Tag: Old Testament

June 14, 2023

June 14th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭8‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today is Flag Day in the United States. It’s a national day to be proud of our flag and our country. Nothing wrong with that.

Israel wanted some national pride. Samuel had done a good job of leading them but his sons were corrupt. All the nations around them had powerful kings to lead their nations. They wanted a king they could be proud of.

They couldn’t say God didn’t warn them.

We have an incredible amount of freedom to choose today. We not only choose our leaders but we also choose our careers, our spouses, where to live, who to hang out with, even what clothes to wear.

We have complete freedom to make our own decisions.

But we must also deal with the consequences of those decisions.

Israel was warned about choosing to have a king over them. They made that choice anyway and they had to deal with Saul.

We would do well to listen to God’s warnings to us if we want to avoid some of the horrible consequences of our decisions.

Have you had to deal with terrible consequences from bad decisions?
Are there decisions you face today that could have far reaching consequences?
May 31, 2023

May 31st, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I wish that could be said about me!

Hopefully I will prove reliable for the rest of my life and ministry.

What was Samuel’s secret to success?

1 – He was open to hearing from God.
2 – He got to know God’s voice.
3 – He was honest and open about what God said.

We can follow Samuel’s example.

1 – We should go into Bible study and prayer with an open mind and heart to the truth that God wants to bring to us.
2 – Our open mind should be tempered by how well we know the Lord’s voice. We know His voice by learning His Word. Scripture should be taken in the context of the whole Bible.
3 – We should be open about sharing the Word of God, not shoving it in people’s faces but living in such a way that they would want to hear about it from us the way people would come to Samuel for the Word.

Would you like to be successful in sharing God’s Word like Samuel?
Are you willing to take the time to get to know God’s voice in His Word?
May 27, 2023

May 27th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Joshua 4:1-9

Highlight Verse:

“We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’”
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Several years ago on this weekend, I was visiting Washington, DC and found myself in Arlington Cemetery. There was a general flow toward the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I followed the crowd and ended up in the amphitheater listening to a Memorial Day speech from the President.

While he was not the person I voted for, I found myself agreeing with him as he expressed the country’s gratitude for all the people who gave their lives for our freedom. He made sure that they were remembered for their sacrifice.

Today’s passage shows how Joshua memorialized God’s participation in bringing Israel into the Promised Land. He wanted to be sure the people did not forget God after they settled in the land.

We would do well to remember God’s role throughout history, the role of those who gave their lives for our freedom, and especially the sacrifice that Jesus made for our spiritual freedom!

Has Memorial Day become just an excuse to barbecue and take a day off work?
How will you remember those who sacrificed for your freedom?
May 26, 2023

May 26th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 61-63

Highlight Verse:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These are the words that Jesus read in a synagogue in Luke 4. When Jesus confirmed that the words were spoken about Him, the Jews turned on him and tried to throw Him over a cliff. I don’t think they were convinced that He was the Messiah.

Today, relatively few practicing Jews believe there will even be a Messiah.

Among all the world’s population, people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah are a small minority.

This verse by itself is enough to sadden me at that fact. The things that they miss out on!

He brings joys in the midst of poverty.

There is no greater healer from hurt than Jesus.

There is no one at all besides Jesus who can free us from the bonds of sin.

And those are just what this verse mentions. How rich are the mercies and blessings Jesus brings!

What has trusting in Jesus blessed you with?
If you haven’t trusted in Jesus, what’s holding you back?
May 23, 2023

May 23rd, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 35-36

Highlight Verses:

“Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him, saying, “Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel.” So God renamed him Israel.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭35‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In many cultures, a person is renamed upon a major life event. In Islam, it is common for a person to take a new name as a statement of faith. In most places, a spouse will often take a new last name upon marriage. Usually, an child will take a new last name upon adoption.

In Jacob’s case, his new title, meaning “the Lord fights” replaced his original title of “deceiver” to reflect a change in character when Israel stepped into the promised land.

When we turn to Jesus and accept His new life and forgiveness, we are given a new title – that of child of the King. Royalty!

That gives us certain rights and responsibilities.

It is the right of every child of God to tell Satan what he can go do with himself.

It is the right of every child of God to walk in joy.

It is the responsibility of every child of God to follow where He leads and bring others with us.

Are you listening to God’s name for you or the one that Satan would have you believe?
Are you acting as if God’s name for you is accurate?”
May 17, 2023

May 17th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Ruth 3-4

Highlight Verse:

““Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.””
‭‭Ruth‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have so many questions!

Why did Boaz sleep in the barn? How would Naomi know he would? Why didn’t Boaz pursue Ruth earlier?

I think it’s safe to say that it was tradition for farmers to sleep at the threshing floor at harvest time since Naomi knew he would be there.

In a time when everyone in Israel did as they pleased, Boaz stands out as a man of integrity.

Because of this, he would have assumed that Ruth would be claimed by the closer kinsman redeemer. Despite Ruth’s forwardness, he maintains his integrity by waiting to claim her until he gets the okay from that other man.

The real story here is Ruth.

With Naomi’s guidance, she sees the solution to their problems and boldly steps up and seeks that solution by asking Boaz to marry her (That’s what asking him to cover her meant in that culture).

Her boldness is balanced with humility that seeks what is right, not just what is best for her.

Because of her boldness her and Naomi’s poverty is ended.

Because of her boldness, she has a great grandson named David who would rule Israel with a heart after God.

Because of her boldness, we have a Messiah descended from her.

We would do well to imitate her balance of boldness and humility.

Have you had a time when you had to be bold and humble at the same time? Tell us about it.
Do you lean to boldness or humility or are you able to balance the two?
April 19, 2023

April 19th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“But before long, his hair began to grow back.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Can I admit that it was hard to keep today’s study positive?

Samson messed up in so many ways. Read through it and see for yourself. It culminated in his power being taken when his hair was cut. He was taken captive and brutally blinded.

Then comes today’s verse.

It’s a ray of hope in a devastated life.

He had to decide what to do with that hope.

Some would argue that he did the best possible thing by dealing such a crushing blow (pun intended) to the Philistines.

I’m not so sure. What I am sure of is that his motives were selfish. He wanted revenge for the loss of his eyes, not the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines.

Today, whether or not his decision was right is not what matters.

What does matter is that you know that even when your life has been fully defeated, God can restore your strength.

It’s up to you to decide what to do with that strength.

Choose wisely.

Is there a part of your life where you feel like you need to have your strength restored?
What can you do to help bring back that strength?
February 21, 2023

February 21st, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 12-13

Highlight Verse:

“The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭13‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Abram was generous in letting Lot choose where he wanted to settle. Certainly he was right to try to settle the disputes between his and Lot’s people.

Instead of working those differences out through arbitration or even chance, he allowed Lot to be selfish.

That choice came back to haunt them both as Lot’s family was irreparably damaged by his choice to associate with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

If they had reasoned together, perhaps they would have both avoided associating with Sodom and Gomorrah and the subsequent troubles.

Instead Abram abdicated responsibility and Lot chose poorly.

How do you settle disputes among your family members?
What would have had the best outcome for Abram and Lot’s families?
How do you find the best outcome for your family?

I should note that this is one situation that I do not have any strong wise answers for.
February 19, 2023

February 19th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 22-24

Highlight Verses:

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Feel the desperation as David cries out in anguish for his descendant.

He felt the depth of despair that Jesus felt as He departed from the Father’s presence in order to pay the price for our sins.

Think of your deepest moment of despair. That desperate sadness that rendered you immobile; that racked your mind and body with the worst imaginable pain.

Jesus felt that.

He took on all the pain of all believers for all time.

For that He cried out “Why have you forsaken me?”

David doesn’t end the Psalm there.

Neither did Jesus.

In three days, He rose to great joy. Later, He ascended to heaven to await the companionship of all who would follow Him.

He took on our pain and changed it to celebration.

He turned our mourning into dancing.

Do you struggle with believing that God wants to take on your hurts?
Can you give them up to Him and exchange them for joy?
February 17, 2023

February 17th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 19-21

Highlight Verse:

“the Lord told Isaiah son of Amoz, “Take off the burlap you have been wearing, and remove your sandals.” Isaiah did as he was told and walked around naked and barefoot.”

Isaiah 20:2 NLT

Yes, I admit that I chose this verse because it made me laugh.

If I were a prophet today and God told me to go around naked and barefoot would I do it? If I did, I’m sure I’d be arrested and forced to wear a jumpsuit or maybe one of those white jackets with the really long sleeves.

I don’t believe God would tell a prophet today to go around naked. That would be seriously inappropriate.

I do believe that God asks people to do radical things for Him.

I remember the story of a man who, while he was waiting for a plane, heard God tell him to stand on his hands. After he argued with God and himself, he did it. He was quickly approached by a man who told him that he was ready to reject God altogether, resorting to an ultimatum. He told God that he would believe in Him if He sent someone to stand on their head in the middle of that waiting area. The rest is history.

I’ve never had God ask me to stand on my head. But I have heard Him call me to start my own business so that I could attend Bible College. He also called me to commit to teaching the boys of the class of 2028 at church.

Perhaps you have more radical things God has called you to do.

What has God called you to do that is out of the ordinary?

Are you willing to follow God’s radical callings?

Tag: Old Testament

They couldn’t say God didn’t warn them.

We have complete freedom to make our own decisions.

We would do well to listen to God’s warnings to us if we want to avoid some of the horrible consequences of our decisions.

What was Samuel’s secret to success?

We would do well to remember God’s role throughout history, the role of those who gave their lives for our freedom, and especially the sacrifice that Jesus made for our spiritual freedom!

He brings joys in the midst of poverty.

There is no greater healer from hurt than Jesus.

There is no one at all besides Jesus who can free us from the bonds of sin.

When we turn to Jesus and accept His new life and forgiveness, we are given a new title – that of child of the King. Royalty!

In a time when everyone in Israel did as they pleased, Boaz stands out as a man of integrity.

The real story here is Ruth.

Her boldness is balanced with humility that seeks what is right, not just what is best for her.

We would do well to imitate her balance of boldness and humility.

Can I admit that it was hard to keep today’s study positive?

Then comes today’s verse.

What does matter is that you know that even when your life has been fully defeated, God can restore your strength.

Choose wisely.

Instead of working those differences out through arbitration or even chance, he allowed Lot to be selfish.

Instead Abram abdicated responsibility and Lot chose poorly.

Feel the desperation as David cries out in anguish for his descendant.

Jesus felt that.

David doesn’t end the Psalm there.

Neither did Jesus.

He took on our pain and changed it to celebration.

He turned our mourning into dancing.