21 August 2015

Scriptures:

• 1 Peter 1:13-2:3
• Jeremiah 51
• 1 Samuel 7:3-17
• Psalm 19

Observations:

The 1 Peter passage is about how we, as Christians, should be living. I see a definite emphasis on being holy and craving a deeper spiritual relationship with God. I also see encouragement to stay away from the sins of this world. The Jeremiah passage is a prophecy of vengeance against Babylon for their violence against Israel and the temple. In the Samuel passage, we see the establishment of Samuel as a judge. We also see his dedication to driving Israel towards God. The psalm is praising God for his handiwork.

I can see a definite connection between both 1 Peter ans 1 Samuel. Samuel's driving call in this passage is "repent" and "abandon your idols". Peter's driving call is "be holy" and "do not be as the world is". They line up, though, as baals and asherahs were idols common to the region that Israel adopted from other peoples. Psalm 19 gives us an idea of what our response should be: praising God for everything - the rising and setting of the sun, the very word of God, and his commandments.

It's always hard to merge a prophet speaking of destruction with such other messages, but it is worth reminding ourselves that, while God gives and blesses, he also punishes and takes away.

Application:

Be holy.

It's easier said than done, but nothing is impossible with God. God is the one who gives us the ability to be holy, set apart for a higher purpose.

Prayer:

Lord, make me holy. Set me apart for your purpose and keep me clean. Allow me to seek after you, that others might see you in me and give you praise. Give me wisdom to comprehend your word and teach me to listen better, waiting on you, before acting.

Be with my wife. Equip her with the energy and enthusiasm she needs. 

Be with my classmate, as his new baby is due today.

Protect those serving you at home and abroad, that today, their witness would not be spoiled and that they would suffer no physical harm.

I love you and thank you

Amen

20 August 2015

Scriptures:

• 1 Peter 1:1-12
• Jeremiah 50
• 1 Samuel 5:1-7:2
• Psalm 18

Observations:

In 1 Peter, we see Peter praising God for his mercy and salvation, encouraging the early church to endure the trials that will come also. In Jeremiah, we see the fall of Babylon prophesied. It's a long prophecy, but we need to remember that Babylon did much that was evil in God's eyes, The passage was also partly to encourage the Jews to head home. The Samuel passage is one of my favourites, in which God shows Himself to be stronger than Dagon, the god of the Philistines and wreaks such punishment on them that they send the ark back to Israel. The psalm is praising God for his refuge and defence, as well as for his strength, which he imparts to those who seek him.

I really see a sense of God's might as a common theme. We have the psalm and the 1 Peter passage extolling God for his mercy and salvation as well as his steadfastness, power, and refuge. We get the idea that God is the one we run to in times of stress or trial. In Jeremiah and 1 Samuel, we see the flip side of the coin. First, we see his power over the earth and its nations. Second, we see his power of the gods, which men make for themselves. 

Praise be to God who is mighty and powerful, who shelters us from the trials and storms, and who equips and strengthens us to fight. May we always run to him in times of need.

Application:

I really don't quite know how to apply this beside trusting in God more to protect and guide. I know in many ways I already lean on God often, but there are areas which I like to keep hold of the reins on. 

Prayer:

Lord, I see your power and provision. Help me to trust that you are good, that you are working in all things for my benefit. Help me to hand the reins over all of my life to you, not just most of them. It's going to take some work, learning how to do that, but I feel it will definitely be worth the growing pains.

I thank you for what you have done in my own life and my wife's life. I ask that you would give confirmation on what we perceive to be your calling for her.

Be with our friends as they push through the adoption process and wait for some response.

I thank you and praise you

Amen

19 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 16
• Jeremiah 49
• 1 Samuel 4
• Psalms 17

Observations:

• Mark 16:15-18
• Psalm 17:13-15

So, quick note and laugh, when opening to the Mark passage, which is about the resurrection, one of my classmates was playing  the hymn "Christ the Lord is Risen Today".

On a more serious note, nothing is more joyous than reading about the resurrection and nothing is quite so encouraging as reading the great commission at the end of each gospel. In Jeremiah, we see judgment and punishment proclaimed on many of Judah's neighbours. Some will be utterly destroyed, others will recover, but few, if any will be untouched. What is significant about the 1 Samuel passage is how Israel conflated the Ark of the Covenant with God, thinking that if the ark was present, then God must also be. It was, in essence, an idolatry of sorts. What is also of interest is how the Philistines were afraid, having heard the reputation of what God had done in Egypt. The psalmist today was asking God to draw him near, to shield him, and was proclaiming his difference from other men in that, while others seek riches and physical wealth, he desires only God.

Again, this one's not too easy to see a common thread, but we have a fair number of different elements present. Particularly noteworthy are the Israelites' perception of how God would act, in 1 Samuel, the psalmist's closing words, and the resurrection of Christ. God is not some being that can be swayed by actions of obedience or religious activity, what he desires from us is not the physical offering of our wealth, but the offering of ourselves - our seeking of Him that comes from our hearts. Yearning. The type of devotion, that would send disciples to a grave site three days afterwards to embalm the body properly. 

In contrast, you have those nations that antagonised the people of God, who actively worked against Israel. 

I think we'll leave that thought there. It's pretty self-explanatory.

Application:

Devotion, yearning... Yeah, emotions are not my strong point. I am good at attempting a rigid, discipline born of will, but, to be honest, I need to learn how to engage my heart, as the heart is often better at cleaving to an individual or ideal far better than the mind. Especially where deesire and dedication are concerned.

Prayer:

Lord, engage my heart. Teach me how to connect with you on an emotional level, that my knowledge and understanding of you might surpass merely my mind, but encompass the whole of my being. 

That being said, help me to engage emotionally with others around me as well, with my wife in particular. 

Teach me to view others as you do and to love them as you love them. 

Thank you, Lord for what you have given.

Amen

18 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 15
• Jeremiah 48
• 1 Samuel 3
• Psalm 16

Observations:

• 1 Samuel 3:19

In Mark, we see the trial, crucifixion, and burial of Christ. In Jeremiah, the doom of Moab. In Samuel, we see the calling of Samuel and the confirmation of the end of Eli's lineage. The psalm today is one praising God for His refuge.

Colour me a Christian, but I see a redemptive thread through this. The Jeremiah passage highlights what punishment comes to those who live apart from God. In Mark, we have the crucifixion, the redemption of mankind. In Psalm, we are praising God for the refuge he provides.

Where does Samuel fit in? That passage shows both the calling of one who seeks God and the punishment of one who has turned away. It is an example of how we should be living our lives, seeking after God, listening to Him as a servant does his master.

Application:

Well, the biggest thing for me right now is listening. I need to be growing in my faith and seeking God. Reading the Bible and mulling it over is all well and good, but seeking God out and listening for and to Him is a discipline I need to learn.

Prayer:

Lord, I ask that you would help me to listen. Teach me to get away, to still myself, and to wait on you. Grow me in your way and use me for  your plans.

Thank you for your protection and provision yesterday. I ask that you would watch over me today.

Amen

17 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 14
• Jeremiah 46-47
• 1 Samuel 2:12-36
• Psalm 15

Observations:

In Mark, we see the woman anointing Jesus with perfume ad the latter half of passion week - from the last supper to the denial of Peter. In Jeremiah, we see prophesied, the clashes between Babylon and Egypt, with Egypt's defeat. We also see the fall of Philistia. In 1 Samuel, we see the sins of Eli's sons and God's prophesying of the end of his house, because of his poor discipline, for one in a priestly role. The Psalm extols the character of one whom God loves.

I don't really see a common thread through these passages, but they are all good reminders. The Mark passage is good, because we should never forget what Christ went through en route to the cross. Jeremiah is good, because it illustrates God's punishment of His people's enemies and how He uses others as tools to exact this punishment.  The Samuel passage gives us a picture of ungodliness, as these two priest are wantonly engaged in sinful, prideful practices., where the psalm provides a good counterpoint of what God actually loves.

Application:

What I take away is that, above all else, I should honour God first. It is very easy to become focused on myself, doing my thing or becoming absorbed in my worries, and not stop to seek God above all else, before doing anything else.

Prayer:

Lord, this has been a full weekend - studying, car battery situations, youth group and church, more trying to fit studying in. It's really easy for me to focus on myself and what is on my plate, but help me to focus on you, first. Help me to shift my perspective off of myself and see you.

That being said, Lord, I ask that you would help me with my test today. Help me to recall what I have learned and studied.

Thank you for your provision and rest.

Amen

15 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 12
• Jeremiah 42-43
• Ruth 4
• Psalm 13

Observations:

In Mark, we see Jesus answering the challenges of the pharisees and sadducees in the temple, teaching about the kingdom of God, and teaching his disciples about the meaning of genuine worship. In Jeremiah, we see the remnant of Judah asking Jeremiah to seek God and ask what they shall do, but disbelieve his response after ten days of fasting, that they should remain in Judah, under Babylonian rule instead of heading south towards Egypt. In Ruth, we see Boaz's faithfulness to Ruth and Naomi; he sought out the individual who had the first right to inherit Naomi's property and marry Ruth, thus perpetuating the name of her father-in-law, Elimelech. This man, however, did not want to jeopardise his own sons' inheritance, permitted Boaz, the next in line for the role, to fulfill that responsibility. In the psalm, we see the psalmist, asking God if He has forgotten him. He asks God for his consideration and speaks of how, in the past, he has relied on God's faithfulness.

In the last three passages, I can see aspects of God's faithfulness. In Jeremiah, we see his faithfulness to answer, giving what Israel should do and the punishment, should Israel disobey. In Ruth, we see the faithfulness of God through the actions of Boaz. In Psalms, we see the psalmist seeking God, reminding Him of His faithfulness.

In Mark, the situation is more complex. We open with the parable of the tenants, showing the unfaithfulness of those entrusted with the work of the owner. We then see those presumed to be spoken against seeking to trap him with contextually-charged questions, before one scribe comes and asks a question of pure motives and receives a direct answer and is commended. We close with the men and women bringing tithes - the rich are bringing bags of money and one poor woman drops in two coins - the equivalent of a penny - and is commended, for what she brought was of greater relative worth.

What is faithfulness? It is more than honest dealing or straight talking. It is more than mere reliability or trustworthiness. In some ways it is a combiation of all of those. Dictionary.com defines it as follows:

Faithfulness

adjective

1. Strict or thorough in the performance of duty

2. True to one's word, promises, vows, etc

3. Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; consistent

4. Reliable, trusted, or believed

5. Adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original; accurate

6. (obsolete) Full of faith; believing

This is how we are called to be. Faithful, as God is faithful.

Prayer:

Lord, grow me in your faithfulness. Allow me to emulate you in this character as I interact with others around me. Help me to adhere to my duties and my word. Teach me about true loyalty and reliability. Fill me with faith in you and enable me to cling to your truth more and more each day.

I pray again for my wife, that you would give her rest today. That this weekend would be reviving and refreshing. Be with me as I study. Allow me to recall what I have learned these last two weeks as I revise what I know and seek to polish my memory. And, Lord, I ask that you would deal with our car situation.

Amen

14 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 11
• Jeremiah 40-41
• Ruth 3
• Psalm 12

Observations:

• Mark 11:28-33

In the Mark passage, we see much of the preparation leading up to the cross. We see the borrowing of the donkey, cursing of the fig tree, clearing the temple courtyards, and admonishing the pharisees. In Jeremiah, we see a faction war among those left behind after the Babylonian exile. Certain individuals plotted against and executed the man the Babylonian king had appointed to rule over Judah, while another sought permission to protect him. In Ruth, we see Ruth stepping out in faith to gain the action of Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer. Two cultural matters I'm unsure of are the laying at a man's feet and the idea of a kinsman-redeemer. In Psalms, we see the psalmist decrying the evil of man.

I'l be honest here - my tired brain is having a hard time putting everything together. It's been a crazy-paced day, having woken up late and there being a test on Monday. What I see, though, is the prideful ambivalence of the Pharisees in Mark. They choose not to answer Christ's question because they are anticipating how He might trap them, so they claim to have no answer. I'm having a hard time syncing that with the issue of the governor in Jeremiah, the role of kinsman-redeemer in Ruth, and the cries against the evil men in Psalms.

Application:

I don't want to or need to be prideful as the pharisees were. They obfusticated their answers for the sake of their egos, even when it is apparent they had an inkling of their wrongness.

Prayer:

Lord, I ask that I would have the humility to be wrong. I apologise for my lateness today and that this late hour of sleep would be refreshing and that you would have me well-rested to study well in preparation for Monday's test. It's a lot of material.

Bless my wife in her weekend. Let her have time for relaxation and allow for me to give her quality time that shows her love.

Amen