Category: faith

Day 140 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 17. Jesus told about the consequences of sin, the importance of faith and the call of duty. Then is recorded the story of ten lepers healed but only one came back and thanked Jesus, and he was a Samaritan! Finally Jesus spoke of the Coming of the Kingdom of God and the end times.

Not much good in 1 Kings 14, it tells of judgment on the house of Jeroboam and his death, and Rehoboam taking over power and his death.

1 Kings 15, the evil king Abijam reigned in Judah. After his death Asa became king over Judah and he was a good king. Meanwhile in Israel Nadab reigned, and after him Baasha both doing evil things in the eyes of the LORD.

1 Kings 16 displays a depressing list of kings over Israel, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, one worse the the other, finally culminating with Ahab, the worst of them all, setting up Baal worship in Israel.

Day 139 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 16. Jesus told the parable of the unjust steward to show it is not enough to follow the practices of the land, one must be above reproach in spiritual things, even if you are following the Law and the Prophets to the letter you will fail. He ended with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

1 Kings 12 tells of the revolt against Rehoboam and Jeroboam’s Golden Calves at Bethel and Dan. They were put up so Rehoboam didn’t have to go to Jerusalem to sacrifice.

1 Kings 13. From Judah came a Man of God with a message. It did not go over well, so through lies and intrigues the Man of God was killed by a lion. One quote from this chapter: “After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.” Large portions of the Old Testament describes how not to worship, let this be a warning to us.

Day 138 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 15 is deceptively simple. Just three parables; the lost sheep, the lost coin, and finally the lost son, the most famous story of redemption of them all. 

In 1 Kings 10 the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon and praised him “The half had not been told”; of Solomon’s great wisdom and wealth.

1 Kings 11. Solomon’s heart turned from the LORD, ( blame the foreign women and their idolatry). It records Solomon’s adversaries, Jeroboam’s rebellion, and Solomon’s death.

Day 137 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

In Luke 14, again on the Sabbath, at a Pharisee’s house no less, Jesus healed a man with an edema. Noticing how the people competed for the best places Jesus spoke of the lowly place to be sought rather than the place of honor, and as an object lesson he gave us the parable of the Great Supper and the cost of following Christ. Finally Jesus mentioned the value of good salt and the worthlessness of salt that lost its savor.

1 Kings 8. It was celebration time when the Ark was brought into the Temple, Solomon gave a great speech and a prayer of dedication. Then he blessed the Assembly and dedicated the Temple with lots of sacrifices and it finished with a fourteen day feast.

1 Kings 9 tells of God’s second appearance to Solomon, this time with a promise and a warning. Solomon and Hiram exchanged gifts and the chapter lists more of Solomon’s achievements.

Day 136 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 13. Jesus kept telling the religious Jews “Unless you repent you all perish.” The fig tree is a symbol of Israel, and until then God had been patient with the barren Fig Tree. Moving on, like Jesus so often did, a woman was healed on a Sabbath, which made the ruler of the Synagogue furious. Jesus took issue with that, asking why you can save animals on Sabbath but not people? He then told the parable of faith like the Mustard Seed, the Leaven and the narrow Gate and explained why not all will enter. Finally, Jesus lamented over Jerusalem.

1 Kings 6 retells in great detail how Solomon had the Temple built.

And the retelling continues in 1 Kings 7, how Solomon had his palace and the other buildings built. He hired Hiram the Craftsman, and he completed the bronze pillars for the Temple, the Sea and the Oxen, The Carts and the Lavers, and had all the temple furnishings made.

Day 135 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 12:35-59. This passage tells what it means to be the faithful and watchful servant, not the evil and drunken one. Finally,  Christ explains that he will bring division, even among family members, so discern the times and make peace.

1 Kings 4 lists Solomon’s administration, gives an account of Solomon’s prosperity and extols Solomon’s wisdom.

1 Kings 5. The wars had ended and Solomon prepared to build the Temple, as it was promised.

Day 134 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 12:1-34. Jesus was teaching: “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees,” “even very hairs of your head are all numbered,” “His eyes are on the sparrow,” “acknowledge me before men” and “anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” “Do not worry, the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say when you are persecuted for my sake”. Jesus claimed he is not the arbiter in worldly disputes and strongly urged people not to hoard riches here on earth. Again, do not Worry, look at the lilies, (my interpretation: Smell the roses and enjoy God’s creation). 

1 Kings 3. Solomon asked for wisdom. He got it as well as great riches. Armed with that wisdom he showed his wise judgment.

Day 133 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 11:29-54.. When the Jews asked for a sign Jesus answered “There shall be no sign except the Sign of Jonah,” He also proclaimed: “Your eye is the Lamp of the Body, let it shine.” Finally, Jesus proclaimed six woes. This displeased both the Pharisees and the experts in the Law.

1 Kings 1. Adonijah, the heir apparent since his older brothers were all dead, set himself up as king before David’s death. David had Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet proclaim Solomon King instead.

1 Kings 2. David gave his final instructions to Solomon, to which persons he should show kindness and to whom he should not, and then David died. Solomon had Adonijah executed exiled Abathar, executed Joab and Shimel, and showed kindness to the ones that had helped David. The kingdom was then firmly in Solomon’s hands.

Day 132 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 11:1-28. The disciples asked Jesus on how to pray and he gave them the pattern prayer, also called “The Lord’s prayer.” On prayers, be importune, ask, seek, knock, the key verse is: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Jesus healed a mute man and some said it was by Beelzebub (the lord of flies). Jesus knew their thoughts and rebuked them.

Proverbs 4. Wisdom is supreme and there is security in wisdom.

Day 131 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Luke 10:25-42. Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  Further on his way Jesus went to the home of Martha and Mary. Martha was busy preparing the meal, but Mary just sat there and listened to Jesus.

2 Samuel 23 tells of David’s last words, and listed all of of David’s mighty men.

2 Samuel 24. David took a census of Israel and Judah,which was a sin that had to be punished. David chose to fall into the hands of the LORD, so the angel of death ravaged the land for three days until he came to the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David built an altar there and sacrificed.