life and death

today's readings: 1 Kings 12:20-34, Acts 9:26-43, Psalm 132:1-18, Proverbs 17:6

life and death. these things are important, but not always in the way we think they are.

in the OT reading, a prophet is killed because he is lied to. seems pretty senseless. in the NT, Peter brings a woman back to life.

this seems like a terrible thing and a great thing. and in one sense they are. but the prophet came to an afterlife, and who knows what rewards he found there? clearly death is not final as far as God is concerned... just look at Tabitha.

but speaking of Tabitha, she did then die once again, eventually. and what reward did she find after her death? probably something like the prophet, i would guess.

but life and death are important for all of us watching, maybe even more than for the ones living and dying. because when we see the prophet's death, we learn obedience. when we see Tabitha brought back to life, we learn faith.

God, please teach me the true value of life and death.

scorpions?

today's readings: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19, Acts 9:1-25, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 17:4-5

well, Solomon makes some unwise decisions in today's reading. i can hardly blame him. who hasn't made bad decisions because of being in love? but he chose poorly, and his women led him away from God and lost his sons the kingdom.

but rehoboam makes another really bad decision. he is given really good advice by the older men in his counsel. but he rejects it and listens to the radical young men, which is usually a bad idea. they tell him to be harsh to his subjects, and to threaten them. they say to tell his people he will whip them with scorpions... which doesn't even make any sense. how do you whip someone with a scorpion?

anyway, he follows their stupid advice and loses the kingdom.

fortunately, we have the NT reading to cheer us up. Saul is knock off his donkey (sometimes we need that) and blinded on top of that, to get his attention. he's told that he's going to do amazing things for God, and to suffer for Him as well.

God, i ask You to get my attention. please help me to listen to wise counsel, and not be led astray by the things that so easily lure me.

snatched away

today's readings: 1 Kings 9:1-10:29, Acts 8:14-40, Psalm 130:1-8, Proverbs 17:2-3

we read today about Philip being sent by the Holy Spirit to meet up with the Ethiopian eunuch. after baptizing him, the writer of Acts says that the Holy Spirit then "snatched him away" and he "found himself farther north at the town of Azotus".

this sound pretty amazing. unless i'm reading it wrong, it seems like Philip was transported from one place to another instantly. this isn't the first case of this happening, as characters in the OT were transported supernaturally, and modern day saints have done similar things, including bilocating. it brings to mind this story which was actually, it turns out, less supernatural than previously thought, but still pretty cool how God used the right person at the right time.

God, please use me today to help someone who needs You.

seeds of the church

today's readings: 1 Kings 8:1-66, Acts 7:51-8:13, Psalm 129:1-8, Proverbs 17:1

the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. and today, we see the first seeds being planted. while one does wonder if Stephen could have swayed his listeners if he'd been less critical and accusatory, one gets his answer by the response of the leaders to what he does say: they cover their ears and yell. the first recorded instance of putting your fingers in your ears and saying "LALALALALA" to keep from hearing something! sounds like they weren't interesting in hearing any truth that didn't agree with their worldview.

i wonder how much we can be like that? do we really listen when we hear things that don't agree with what we think? or do we put our fingers in our ears and go LALALA?

God, open my ears to hear what i need to, even if it's not what i like to hear.

building a temple

today's readings: 1 Kings 7:1-51, Acts 7:30-50, Psalm 128:1-6, Proverbs 16:31-33

Stephen was pretty amazing! besides being so close to God that his face shown like an angel while he was being martyred... his knowledge of the OT was very impressive. now, we have to remember that God will often times give people the words to say when they are in this position... so he might have had some "help". but still... he recounted story after story from the OT, telling how Jesus came to be the Messiah. it's a nice synopsis of the OT.

and did you notice that there is a huge correlation between the OT and NT readings today? Stephen actually talks about Solomon building the temple... which is exactly what Solomon is doing in the OT reading.

but the take away message from today is that God is bigger than the Temple. He's bigger than any building, or philosophy, or thought process that we have. yes, He chooses to relate to us in certain ways, like through the church and through the Bible... but He is certainly not contained by them. the whole world can't contain Him. not even the whole universe... or the multiverse. He transcends everything - even my sin.

thank You, God, for being bigger than everything - and for forgiving my weakness and bringing me back to You.

peace

today's readings: 1 Kings 5:1-6:38, Acts 7:1-29, Psalm 127:1-5, Proverbs 16:28-30

Solomon shows his famous wisdom again today. this time, by establishing a peaceful relationship with another country. he asks for some trees from the King of Lebanon, so he can build a Temple. and in return, he sends him a ton of wheat and olive oil.

now was that so hard? seems like if heads of state would try a little harder, we might be able to achieve this kind of peace between nations. don't get me wrong... there is more peace today than ever before. if you don't think so, read this.

but we could have more, lasting peace with fewer squabbles if leaders of nations would follow Solomon's example. maybe i should look smaller? look at my own life? if i learn to follow Solomon's example myself, maybe i should be more giving and kind to my neighbor, and see about bringing peace to my life that way.

thanks, God, for being the perfect example of peace and love, so that i can aim at those things by aiming at You.

after all

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34, Acts 6:1-15, Psalm 126:1-6, Proverbs 16:26-27

In today’s reading, we see the official beginning of Solomon’s wisdom. It’s only the official beginning, though… because he has already demonstrated wisdom twice. Once, in the choice he made which I pointed out in the last reading. And second, he demonstrated great wisdom in CHOOSING wisdom over riches or fame or power.

God rewards him with what he asked for… and he also rewards him with the things he didn’t ask for. Does that remind you of anything? It should… it sounds a lot like “seek first His kingdom and all these things will be added to you.”

Thank You, God, for rewarding us for choosing what’s best for us after all.