Tag: thought for the day

May 31, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we are continuing in Romans, and read one chapter in 2 Kings.

May 31: Romans 9, 2 Kings 11 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 9. After the glorious chapter 8 Paul turns his attention to  Israel and their rejection of Christ, they are, after all God’s Sovereign Choice and the Children of Promise. God administers justice as he seed fit “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated,” and Israel’s unbelief is “Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

2 Kings 11. This is a  chapter full of palace intrigue: Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel takes seizes power over Judah and reigns for six years. Finally, Joash is crowned King of Judah, and Athaliah was put to death. After all, she had put Baal in the temple.

May 30, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we are continuing in Romans, and read one chapter in 2 Kings.

May 30: Romans 8, 2 Kings 10 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 8. This chapter is too important for comments. Read it; together with all the Old Testament references, then read it again. Let it sink in.

2 Kings 10. This is a killings chapter,  Ahab’s seventy sons killed, Ahaziah’s forty-two brothers killed, the rest of Ahab’s family killed, worshipers of Baal killed, and finally the death of Jehu.

 

May 28, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we are continuing in Romans, and read three chapters in 2 Kings.

May 28: Romans 6, 2 Kings 5, 2 Kings 6, 2 Kings 7 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 6. The three most important truths are:  “Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.“ and “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

2 Kings 5. Naaman’s Leprosy is Healed. This was so important that Jesus mentioned it to the self righteous Jews, proving they were not that special.  Elisha refused payment for healing Naaman, but his servant Gehazi accepted payment instead, so he becme leprous instead of Naaman.

2 Kings 6. Elisha makes an ax head float, The Floating Ax Head, the Syrians ary to capture Elisha from which we ger the quote”Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” But then Syria Besieged Samaria with famine.

2 Kings 7. When the siege was about to succeed Elisha prophesied “Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.” During the night the Syrians fled and four lepers discovered it. After feasting they went and told the good news to the besieged.

May 27, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we are continuing in Romans, and read two chapters in 2 Kings.

May 27: Romans 5, 2 Kings 3, 2 Kings 4 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 5. This is a great chapter and tells how faith triumphs in trouble, one quote: “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” And so it is: Death came through one man, Adam, but “if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” Let that sink in.

2 Kings 3. There is trouble all around: Moab Rebels Against Israel. Israel calls for Judah and Edom to help.  They gather their armies and horses, but after seven days without water they call for Elisha. He tells them to dig ditches in the desert. They obey, and without rain the ditches are filled, they all got water and quenched the rebellion. Then they punished Moab, but the King offered his firstborn son as a burnt offering. This was too drastic even for Israel, so they drew back.

2 Kings 4, Like Elijah, Elisha multiplies a widow’s oil, like Elijah, Elisha Raises a person from death, this time the Shunammite’s Son. Elisha purifies a pot of stew, and at another time he feeds one hundred men. with twenty small loaves of bread, and there are leftovers, much like Jesus did, but on a much smaller scale.

 

May 26, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we are continuing in Romans, and starting with two chapters in 2 Kings.

May 26: Romans 4, 2 Kings 1, 2 Kings 2 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 4. Abraham was justified by faith, not works and definitely not circumcision. Where there is no law, there is no transgression. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed, and it was credited to him as righteousness. And “for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

2 Kings 1. God Judged Ahaziah. Elijah the prophet delivered the messages from God, and so Ahaziah died, left no heir, so Joram, son of Ahab became king.

2 Kings 2, Elijah is taken up to heaven, Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and gets it, because he witnessed Elijah’s ascension.

May 25, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we are continuing in Romans, and reading one chapter in 1 Kings.

May 25: Romans 3, 1 Kings 22 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 3 is full of memorable quotations: “let God be true, but every man a liar.” It speaks of God’s faithfulness and God’s Judgment, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” , “ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,“and “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law,” just to name a few.

1 Kings 22. Micalah prophesied against Ahab, Ahab disguised himself for protection but died in battle by a stray arrow. Jehoshaphat became King of Judah, followed by Ahaziah.

May 24, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we are continuing in Romans, and reading two chapters in 1 Kings.

May 24: Romans 2, 1 Kings 20, 1 Kings 21 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 2. You have no excuse,  God’s judgement is righteous, Jews and Gentiles are equally guilty, and circumcision is of no avail.

1 Kings 20. Ahab Defeats the Syrians and he does it twice. After that Ahab makes a treaty with Ben-Hadad, and that leads the prophecy of Ahab’s Condemnation.

1 Kings 21. Naboth is killed for his vineyard and for that the LORD condemns Ahab.

May 23, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we are starting Romans, and read one chapter in 1 Kings.

May 23: Romans 1, 1 Kings 19 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 1 starts with an eloquent greeting to all in Rome, and it is just as valid for us today as it was then. Paul longs to visit Rome and impart scriptural spiritual wisdom, such as “the Just shall live by Faith.” Then he explains God’s Wrath to come on mankind because they “changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.”

1 Kings 19. After the fantastic victory at Mount Carmel Elijah flees from Jezebel, the exhibit A of evil women mentioned in literature and films.  He fled, got strengthened by an angel that fed him a meal that gave him enough strength to go all the way to Mount Horeb. There he heard “The Still Small Voice.” God reminds Elijah  that “I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” Elisha then receives the call to follow Elijah.

May 22, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we are reading two Psalms one chapter in 1 Kings.

May 22: Psalm 35, Psalm 36, 1 Kings 18 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 35, of David. An urgent call for God to execute His righteous judgment on the enemies of God and vindicate David.

Psalm 36, of David, the Servant of the LORD. This Psalm also tells of wicked people, but then shows the mercies of God and ends up with David recognizing that without God’s protection he too is vulnerable as are we all.

1 Kings 18. This chapter alone made the reading of 1 Kings up to now worthwhile. Elijah meets Obadiah and sends a message to Ahab. When they meet, Elijah challenges Ahab to a competition: Four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of Asherah against Elijah alone on Mount Carmel to see whose God is victorious! You know the rest, enjoy reading!

May 21, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we are reading two Psalms one chapter in 1 Kings.

May 21: Psalm 33, Psalm 34, 1 Kings 17 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 33, is a Psalm about the sovereignty of God in creation and history. Here and in many other places of the Bible it encourages us to “sing a new song”.

Psalm 34, of David. This Psalm is an almost acrostic psalm (except for the letter waw). Like many acrostic Psalms, this is to be sung and memorized as it is full of praise and good advice. It contains one notable prophetic reference: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.”

1 Kings 17. With Baal worship in full swing Elijah proclaimed a multi-year drought. He then went into the wilderness by a brook and was fed by ravens. But the brook dried up so he went to a widow in Zarephath. He asks her for water and some bread. That was the last of the flower she had, but she gave it to Elijah anyhow. Later the widow’s son died and Elijah revived him. The jar of flour and the jug of oil never emptied as long as Elijah was in the house, miracle upon miracle!