Tag: Old Testament

February 21, 2024

February 21st, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 6-8

Highlight Verse:

““Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I’ve seen a lot of miracles over the years.

But I have never seen an axe head float.

Sometimes God uses some very unorthodox ways to get our attention.

Whether it be a mechanical miracle or the right words at the right time to encourage me, God has always known how to wake me up.

In what ways has God gotten your attention?
Have you always paid attention when unusual things happen?
February 20, 2024

February 20th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What was your reaction when you first read this story?

If you’re like me, you may have found it a bit harsh. Okay, maybe very harsh.

I mean, what was so bad about adding a little variety to the rituals?

Pride.

You see, Nadab and Abihu wanted to show they knew how to do religious rituals better than Moses.

It’s possible that they didn’t really believe in God and thought these religious rights were just a show. And what a show they would put on.

God’s show was more impressive.

I am glad that we live under a new covenant of grace and mercy because my pride can show up from time to time.

There’s something to be said for community pride and patriotic pride.

But when my pride puts me before God, that’s misplaced pride.

That kind of pride truly goes before a fall.

Just ask Nabad and Abihu.

What do you think Nadab and Abihu’s motivations were for doing things their own way?
Like me, do you struggle with too much pride?
Where do you find a balance between too much pride and too little self esteem? (We could have a whole other conversation about that).
February 18, 2024

February 18th, 2024
Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 11

Highlight Verse:

”The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s be honest – Sin is fun…

In the moment.

And then come the consequences.

The lies to cover it up.

The relationships damaged.

The mental and emotional damage from dealing with guilt.

The physical damage from neglecting or essentially poisoning our bodies.

It’s a weight that can become enormous if not dealt with.

But with honesty comes confession and repentance.
- We all sin, but if we are honest with God, He is faithful to forgive those sins for those who trust Him.
- If we are honest with trusted friends, we avoid many of those sins through accountability.
- If we are honest with ourselves, we realize that we can’t live perfect lives in our own power.
So, yes, “The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.”

Are there any areas where shame or greed has kept you from honesty?
Do you have friends with whom you can be completely honest?
February 16, 2024

February 16th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 40-42

Highlight Verse:

“He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.””
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭40‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have a book that lists details from every year and model of Type 3 Volkswagen from the Squareback to the Fastback, Notchback, and Euro-spec Karmann Ghia’s (the US got Karmann Ghia’s based on the Type 1 beetle platform).

Why would I have a book like that?

When I retire, one of the first projects I want to do is to restore an old VW Squareback.

I know I sound crazy but they’re cheap to buy and easy to work on and one figures prominently in my Wil Clarey novel series.

That book gives me encouragement as I look forward to the day I retire.

Ezekiel’s prophecy here seems unnecessarily detailed. But it gives the people of Israel something to look forward to on the day that they return from exile.

One of the first projects they want to do is to rebuild the temple.

This prophecy gives them encouragement toward that goal.

What odd things have given you encouragement?
Does this passage give you any ideas on how you can encourage others?
February 14th, 2024

February 14, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 3-5

Highlight Verse:

“So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was close to my Grandma Clarey.

So when I got word that she was close to dying, I had to get there.

Problem was, my car needed a new clutch and there were two mountain passes between me and her.

My then fiancé and I set out anyway.

When the clutch started slipping on the gentle hills on the way out of town, we prayed.

The clutch did not slip the rest of the way there and back. Two steep passes twice and not a single slip.

The next day the car would barely move.

If anyone tries to tell you that God doesn’t work miracles anymore, don’t believe them.

He provided for the widow in 2 Kings and for many others in the Bible and ever since.

While He doesn’t always do everything we ask since we can’t see the big picture, He’s still the Creator and can bend the rules of creation any time He likes.

I say, bring it on!

Have you seen God provide miraculously in your life? Please share it!
Is there any reason that you have a hard time believing that God can provide no matter what?
February 13, 2024

February 13th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“If any of the meat from the peace offering is eaten on the third day, the person who presented it will not be accepted by the Lord. You will receive no credit for offering it. By then the meat will be contaminated; if you eat it, you will be punished for your sin.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Long before science had any concept of germs, the Bible was protecting people from food-borne illness.

This actually goes way back to Genesis with the banning of pork. While pork (and bacon!) is safe for us to eat now, it was a very easy way to get tapeworms back then.

While my professors at Bible college made it very clear that the Bible was not intended to be a science textbook, it is amazing how many statements in the Bible point to it being far ahead of the time of writing in various areas of science.

The rules of diet (kosher rules) probably saved the early Hebrews from a ton of misery.

If He could protect His people from that which they knew nothing of back then, certainly He can protect His people from our own ignorance today.

Have you ever considered the fact that the rules in the Bible were for our good?
What rules do you know of in the Bible that would help us if we followed them today?
February 7, 2024

February 7th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. “Go away, baldy!” they chanted. “Go away, baldy!”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How rude!

But was the mockery worth cursing them so that they were mauled by bears?

I always thought this was a bit harsh until I saw that 42 of the “youths” (A term which can mean anything from teen to twenty something) were mauled by the bears.

Forty two!

That was a heck of a crowd that was threatening Elisha. He had to be concerned for his life.

Add to that, as one of the commentaries (blueletterBible.org) on this verse mentions, this was the city where the people worshiped a golden calf, and they had no happy thoughts for a prophet who made it clear that idol worship was strictly forbidden.

So, while the bear mauling may sound harsh, God put a high priority on protecting his prophet.

Now that we are the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), I believe God places a high priority on protecting us.

What would you do in Elisha’s place?
Do you think that the right thing happened?
February 6, 2024

February 6th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“Through this process, the priest will purify you before the Lord, making you right with him, and you will be forgiven for any of these sins you have committed.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I cannot claim to have a good understanding of the sacrifice system.

But I know that the priests were busy.

Very busy.

If there’s one thing that’s true about us humans is that we mess up.

A lot.

I’m sure that there were many who came to the tabernacle to give sacrifices everyday. Most likely, everyone should have.

Of course, Jesus put an end to the sacrifice system by making the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. He gave himself that we might live.

While we no longer have to worry about bringing a sacrifice for every sin, there’s one part of this chapter that applies just the same today.

The moment you realize that you have sinned, confess.

Don’t put it off. Take immediate care of it.

The forgiveness is immediate.

There’s no reason to live with it for one second longer.

I should point out that I believe that, once you have trusted Jesus and accepted His grace and mercy, His sacrifice covers the guilt of all your sins, past, present, and future.

Confession not only reinforces that trust but helps us deal with the guilty feelings.

When those feelings stack up, trust wavers. When we deal with them right away, faith grows.

When you realize that you have sinned, do you confess to God immediately?
Do you believe that Jesus can take away all your sins?
January 31, 2024

January 31st, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Kings 21-22

Highlight Verse:

“An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. “Turn the horses and get me out of here!” Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. “I’m badly wounded!””
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭22‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This story happened after God had spared Ahab because he had repented. By this time, Jehoshaphat, the good king of Judah, had made peace with him.

Jehoshaphat was so intent on keeping that peace that he went along with Ahab’s plans to survive despite what the prophet Micaiah had predicted. (Read the whole chapter for more details).

God faithfully protected Jehoshaphat despite his foolish obedience to Ahab.

The prophecy against Ahab, however, was fulfilled despite their best efforts to protect him.

There are many nuances to this whole story.

To me, the bottom line is two fold.

First, God may change His plans for someone who is truly repentant.

He did this when Ahab repented.

Second, no amount of selfish scheming, no matter how clever, can stop God’s plans from being fulfilled.

Even though his clever plans fooled the enemy, God brought the arrow that broke Ahabs plans.

Have you ever tried to outsmart God? How’d that work for you?
Have you seen God pour out his grace and change the circumstances around you when you truly repented? Please share with us.
January 28, 2024

January 28th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 9

Highlight Verse:

”Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The older I get, the more I appreciate this verse.

My father was just 5 years older than I am now when he passed away. Unfortunately, he did not live wisely most of his life and the cigarettes and alcohol did not do him any favors.

Even as I write this, I think of those who did live wisely who did not live long lives.

Just in the past year or so, I’ve lost two pastor friends to heaven. Both were about my age.

What about them?

I cannot begin to understand God’s reasoning for calling them and many others home.

I can understand the peace in each of their lives in their last days.

One of them I had the privilege of seeing a couple weeks before he passed. In his presence, though I knew he was in pain, I felt such a sense of peace.

So, maybe this verse refers not just to time but to quality time.

In wisdom, these friends of mine were able to live out their days in joy and peace.

I pray for that joy in my life and in yours.

What is your take on this verse?
How has wisdom increased your days?

Tag: Old Testament

I’ve seen a lot of miracles over the years.

Whether it be a mechanical miracle or the right words at the right time to encourage me, God has always known how to wake me up.

What was your reaction when you first read this story?

Pride.

But when my pride puts me before God, that’s misplaced pride.

Let’s be honest – Sin is fun…

In the moment.

It’s a weight that can become enormous if not dealt with.

But with honesty comes confession and repentance.

That book gives me encouragement as I look forward to the day I retire.

This prophecy gives them encouragement toward that goal.

Problem was, my car needed a new clutch and there were two mountain passes between me and her.

When the clutch started slipping on the gentle hills on the way out of town, we prayed.

The clutch did not slip the rest of the way there and back. Two steep passes twice and not a single slip.

I say, bring it on!

Long before science had any concept of germs, the Bible was protecting people from food-borne illness.

If He could protect His people from that which they knew nothing of back then, certainly He can protect His people from our own ignorance today.

I always thought this was a bit harsh until I saw that 42 of the “youths” (A term which can mean anything from teen to twenty something) were mauled by the bears.

Now that we are the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), I believe God places a high priority on protecting us.

If there’s one thing that’s true about us humans is that we mess up.

The moment you realize that you have sinned, confess.

When those feelings stack up, trust wavers. When we deal with them right away, faith grows.

God faithfully protected Jehoshaphat despite his foolish obedience to Ahab.

The prophecy against Ahab, however, was fulfilled despite their best efforts to protect him.

First, God may change His plans for someone who is truly repentant.

Second, no amount of selfish scheming, no matter how clever, can stop God’s plans from being fulfilled.

The older I get, the more I appreciate this verse.

I can understand the peace in each of their lives in their last days.

So, maybe this verse refers not just to time but to quality time.