story in the Bible.

The bottom line is God can use anyone or any thing He chooses.

And sometimes, the funnier, the better.

God said no.

It’s not so easy to realize that any true wisdom I have comes from God. If I ignore what He says, that wisdom will blow away with the wind.

When you look at your problems and challenges, what do you see?

In context, I believe this passage can be summed up as “you don’t know the big picture so don’t make promises you can’t keep.

Every time I should have followed the advice of this verse.

I thought that a peek back to the origin of marriage would be appropriate.

Even if you come from the viewpoint that this story is more poetic than literal, that doesn’t keep it from being true. It was not good for Adam to be alone.

And God is Love! (1 John 4:8)

To him, it is a contemporary event.

If we want to pass along our faith to our children, I think it’s important that they see it in action and hear of the stories that made it what it is.

Some things need to be proclaimed publicly.

The point is, if it is important, we should make it known in public so that we will be fully committed to following through with what we proclaimed.

In the process, others may see our faithfulness and make some positive commitments of their own.

Do I sound like I’m whining?

God provides what’s best for us through the opportunities he places in our path.

My times of deepest faith came when things were the hardest.

Every Single Time –

God came through.

I need to keep that in mind and keep Him first, thanking Him for each and every blessing.

I can’t believe I never noticed this before!

the king’s friend.

You could save someone’s life.