by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Kings 3-5
Solomon begins his reign with everything going for him.
There is peace all around and his country is unified and strong. In fact, very strong and prosperous. Solomon’s provision is abundant and his military might is also.
Good times for the nation of Israel.
God gives Solomon a dream in which he sees himself asking for wisdom – an understanding heart to judge between good and evil. A wisdom to lead the people in God’s way. In the dream, God is happy at the request and promises to give Solomon, not only wisdom, but riches and long life also. As Solomon awakens, it’s as if he had asked these things himself, and all of these blessings begin to come to him. God gives him great wisdom – so much so that he becomes famous for his ability to discern and rule justly.
There is one hint, however, that things will not always go so well. I Kings 3:3 says, “Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.” It’s a tiny mention, but it’s important in the long run.
The high places were altars put on the hills around the land. They were like substitutes for the Ark of the Covenant and the real altar of God. I little bit of compromise was there.
Still, with that tiny mention of compromise, Solomon is pursuing God. He begins to make provision to build a house for his Creator. The vision for the famous Solomon’s Temple is beginning to take shape.
Only the best materials for God’s temple. The finest timber, the most beautiful rocks, the finest all the way around.
Luke 20:1-26
Once again the scribes and pharisees try to trick Jesus, but they just can’t do it! His wisdom is beyond anything they have ever seen. There is no trick question which can be a “gotcha” moment for the Son of God. He always has a discerning answer to their questions.
“They watched Him and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so as to deliver Him up to the rule and authority of the governor.”(v. 20) “But He detected their trickery and said…” (v.23) They just didn’t realize who they were dealing with!
In verses 9-18, Jesus tells a parable, which is really a prophecy for the Jews. He speaks of a vineyard planted by a man who went on a journey. At harvest time, he sent back slaves for some of the produce, but the slaves were beaten and sent away. (These slaves are a type for the prophets).
Then the vineyard owner said ,”I’ll send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.”(v.13). Yet the vine-growers killed the only son, thinking the inheritance would be theirs.
The owner of the vineyard would now come and take the vineyard away from them and give it to others.
What is Jesus saying? He is saying that Israel has been God’s vineyard – His special nation, cared for and tended with love. Yet the caretakers of this vineyard have not honored the prophets, and now they haven’t honored His Son. There was about to be a change of dispensation.
After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the vineyard (God’s planting on the earth) would go into the hands of Christians. Those who believe on Jesus would now be God’s covenant people.
In this new covenant, there would be no difference between Jew and Gentile. The new covenant would be based on a relationship with God through Jesus, His Son.
The Jews were “rejecting the cornerstone of God’s building,” Jesus. (v.17)
Now those of us who receive Jesus as our Savior are part of the new building – or the new covenant, and ours is a better covenant than the first one.
We are such a blessed people!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Kings 1-2
Those transitions are rough, aren’t they? There is always someone waiting in the wings to take over the kingdom. So Adonijah tries it this time, and at first, looks like he is succeeding.
But wait, God has another plan.
When we are reading all of this history, with all of its bloodshed, it’s important to remind ourselves why these people are so important to God. His plan is working even when it doesn’t look like it.
The real reason that these Israelites are so important is that through His covenant with Abraham, God has been raising up a strong nation for His purpose. That nation will eventually bring the Savior of the world into the earth. In order to do that, He has brought the law and His prescriptions for walking in His way.
Even though he isn’t a perfect man – not by a long shot – David is God’s man, and he has certain attributes which are desirable in a man of God. One of those attributes is that he keeps his word.
As David charges his son, Solomon, to take over the throne, he reminds him of his responsibility.
“Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn.”(2:3).
So the throne is passed to Solomon, the son of Bathsheba. This in itself is interesting, isn’t it? Bathsheba is the one with whom David had had an adulterous relationship.
The choice shows God’s mercy. David had repented for this great sin, and the sin was forgiven.
When God forgives us, we are truly forgiven. The slate is washed clean, and we are ready for our new assignments.
He is indeed a faithful and merciful God to those who are in covenant with Him.
Luke 19:28-48
Do you have “ears to hear and eyes to see?” Are you tuned into God’s Spirit so that you can understand spiritual things?
That’s what the Pharisees lacked in the days of Jesus.
As He stood upon the hill above Jerusalem, Jesus wept. Sorrow filled His heart because the Jews didn’t “recognize the time of their visitation.”(v.44)
You might say, “Why didn’t they?” These Jews were scholars who studied the scriptures. They thought that they knew God’s Word. Why didn’t they recognize the Day?
It has to do with the heart of man. They approached the Word with an attitude of pride, and not humility. They wanted to draw attention to themselves as they demanded the place of respect. They honored men more than God. They weren’t tuned in to God’s Spirit.
Today we have the same. There are men and women who are supposedly representing God, who are actually enemies of the cross.
Wow! Those are tough words!
Tough, but true. Instead of listening to God and representing His Word, these people are filled with human wisdom – and not God’s wisdom. They change the Word to suit their own pleasures – and as such, put themselves in a higher place than they should.
Today, Jesus is not here in body, but He is in Spirit. His Holy Spirit lives in the heart of men and women who have received Him, and He is teaching His own, when they will listen.
I want to be a listener, don’t you? I want to hear from God’s Holy Spirit and receive His Word. I want to know what He is saying to me, and I want to take heed to those Words.
I want to be able to recognize the days in which we are living – and to make the most of them.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 23-24
First in this passage we encounter a listing of the Mighty Men of David. Just a reminder as to where these men came from – they were those who were in debt, in distress, and discontented when they came to David. The Lord has truly been with them as they have grown in their ability and position.
Then we come to something very interesting. David counts the people.
In this day and age, it seems that counting the people would be a valid request to make. Yet with David, this was a sin. Why would that be?
Joab has the answer to that question when he says, “Now may the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are.” In other words, when God is leading the army of David, a few can do what hundreds could do in the natural.
Throughout the Bible we see small numbers – or seemingly insignificant people – being chosen by God to do great things for Him. The reason: He shows that with Him all things ar possible. Natural limitations are not there when God is involved.
That’s our Father’s way. He loves to prove Himself to His people in many different ways.
In our lives today, He is the same. If we really trust Him and believe in Him, we will see many impossible situations turn possible. We will see “impossible” people turn their lives to Him and change. We will see “impossible” diseases healed. We will see “impossible” accidents deliver no harm. And on and on.
Our God is limitless in His power. The limit is in our faith.
I want to count on Him to do a lot with a little, don’t you? My focus is not in the numbers or natural abilities; it’s in my Father’s mighty power.
Luke 19:1-27
We each have our talents. We each have our place in God’s kingdom – and our purpose designed by Him.
It’s so easy to look around and think that we are not important. In this day of celebrity mania, with many sitting in the bleachers watching others live their lives, that “unimportant” tag seems to beckon us.
However, our Creator sees it differently. He sees who He created us to be – an important part of His kingdom, and He wants us to develop who we are. We are all significant in His eyes.
So what part do you play? Only you and God can settle that for sure, but you do have a part. So whatever that part is, it should be played to the fullest.
In the church, all of the gifts are needed. There are exhorters and encouragers, teachers, those good at hospitality, or maintenance, or cleaning. When everyone is making their contribution, there’s a flow to the work.
Or maybe your part is played to the community as a whole – in leadership or as a volunteer.
Let’s develop our gifts and be found faithful using them – all as our Father designed.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 21-22
David gives his God all the praise for his victories.
You could contrast David’s attitude with Saul’s and you realize why David is called a “man after God’s own heart.” When David wins a battle, he never seems to take the glory for himself. He knows that without God, he is nothing.
Yet, with God, he can do anything. He can “run through a troop and leap over a wall.”(v.30)
Now in our day, Jesus has come, and we are born again of Him. We have God’s Spirit living inside of us.
We are still taking a Promised Land, but that land is the land of promises given through Jesus. It includes blessings for our families, our health, provision, and victory over demonic forces who try to hinder us.
Still He is our rock and our deliverer. When forces come against us at work, He is our shield. When we are misunderstood and falsely accused, He is our fortress.
Our Father is the One to whom we run in times of trouble. He “draws us out of many waters, and delivers us from our strong enemy.”(V.18)
I am so thankful that we have such a wonderful God. He is all-powerful and all-knowing. Nothing catches Him by surprise. He is perfect.
Yet, this perfect God, who has all power and might, and knows everything, is also a God of love. He loves us with a love which cannot truly be comprehended. That love is greater than our minds can understand.
Oh, I praise Him today. I praise Him for delivering me from myself. I praise Him for taking my sin and nailing it to the cross.
He is my Rock, my Deliverer, and my Salvation.
Luke 18:24-43
As we read the scriptures, there are times when we come upon something so powerful, so far above our understanding, that we just pass over it – as if it weren’t there.
Verses 29 and 30 are like that. They say that if anyone has left anything for Jesus, he will receive many times as much in this life. In fact, this same incident is even elaborated on more in Mark 10:31. His account says, “100 times as much.”
There are times when following the Lord costs people. Perhaps they are called to a foreign land, and they have to leave their families for years at a time. That’s hard.
Then there are times when people are called to leave good jobs to follow the Lord’s leading. That can be hard, too.
The promise the Lord has, however, is extremely great. He says that those who have to leave something in following Him, will receive many times as much – or one hundred times as much – in this lifetime.
Many times I think that with the families, the return is in a greater relationship with those families – even though they had to be left geographically. Then too those families have greater blessing because of one person’s obedience.
As for houses and land, I personally think that it’s a matter of faith. These things can be brushed aside and ignored, or they can be pursued.
Anything that Jesus says is true. If we don’t see it happening, there’s another reason for it. It’s not because He missed it.
I want to be like the woman with the issue of blood. I want to reach out and touch the hem of His garment for every promise He has made – for myself and my children and my children’s children.
How about you?
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 19-20
The king returns to Jerusalem. Yet it’s a mixed day for God’s people.
Since the rebellion of Absalom, there had been much confusion. Many had sided with Absalom – just because he seemed to be the victor. Now they find themselves in trouble.
David has to have a gift of merc! As he is returning, men come out to meet him and give their excuses as to why they chose to stay with Absalom. Even Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son who had been so lavishly treated by David, had stayed – and he had his excuse.
Mercy to all of them. That’s David’s way. He wants the bloodshed to stop and for there to be peace in Israel.
However, there can’t be true peace as long as someone is still in rebellion. So Sheba, the son of Bichri who is causing the Israelites to rebel, has to be dealt with.
The armies are sent – and Joab brings down the rebellion. He’s now over the whole army of Israel – Israel and Judah.
It’s interesting to see that there seems to be a root of division which continues to develop between Israel and Judah. ( Israel is larger, with ten tribes and Judah has only two). Watch for this as we proceed.
It seems like a “root of bitterness” which can spring back up.
In our personal lives, in our families and churches, it’s so important to keep the roots of bitterness plucked up. If these roots are allowed to stay – with just the fruit dealt with – eventually they will spring up again and cause great division.
I pray that all of us will allow the Father to pluck up those roots. To eradicate them completely from the soil of our hearts. We want God’s best – which comes with an honest and good heart – free from strife.
Let’s forgive, forgive, and forgive again.
Luke 18:1-27
There is such a fine line between self-righteousness and true righteousness.
We stand righteous before God today if we are born again. He has given us that wonderful gift. We didn’t earn it – and we don’t deserve it. It’s a gift, because of His great love for us.
Just as Mephibosheth was allowed to come to the king’s table, so are we invited to our King’s table. And the fare there is good, indeed.
The flip side of this is that we don’t come because of our own works. That’s what the Pharisee tries to do.(v.10-14).
He comes to the Lord bragging on his own goodness. He fasts twice a week, pays his tithes, and isn’t a swindler or an adulterer. Yet that works mentality isn’t what causes us to receive from our God.
We receive from Him when we come humbly, realizing that in ourselves, without Jesus, we don’t have anything to offer. It’s the sacrifice of Jesus which has caused us to be made righteous.
Now do we want our lives to be holy and pure? Of course we do. When we are in love with Jesus and when we allow ourselves to be led by Him, we want to please Him in every respect.
But that still is not where our righteousness comes from. It’s still an undeserved gift we receive through faith.
In this story of the pharisee and the publican, Jesus had not yet gone to the cross. There had been no sacrifice for sin. They were operating under the old covenant.
Jesus was still pointing to the new, however, as he describes these two. True repentance is necessary to receive the work of the cross.
We die to self and live to Him. And the gifts we receive in Him are truly incredible.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 16-18
A father’s love just doesn’t stop, does it? What a demonstration of it as David’s men have to face the rebellious Absalom.
David has left Jerusalem, but that isn’t good enough for Absalom. The son goes out to war against his father and his men. He is determined to steal the kingship for good.
His plan doesn’t work, and he gets killed instead. Such sorrow for David.
When the report comes to David, there is only one thing on his mind. How is my son, Absalom? How is my son, Absalom? No rejoicing until he finds the answer to that question.
Heartbreak for the king.
When I read this story, I think about our Father’s love for us. Regardless of what we have done, our Father’s heart is pulling for us. He wants us to repent, but He also wants our welfare – never judgment.
Today, I want to meditate on that terrific love He has for me. I want my eyes to be opened to receive it more than ever.
If God is for me, who can be against me? The answer: nobody!
Luke 17:20-37
As Jesus reveals His kingdom, His disciples must have been confused. Many of the things He says to them as He is with them can’t be understood until later – after He has sent back the Holy Spirit.
They are going into uncharted waters. No one has seen or heard what they will see and hear shortly, so there is no way they can understand it until it comes. Then they will say, “Oh, so that’s what He was talking about.”
It’s the same today. Some aspects of God’s plan haven’t happened yet.
There will be a wrapping up of this age, and God’s plan will come into completion. Just as in the days of Noah and just as in the days of Lot, people will be eating and drinking and going about their daily lives, totally oblivious to God and His kingdom. Then He will appear.
We like to see things, don’t we? We want to touch and feel and see and hear. We are led by our senses and our reasoning. If God moves in a way we haven’t seen before, the human mind wants to discount it.
When Jesus says that His Kingdom ” is not coming with signs to be observed…for behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”(v.20-21), He is speaking of the new birth. God’s kingdom has come – and it’s within the hearts of men.
If you don’t have this kingdom – this new birth – its foolish to you. It makes no sense to the natural mind.
Yet one thing is for sure. God is the Creator of the natural mind and He makes it clear that there is something higher and greater. The born again spirit of a man is that something.
I’ve been on both sides, and I know how it happens. There was a time in my life when my life was based on nothing but reason. I had been raised in church, but I had never really understood about the new creation – the new birth.
Then one day, after some desperation in my life, I received the new birth. My mind was totally blown! It was shocking to me to realize that there was something so significant that I had never really known.
Suddenly, I began to see and hear what God was speaking to me. Me! He was speaking to me personally. Amazing!
The Word of God began to come alive. No longer was it just one more book. It was The Book! My Father began to speak to me as I read it.
That was many years ago, and the same awe is there when I read His Word.
I truly think that God’s Word – the Bible – is one of the greatest miracles of all times. He spoke to many men over many centuries and they recorded what he said. As we read it from beginning to end as we are doing now, we see how there is a consistency which is astounding.
It’s the love story between God and His creation.
If you are born again, you know what I am talking about. If you aren’t born again, and don’t “get it,” then why don’t you ask your Father to open your eyes?
He would love to have His kingdom – His Spirit – come to live inside of you, and to adopt you as His child. It’s better than you can imagine.
