Attributes and Relationships, Thursday, May 24, 2012

Today's reading in Proverbs covers a number of relationship issues.  The most colorful descriptions are in the category of "quarrelsome wife".  Solomon preferred several punishments over living with such a wife.  A beautiful woman lacking discretion is also compared unfavorable similes.  I was not able to find a suitable image of a gold ring in a pig's snout, so I settled for a definition of discretion:

dis·cre·tion/disˈkreSHən/

Noun:

The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.

Economic Well-Being, Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Today's reading tells us how to secure economic well-being.  The topics are wealth and poverty, benevolence and generosity, oppression of the poor, industriousness, conservation, and surety for another.  Most importantly:

"Rich and poor have this in common:  The Lord is the maker of them all."
Proverbs 22:2

Deceit, Dishonesty, Lies, tuesday, May 22, 2012

Today's reading in Proverbs discusses solicitation to evil, violence, murderers, causing others harm, revenge, dissension and strife, meddling, truthfulness, accurate weights, boundaries, bribery, false witnesses, open-mindedness, and judicial justice.  It is clear that God detests whatever is connected in any way with evil.  It is a long list.

"Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel."  Proverbs 20:17

Control of the Tongue, Monday, May 21, 2012

Today's reading in Proverbs cover the subject of the tongue.  I need to memorize all of these!

Proverbs 10:20 ".  .  .the tongue of the righteous is choice silver. . . ."

Proverbs 17:28  "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue."

Self-Control, Sunday, May 20, 2012

This whole set of Proverbs examines these areas of self-control:  rashness, temper and patience, drunkenness and gluttony, adultery and prostitution.  He compares a person with no self-control to a city with broken walls.  We are certainly left vulnerable if we fail to exercise self-control.

What is Your Motivation?, Saturday, May 19, 2012

Today's Proverbs ask us to exam the heart.  As humans we usually find our own actions to be innocent and righteous.  Solomon admonishes that hearts are weighed by God, and often His finding of our motivation are different.  We are also warned to be careful not to listen to the words of a man, but, rather, to carefully observe his actions.  This seems to be excellent advice during an election year -- or anytime!  If you haven't already had enough, here is a link to some of the debates from this campaign: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/presidential-debates

Wisdom: Give It and Responding to It, Friday, May 18, 2012

Today's Proverbs talk of the benefits of wisdom and the consequences of its lack.  In Proverbs 19 the wise are credited with being able to listen and respond to criticism, while the foolish need a beating to get their attention.  Most of us could attest to that!  More wisdom -- you are going to find what you go looking for, so be sure to seek goodwill, not evil.  Many good lessons -- many of us had to learn them the hard way.

Proverbs 9:8 ". . .rebuke a wise man and he will love you. . . ."  If we are not experiencing this type of response from our rebukes, perhaps we need to examine the way we deliver the rebuke (and to whom they are delivered).

Proverbs of Wisdom, Knowledge and Discernment, Thursday, May 17, 2012

Wisdom is compared to the fountain of life.

Proverbs 1:7

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

Proverbs of Solomon, Tuesday, May 16, 2012

Today's reading begins 11 days of Proverbs.  Proverbs are listed together with proverbs of similar subject.  I will not list the scripture citings because it would fill the page.  The Proverbs are written by Solomon, Agur and Lemuel.  No further identification is given for Agur and Lemuel.  Today is an introduction of the body of work and is under the heading of wisdom.  It is fitting that the subject of wisdom is all Solomon asked of God.  In Proverbs 8 he says:  "All the words of my mouth are just, non of them is crooked or perverse."  That is a very difficult standard achieve.

Proverbs 3:24  ". . .when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. . . ."

Construction of Solomon's Palace, Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Today's reading is I Kings 7-9 and II Chronicles 7-8.  Solomon's Palace took 6 years longer to build than the Temple.  It was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high.  Hmmm. . . bigger than the Temple?

And then the Queen of Sheba came to visit.  I find it amazing that without FaceBook, Twitter, or any of our media, news of Solomon traveled over 1,200 miles away.  And the news was so compelling that this Queen was willing to get on the back of a camel and travel that distance across a desert crisscrossed by bandits.  She took with her many gifts.  The gift of gold alone, amounted to $230,000,000 in today's market!  I tried getting directions from MapQuest.  The message was:  There was no available route.  I guess they don't do over the hill and through the sand.

Dedication of the Temple, Monday, May 14, 2012

Today's reading is I Kings 8 and II Chronicles 5-8.  After the Temple is completed, the Ark is brought by consecrated Levite priests and placed under the cherabim in the Most Holy Place.  During the dedication, music and singing accompanied the sacrifice of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats.  Again, the enormity of this undertaking needs to be pondered.  How do you feed and water and transport, let alone sacrifice, that many animals?  The sacrifices were consumed by fire from heaven and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple.  I don't even pretend to know what it would be like to witness that.  But, it is my hope that the "glory of the Lord" is a glimpse of what Heaven will be like.

Temple and Royal Palace, Sunday, May 13, 2012

Today's reading is I Kings 5-7 and II Chronicles 2:1.

Today's reading is I Kings 5-7 and II Chronicles 2:1-4.  Solomon acknowledges that the Temple cannot hold God and is for the purpose of offering sacrifices to him.  The enormity of the undertaking is hard to understand.  I am watching a Super WalMart and other stores being built near my house.  Cranes and earthmovers the size of my house worked for weeks before any construction began.  In constrast, this Temple was built without this labor-saving machinery.  In fact, 30,000 laborers from Israel were conscripted.  They worked in 3-month cycles (one month in Lebanon and two months at home) working on this structure.  In addition 153,600 "aliens" were put to work on the stones.  The Temple was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide and 45 feet high.  That would be at least as tall as a 4-story building.  The precious metals used to overlay most construction must have weighed tons.  But the really incredible part comes next.

Solomon is King, Saturday, May 12, 2012

Today's reading is I Kings 2:13-46; 3:1-3; 9:16; and II Chronicles 1.  Solomon begins his reign by seeking revenge on behalf of his father, David.  He executes Adonijah, Joab and Shimei and removes Abiathar as priest.  He then forms a peace alliance by marrying the daughter of Egypt's Pharoah.

Solomon begins his reign by answering God's offer with a request for wisdom over power, riches, or long life.  God blesses him greatly for this wise request.

Solomon is King, Friday, May 11, 2012

Today's reading is I Kings chapter 1 and 2:1-12; 2 Samuel 23:1-17; and I Chronicles 29.  David is very old and ready to die.  He has already promised Bathsheba that their son Solomon will be king after David.  While David is still alive, another son, Adonijah, makes a brief attempt to proclaim himself king.  Bathsheba and Nathan make David aware of this and Solomon is made king as promised. 

Ironic events take place.  First, Nathan, who indicted David regarding his sin with Bathsheba is now an important part of making their second son the new king.  Second, yet another of David's sons tries to steal away the kingship. 

I also found it interesting that the last thing mentioned is the list of "wrongs that need righting" left to Solomon by his father.

May 11, 2012

May 9 and 10, 2012

These two days' reading covers 8 Psalms:  22,27, 45, 47, 48, 87, and 110.  God in Heaven laughs at  the kings of the earth.  Why should we be upset or worried with global politics or economics?   God has made the nations of the earth the inheritance of Jesus Christ, His Son and my Savior.

"Blessed are all who take refuge in him."  Psalm 2:12

The God to Trust, Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Today's reading is Psalm 111, 130, 131, 141, and 146. 

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. . . ."  Psalm 111:10

Sing for Joy to God, Monday, May 7, 2012

Today's reading is Psalm 42, 53, 58, 81, and 101.

"No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence."  Psalm 101:8

The lack of truth in this statement for most of us is magnified by the number of "liar" jokes I found on the internet!

I Will Lie Down and Sleep in Peace, Sunday, May 6, 2012

Today's reading is Psalm 4, 12, 20, 25, 32, and 38.

"Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle. . . ."

I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Saturday, May 5, 2012

Today's reading is Psalm 139, 145, 148, and 150. 

". . .you knit me together in my mother's womb. . . ."  Psalm 139:13


EIGHT WEEKS (Embryo)

Our Help is in the Name of the Lord, Friday, May 4, 2012

Today's reading is Psalm 122, 124, 136, and 138.  The love and mercy of the Lord sustain me through all attacks and troubles.  If the Lord had not been on my side, the flood would have engulfed me many times.  Praise His Holy Name!

Blessed are the Blameless, Thursday, May 3, 2012

Today's reading is Psalm 119.  This is an amazing scripture.  It speaks of purity and blamelessness -- the advantage and difficulty of such a walk.  Meditation on and seeking of the Lord's decrees are important for such a walk.

He Forgives, Heals and Redeems, Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Today's reading is Psalms 103, 104, 113, 114, and 117.  God is so compassionate that ". . .He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. . . ." (Psalms 103:10), so gentle that ". . .He raises the poor from the dust. . . ." (Psalms 113:7), and so mighty that the earth trembles at His presence.  Praise the Lord.

Praise to the Judge of the Earth, Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Today's reading is Psalms 75, 92, 93, 94, 97, 98, 99, and 100.  This collections of psalms has much to say about our God.  He is from all eternity; He is mightier than the breakers of the sea, He knows the thoughts of man, He will destroy the wicked; He implanted the ear and formed the eye; and the heavens proclaim His righteousness.  The Lord our God is Holy!

Monday, April 30, 2012, God's Power

Today's reading is Psalms 29, 33, 65,66,67, and 68.  God's power is shown in thunder and lightening.  He tests and refines us, brings us to "prison", and finally to a place of abundance.

"Praise be to God." Psalms 68:35