1 Samuel 23 starts out with David's men going into battle. David goes against the Philistines that are attacking Keilah. This does not seem to be like a very important thing, but I feel that it is. In my opinion it is a cornerstone to the building of David's empire. The remaining portion of this chapter is about Saul chasing after David. It amazes me how many times Saul gets close and David gets away. It really shows how much God is in control.
Psalm 54 is very short yet very insightful into Davids fight. We see David once again calling out to God for help. I love how David is not afraid to go to God. Even for the smallest of decisions we see David asking advice from God.
Psalm 63 is almost a whole other side of David. We have been reading over and over about David going to God for help about an upcoming crisis. This chapter however shows David longing just to be near God. How he wants to praise God to worship Him.
The end of Luke 22 is drawing us near to the end of Jesus physical life. Our reading today starts with the group coming to arrest Jesus. As Judas approaches I think Jesus throws him off by knowing how he is going to betray Him. I would have to think by this time Judas has to be thinking am I prepared for what I am about to do. Jesus' other disciples try and prevent this and draw their swords until Jesus puts an end to this. I wish that I could show that much control if I knew what was about to happen. Jesus knows that He is about to be lead to his torture and death, yet knows that He is doing exactly what God wants him to do. If we could all live like that could you imagine how the world would be today. The next portion is about Peter disowning Jesus three times just as Jesus told him he would. How he did not realize what he was doing still floors me. You would have thought by the second time he would have smacked himself in the forehead and said this is exactly what Jesus was telling me about. The final portion of this chapter is the beginning of Jesus' trial. Jesus tells them that He is the Son of Man.
Tomorrow's reading is:
1 Samuel 24, 25, 26, 27 and Luke 23:1-25
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Day 123
Psalm 52 has me at a loss. Since I was not able to really understand what it was talking about, I turned to my friend Google. With the help of Google I stumbled upon this website talking about this particular Psalm. It helped shed some light on this passage for me.
Psalm 57 I absolutely love. The side notes in my Bible say that this is a song from David. Reading it just filled me with the spirit that David had for his Creator. David sings this Psalm with not a single doubt in his mind who is in charge of his life. He shows such a great faith in God and is willing to put his entire life in God's hands. He sings of how people are trying to overtake him and they stumble every time because they are not with God. I particularly like the verses 7 through 11.
Psalm 57 I absolutely love. The side notes in my Bible say that this is a song from David. Reading it just filled me with the spirit that David had for his Creator. David sings this Psalm with not a single doubt in his mind who is in charge of his life. He shows such a great faith in God and is willing to put his entire life in God's hands. He sings of how people are trying to overtake him and they stumble every time because they are not with God. I particularly like the verses 7 through 11.
"My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth."
To me those verses really show that David has an amazing grasp on what God is all about. He knows that God's word needs to be spread and that should be his personal responsibility.
Psalm 142 shows what I think is the troubled side of David. David knows he is in trouble and is calling out to God for help. He shows that he is at a loss but knows that God will direct him in the correct path. His faith really reminds me of Job. I wish my faith was like that all the time. It is one of my biggest struggles.
Our reading in Luke continues further into Jesus being betrayed. Peter learns that he will denounce Jesus 3 times before the rooster crows and scoffs at it. Peter does not imagine how he could ever do that. They are all kind of taken up in arms saying they will do whatever is necessary to not let this happen, but Jesus tells them that it has to happen this way. Then we see Jesus do what He does so many times. He goes off by himself to pray. This is a very common sight that you may not have picked up on while reading. Jesus often goes off by himself to pray, it is noted several times after all of his sermons. It really does show a side of Jesus that we can be like. We will never be sinless as he was but we can always pray like He did.
Tomorrow's reading is:
1Samuel 23, Psalms 54, 63 and Luke 22:47-71
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Day 122
1 Samuel 22 starts us out with David on the run. Even on the run it seems like David is collecting a large following. He is hiding in a cave and somehow gathers around 400 men to follow him. I would have liked to see all of them hiding in that cave. The next portion of this chapter is very saddening. I never expected Saul to be this jealous. He is so overcome with anger that he is acting out in rash decisions and kills off the Lord's priests. How does Saul not realize that what he is doing is not in the favor of the Lord? I foresee the life of Saul coming to an end very soon. For the one that escaped to David I do feel sorry for him and can only imagine the anguish he must have felt. To lose your entire family in one day has to be the worst fate that could happen.
Psalm 56 is one I have not read before. I am amazed at the strength that David shows even after being captured by the Philistines. Not once did he doubt God. He knows that God is watching over him and that He will take care of him no matter what. I wish I could say my faith is that strong. Many times I feel that I am to worried about what the world thinks of me when I should not care. I should know that as long as I have faith God will provide for me. We read before about how God provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field and that we are greater then these. Since we are greater then these we should know that God will take care of us as well. If you want to look that verse up again it is in Matthew 6, but ever since reading it I think of it often.
Luke 22 is the beginning of the plotting of Judas the Iscariot. I think this has to be the first time I have ever actually read this part. I was shocked when I read that Satan actually entered Judas. Never once did I imagine Satan entering Judas. Now, I had thought that a demon possessed him but for it to be the one in charge of the demons altogether I was not expecting. The remaining portion of our reading begins the last supper. The preparations for the last supper happen just like I expected them to. The disciples asked Jesus what they were to do and He tells them exactly what is going to happen. Sure enough they go to town and it happens just like He said it would. Time and time again we read stories like this and I just have to wonder if the disciples ever got tired of hearing it. For some reason I can hear the disciples saying "Wow, that's amazing" in the voice of the guy on the Staples commercial. During the supper Jesus then goes about telling them that His time on Earth is about to end and that the person that will betray him is with them at this very moment. I can just picture everyone of the disciples being awestruck at that very moment. Everyone of them thinking surely it is not I. The one thought that I can not grasp though is that of Judas. I really wonder what he is thinking during all of this. Is he sitting there with laughter in his head saying "ha ha you have know idea what I am about to do to you."? I mean honestly Judas this is Jesus Christ we are talking about. He formed you, He knew you before you were you. The really important part of this reading though is that of the broken body and spilled blood. Jesus gave us a covenant before he passed away on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day. A covenant is a very import thing. It is not something to enter into lightly. It is a dedication to be made and held onto for your entire life. For those of you reading this that have entered into that covenant I would like you to take a deep look into and truly exam it.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Psalms 52, 57, 142 and Luke 22:24-46
Psalm 56 is one I have not read before. I am amazed at the strength that David shows even after being captured by the Philistines. Not once did he doubt God. He knows that God is watching over him and that He will take care of him no matter what. I wish I could say my faith is that strong. Many times I feel that I am to worried about what the world thinks of me when I should not care. I should know that as long as I have faith God will provide for me. We read before about how God provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field and that we are greater then these. Since we are greater then these we should know that God will take care of us as well. If you want to look that verse up again it is in Matthew 6, but ever since reading it I think of it often.
Luke 22 is the beginning of the plotting of Judas the Iscariot. I think this has to be the first time I have ever actually read this part. I was shocked when I read that Satan actually entered Judas. Never once did I imagine Satan entering Judas. Now, I had thought that a demon possessed him but for it to be the one in charge of the demons altogether I was not expecting. The remaining portion of our reading begins the last supper. The preparations for the last supper happen just like I expected them to. The disciples asked Jesus what they were to do and He tells them exactly what is going to happen. Sure enough they go to town and it happens just like He said it would. Time and time again we read stories like this and I just have to wonder if the disciples ever got tired of hearing it. For some reason I can hear the disciples saying "Wow, that's amazing" in the voice of the guy on the Staples commercial. During the supper Jesus then goes about telling them that His time on Earth is about to end and that the person that will betray him is with them at this very moment. I can just picture everyone of the disciples being awestruck at that very moment. Everyone of them thinking surely it is not I. The one thought that I can not grasp though is that of Judas. I really wonder what he is thinking during all of this. Is he sitting there with laughter in his head saying "ha ha you have know idea what I am about to do to you."? I mean honestly Judas this is Jesus Christ we are talking about. He formed you, He knew you before you were you. The really important part of this reading though is that of the broken body and spilled blood. Jesus gave us a covenant before he passed away on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day. A covenant is a very import thing. It is not something to enter into lightly. It is a dedication to be made and held onto for your entire life. For those of you reading this that have entered into that covenant I would like you to take a deep look into and truly exam it.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Psalms 52, 57, 142 and Luke 22:24-46
Monday, January 31, 2011
Day 121
1 Samuel 20 is a pretty long narrative. I really think it could have been a little bit shorter and covered the same information. I am once again confused though. I thought Saul had agreed to not kill David and here we have him right back at it. These Israelites really are a stubborn people. Jonathan and David though have an amazing friendship. Jonathan has looked out for David to the best of his ability and is trying to send him off safely.
Chapter 21 of 1 Samuel shows David is on the run. He is looking for supplies as he goes. He is able to acquire some bread and the sword of Goliath. I am not sure that I understand the whole bread thing that they talked about. I thought it was set aside for the priest but David takes it anyway. I have to wonder if something is going to happen to David for taking it. Goliath's sword must have been relatively large for David to carry around as well. If Goliath stood over nine foot tall you would think his sword would be larger then the average man's sword.
Psalm 34 bounces back and forth a lot in my mind. There are a few things that pop out at me that we have read before. One of them being that we should seek the Lord. Another is that we should not partake in evil things and that the Lord will protect us.
The last part of Luke 21 continues with the coming of the end times. Reading this chapter has really put me in the mood to read Revelations. Jesus continues to tell his disciples of the events that will take place during the end times and I still begin to wonder if some of those are happening at this very moment. I know somewhere it says that time is different in Heaven compared to Earth and I have to wonder if those times are not starting already. It may take 100 years here on Earth which could only be a day in Heaven. Really makes me wonder. I like the end of this chapter where Jesus tells his disciples that they should be ready. That they need to live there life at the ready, because they do not know when it will happen. It really makes me realize that I should be living my life that way as well. It needs to be geared to doing Gods work 100% of the time and not worrying about what will happen tomorrow so long as I am prepared to meet my maker today.
Tomorrow's reading is:
1 Samuel 22, Psalms 56 and Luke 22:1 - 23
Chapter 21 of 1 Samuel shows David is on the run. He is looking for supplies as he goes. He is able to acquire some bread and the sword of Goliath. I am not sure that I understand the whole bread thing that they talked about. I thought it was set aside for the priest but David takes it anyway. I have to wonder if something is going to happen to David for taking it. Goliath's sword must have been relatively large for David to carry around as well. If Goliath stood over nine foot tall you would think his sword would be larger then the average man's sword.
Psalm 34 bounces back and forth a lot in my mind. There are a few things that pop out at me that we have read before. One of them being that we should seek the Lord. Another is that we should not partake in evil things and that the Lord will protect us.
The last part of Luke 21 continues with the coming of the end times. Reading this chapter has really put me in the mood to read Revelations. Jesus continues to tell his disciples of the events that will take place during the end times and I still begin to wonder if some of those are happening at this very moment. I know somewhere it says that time is different in Heaven compared to Earth and I have to wonder if those times are not starting already. It may take 100 years here on Earth which could only be a day in Heaven. Really makes me wonder. I like the end of this chapter where Jesus tells his disciples that they should be ready. That they need to live there life at the ready, because they do not know when it will happen. It really makes me realize that I should be living my life that way as well. It needs to be geared to doing Gods work 100% of the time and not worrying about what will happen tomorrow so long as I am prepared to meet my maker today.
Tomorrow's reading is:
1 Samuel 22, Psalms 56 and Luke 22:1 - 23
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Day 120
Wow, chapter 19 of 1 Samuel is a great chapter. I enjoyed reading this chapter. There is so much going on in it that I do not know where to begin. Saul seems to still be jealous of David and is now trying to persuade people to kill him. Saul's son is not for this and leaks that information to David so that he can get away. Saul finally gets tired of the people he has ordered to kill David not following through that he decides to do it himself. The sad part is he can not do it either. I actually had to laugh when i read that he fell down and prophesied too.
Psalm 23 I do not think I can improve on so I am just going to write it down for us to read again. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." I put in the King James Version just because I like the way it reads.
Psalm 59 is kind of gruesome. I am intrigued by it though and would be interested in hearing what other readers think about it.
The first part of Luke 21 is an amazing story. I feel that I can relate to it in so many ways. I know that sometimes it hurts to give but I have come to realize that if faith is placed in him all will be taken care of. The next section is one that always sparks a little bit of conversation. Many people are starting to believe that we are in those end times that these verses spoke about. I can see how many might think that but I think it is not here yet.
Tomorrow reading is:
1Samuel 20, 21, Psalms 34 and Luke 21:20-38
Psalm 23 I do not think I can improve on so I am just going to write it down for us to read again. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." I put in the King James Version just because I like the way it reads.
Psalm 59 is kind of gruesome. I am intrigued by it though and would be interested in hearing what other readers think about it.
The first part of Luke 21 is an amazing story. I feel that I can relate to it in so many ways. I know that sometimes it hurts to give but I have come to realize that if faith is placed in him all will be taken care of. The next section is one that always sparks a little bit of conversation. Many people are starting to believe that we are in those end times that these verses spoke about. I can see how many might think that but I think it is not here yet.
Tomorrow reading is:
1Samuel 20, 21, Psalms 34 and Luke 21:20-38
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Day 119
1 Samuel 17 brings us to that all so familiar battle. Yep, the one between David and Goliath. Goliath came out to the middle of the valley to fight for the Philistines and challenged the Israelites to send out someone to fight for them. Some features of Goliath really stand out in the Bible. Goliath stood over nine feet tall and wore a coat of armor that weighed five thousand shekels. Five thousand shekels to us would equal about 125 pounds. Now his height and what would have to be an impressive statue would scare I think just about anyone. I mean to wear something that weighed 125 pounds and still be able to fight with ease he must have been pretty well built. Now David was coming from the fields to give food to his brothers who were severing in the army. While David was there he heard the words of Goliath and wondered why no one had taken him on. David goes to Saul and tells him that he will confront Goliath in the name of the Lord. David is outfitted with everything for battle and finds it to be to bulky and cumbersome for his style. David gathered 5 smooth stones and went out to confront Goliath. Goliath basically laughed and David replied by saying that he comes in the name of the Lord. As they ran towards each other David drew a stone from the bag and slung it into Goliath's forehead. Goliath then collapses to the ground. At this point most people assume that Goliath was killed with a stone, but I read it a little different. It reads to me like Goliath was simply knocked out and David killed him with his own sword and then cut off his head. I could be wrong on that point though. Saul then has David brought to him to find out who he is. I find this to be a bit confusing because I thought that David was already part of Saul's entourage.
Chapter 18 continues with David in Saul's service. Saul has begun to become jealous of David and all the success he has. Saul decides to put David in charge of an army and hopefully he will die in battle. Sadly, this does not happen and David continues to have success at all that he is put in charge of. Saul tries to trap David but putting him in a hard battle to win his daughters hand in marriage. David returns triumphant and Saul becomes even more scared.
Luke chapter 20 finishes out with talking about resurrection. The Sadducees come to Jesus and ask Him what I feel to be a very appropriate question. Jesus's answer to the question on the other hand is not what I expected at all. I guess I had always assumed that when we die we would be rejoined with our first wive or husband if more then one were involved. Jesus however says that we will all be like children in Heaven and marriage will not be recognized. The last portion of this chapter I really do not understand. It seems like there is a lot of that lately.
I apologize for still being behind. Work has been pretty busy lately and keeping me busy. Hopefully after the new stuff is installed this week at work my life will slow down a little bit and I will be able to catch back up. I want to thank all of you for continuing to read and hope that you are getting a lot of use out of this blog.
Tomorrow's reading is:
1Samuel 19, Psalms 23, 59, and Luke 21:1-19
Chapter 18 continues with David in Saul's service. Saul has begun to become jealous of David and all the success he has. Saul decides to put David in charge of an army and hopefully he will die in battle. Sadly, this does not happen and David continues to have success at all that he is put in charge of. Saul tries to trap David but putting him in a hard battle to win his daughters hand in marriage. David returns triumphant and Saul becomes even more scared.
Luke chapter 20 finishes out with talking about resurrection. The Sadducees come to Jesus and ask Him what I feel to be a very appropriate question. Jesus's answer to the question on the other hand is not what I expected at all. I guess I had always assumed that when we die we would be rejoined with our first wive or husband if more then one were involved. Jesus however says that we will all be like children in Heaven and marriage will not be recognized. The last portion of this chapter I really do not understand. It seems like there is a lot of that lately.
I apologize for still being behind. Work has been pretty busy lately and keeping me busy. Hopefully after the new stuff is installed this week at work my life will slow down a little bit and I will be able to catch back up. I want to thank all of you for continuing to read and hope that you are getting a lot of use out of this blog.
Tomorrow's reading is:
1Samuel 19, Psalms 23, 59, and Luke 21:1-19
Friday, January 28, 2011
Day 118
1 Samuel 15 is about a battle that Saul is in charge of. He is given specific instructions from God on how to go into battle and win it. It sounds like this would be something simple for Saul to follow but somehow Saul messed it up. Saul messes up the whole battle even though they win the battle. Samuel then comes to Saul and tells him that he is no longer in the favor of the Lord. Saul cries out and tries to find out how he can get back in the grace of God.
In chapter 16 we learn who is to replace Saul. Samuel travels to see the son's of Jesse. Jesse has eight sons and God has chosen the youngest of them to be the ruler. Samuel anoints him there in front of his family. We then learn that Saul is having some issues and they call for David to help him by playing his harp. I think this is very interesting how God has put David in the presence of the king.
Luke 20 starts our with a quick story about Jesus being confronted by some other priest, teachers of the law, and elders. They question Him on who gave Him the authority to do the acts that He has been performing. Jesus ask them a question to sort of teach them that He will not tell who gave Him the authority. The next parable is about workers being put in charge of the fields while the master is away. When the master sends for his portion the workers have other thoughts in mind. I wonder how they thought their plan would actually work? The next little portion is the section that I am not to fond of. You can probably guess why too. In this little portion we are told that we are to pay our taxes. I know what a bummer.
Tomorrow's reading is:
1Samuel 17, 18 and Luke 20:27-47
In chapter 16 we learn who is to replace Saul. Samuel travels to see the son's of Jesse. Jesse has eight sons and God has chosen the youngest of them to be the ruler. Samuel anoints him there in front of his family. We then learn that Saul is having some issues and they call for David to help him by playing his harp. I think this is very interesting how God has put David in the presence of the king.
Luke 20 starts our with a quick story about Jesus being confronted by some other priest, teachers of the law, and elders. They question Him on who gave Him the authority to do the acts that He has been performing. Jesus ask them a question to sort of teach them that He will not tell who gave Him the authority. The next parable is about workers being put in charge of the fields while the master is away. When the master sends for his portion the workers have other thoughts in mind. I wonder how they thought their plan would actually work? The next little portion is the section that I am not to fond of. You can probably guess why too. In this little portion we are told that we are to pay our taxes. I know what a bummer.
Tomorrow's reading is:
1Samuel 17, 18 and Luke 20:27-47
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