The Big Picture

Second Kings 17 marks a major turning point for God’s chosen people. Their rejection of God was constant, and God permitted the enemy nation of Assyria to come and take the northern kingdom into captivity. Though God’s prophets had repeatedly warned the people to turn from their wickedness and idolatry, they had refused to do so.

The southern kingdom of Judah still stands, but precariously so. Though there are a couple of good kings, the majority of them are evil, including the notorious King Manasseh, whose wicked reign lasts 55 years. By the time we reach 2 Kings 25, God’s judgment is poured out against the southern kingdom. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon comes against the city of Jerusalem and, after a lengthy siege, conquers the city. The temple is destroyed by fire, as is most of the city. And the survivors are taken back to Babylon to begin 70 years in captivity.

What to Watch For

Why the long lists of names at the beginning of 1 Chronicles? This record is meant to remind Israel of her spiritual history. Though the people had rebelled against God and had been taken into captivity, they were still God’s people. God had every intention of remaining faithful to them and to His promise to eventually send a deliverer, the Messiah, who would come from the family lineage of David. In reminding the people of their spiritual heritage, God wanted to give them a sense of hope for the future.

Applications for Today from 2 Kings—1 Chronicles 4:4

• No matter what we do, God is faithful to keep His promises to His children. We may reap consequences for our sins, but God will never desert us.
• After their captivity, the Israelites never again fell into idolatry. They had learned their lesson. Likewise, the consequences or punishments from our past sins can serve as lessons that motivate us toward greater holiness in the future.

The Big Picture

Paul’s third missionary journey, which spanned four years, ends at Acts 21:16. Back in Acts 9, when God chose Paul to become an apostle, God said, “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel” (verse 15). We see this prophetic declaration fulfilled in with amazing precision in the final chapters of Acts. Indeed, through persecution, God brings about opportunities for Paul to proclaim the gospel to the top religious leaders of Israel (the Sanhedrin) and as well as top Roman government officials (and later, King Agrippa in Acts 25).

What to Watch For

• What charge does Paul give to the elders at the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:27-31)?
• Note the special ways God protects the apostle Paul from being killed so that he can testify about Christ to people who would normally never hear the gospel. Note particularly Paul’s advantage in being a Roman citizen. This is just one of many details that God sovereignly ordained in the life of Paul so that the gospel message could be advanced.

Application for Today from Acts 20—24

Those who attacked Paul intended for their persecution to silence him, but instead, the persecution gave Paul wonderful new opportunities to spread the gospel. God can do the same in your life. He may bring difficult people into your life so that they have an opportunity to see God’s love, grace, and truth through you.

“Many also of those who had believed, kept coming , confessing and disclosing their practices…(and many) brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of all.” (Acts 19:18-19a NASB)

 Several years ago during high school camp at Harlow, a young pastor challenged the teenagers about “their music.”  He asked, “Is it edifying, conveying a godly message?  Would you let Jesus listen to it”  Or does it cause you to fall into temptation with ungodly words and suggestions?”  After campfire that night one teen went immediately to his cabin and returning with an armload of CD”S asked the camp pastor to take them and give them away.  The pastor responded, “I could NEVER give these away and cause someone else to stumble. These are only good for the fire.”  So that night they tossed them in the campfire pit.  To everyone’s amazement others followed his example and literally hundreds of dollars of CD”S went up in smoke.

Someone once said, “It is all too true that many of us hate our sins, but cannot leave them.”  I am humbled by the acts of the Jewish exorcists and these teenagers who decided to permanently remove their sin from their lives, and to do it in the “sight of all.”  I recognize times in my life when I could have set my own five alarm fire with the rubbish I had gathered, with the sins I could not leave.  I am thankful for the times I have chosen to toss them in the fire and rid myself of them permanently.

Lord, help me to be quick to recognize the “trash” that comes my way and send it immediately to the fire pit.  I do not want to hold on to anything that separates me from you.

Psalm 145:14   The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.

I would say people are bent beneath the loads of life these days.  Lots of stress, busy lives, tons of commitments, and other everyday things probably make people feel overwhelmed, bent, and maybe even fallen and can’t get up.

I’ve experienced that at times.  We probably all have, but the beauty of Psalm 145:14 is the simple statement that the Lord helps.  God is a helper, He assists, He is there for me.  I am so grateful that when I feel like I can’t get up and I am “bent” God is there to help me to my feet and keep me headed in the right direction.  God is a burden lifter and I can take my burdensome load and place it into His capable hands.

Thank you Jesus for bearing the load of my sin on your shoulders and taking my failures and forgiving me.  Help me Lord to not carry the loads of life by myself but to trust you to carry them for me.

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  God did this so that man would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:26-28

I have been praying for Israel. We have been watching the news. These are times…exciting times in light of bible prophesy. I have seen the Lord’s hand in my life during this time… When my husband and I were first married, seven years ago this week, we were studying Revelation. We moved to Eugene, and started at a new church, and they were studying Revelation. The Lord wanted us to be saturated with the truth about the end times and prophesy. He prepared us ahead of time to see His hand as history is in the making.

The scripture today reminded me that God is in control. His desire is for people to seek Him. He knows that right now there is not going to be peace in Jerusalem, and He is not far from His people.

I am beyond thankful for the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7). God has met me along the way in his word, just as He did this morning, to show me that He is near, and that He understands what I need to live in these times… to find Him. I hesitate to say this, but I am grateful for the unrest in the world…it means we are closer to heaven, according to the word, and I hope that people will give up and find their peace in the Lord.

Lord, I pray that I will have a grateful heart not a grating heart. I pray that I will be able to encourage people along the way, and that I will continue to see Your hand in this world…the way it is…at this time.

“The Heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” Psalms 19:1-2

 
It’s not often that I’m struck by something so much that I am in awe. It’s not often enough that I take the time to sit back and allow myself to be awed by the God who lovingly created me and cares for me. These verses are a testimony to that love He has for me and why I should be in awe.  Over the last weeks I’ve had a few instances where I’m stopped dead in my tracks looking up at the blueness of the sky by day or the depth of the sky and stars at night. It could be because I live in Eugene, (where opportunities for star gazing are a gift), but I was so struck the other night by God’s creation. He made himself known to me as I looked up because “the heavens are telling of the the Glory of God.”

We’ve been reading a lot lately in Acts and Romans about how the gospel is for all people. If the heaven’s are declaring His Glory than they are for everyone as well. I’m struck by the fact that most of the world will look at the sky and be in awe in some form or another, but until they understand the depth of God’s message to us, they will never really understand the purpose God’s creation has for them.

Father, thank you for your creation. Thank you that you chose to fill the sky in a way that ispires awe and causes us to realize that there is a personal and loving God that desires to know us. Please continue to reaveal more and more of yourself through your creation, and use your works, including me to proclaim your gospel.

2 Kings 5 is a study in which one man gets rid of his leprosy, and another man contracts it.  Naaman was a great man in the world’s eyes. He was a valiant soldier and highly regarded.  However, he had leprosy (or a skin disease). He was sent to the king of Israel to have his leprosy cured.  When the king was unable to cure Naaman, he sent him to Elisha, the man of God. Elisha gave him instructions to go wash in the river Jordan seven times. Namaan thought Elisha’s instructions were ridiculous, so he refused and went away.  But, Naaman’s servants were evidently smarter than he, for they counseled him to go ahead and wash seven times. Naaman did, and he was cleansed.
When Naaman wanted to repay Elisha for his healing, Elisha refused, because he wanted Naaman to know that the gift of God is free.  However, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, said to himself, “I can take advantage of this situation”. He went after Naaman, lied, and was able to procure two talents of silver for himself.  When Gehazi returned, Elisha knew by God’s Spirit that his servant had sinned. Elisha pronounced a curse of leprosy on Gehazi and his descendants forever.
There is a lot in this passage that I can learn. But, what I primarily see is that Naaman got rid of his leprosy in spite of his stupidity, because he had wise counsel.  I also see that Gehazi was cursed because he did not have wise counsel. Instead, he listened to his own desires for things of this world, and ended up with the same disease that Naaman had, only it was going to last forever. It seems good, then, in light of our imperfection, to surround ourselves with people of wisdom, who can discern the Lord’s heart.  In that way, we can avoid getting leprosy or something worse, (like a prideful heart) and we can hopefully enjoy the abundant life that God promises for those of us who know Him.
I thought of James 4:19-20 when I read today’s passage. It says, ”My brothers, if any one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

The Big Picture

This week’s readings begin with a survey of Elisha’s ministry, which is marked by unusual miracles. In the meantime, we are introduced to a succession of kings over the northern kingdom of Israel and southern kingdom of Judah. In general, the people continue to spiral downward into sin and idolatry, and things become increasingly violent and bloody. It can be confusing to try to keep track of all the kings, but one thing is very clear: the spiritual decline is becoming worse and worse.

Amazingly, God continues to be patient and allow plenty of time for the people to turn back to Him before He sends judgment upon them.

Things to Watch For

• Look for signs that God is still in sovereign control over the people and events of Israel and Judah, even though they have rebelled against Him.

• Jehoash (in 2 Kings 12) was one of the very few kings who “did what was right in the sight of the LORD” (verse 2). What good things did he do? What did he fail to do (12:3)?

Applications from 2 Kings 4–16

• How seriously should we take God at His Word when it comes to obedience or disobedience?

• What choices were the kings and people of Israel and Judah making, and what were the consequences of those choices?

The Big Picture

In Acts 15:36 to 18:22 we read about the apostle Paul’s second missionary journey, and Acts 18:23 marks the beginning of Paul’s third journey. Among the highlights of these journeys are Paul’s imprisonment in Philippi, his ministry to the philosophers in Athens, and the riot in Ephesus (where those who profited from the worship of false gods felt threatened by Paul and the spread of Christianity).

What to Watch For

• Note the variety of responses people gave to the gospel. Find one or two notable accounts about people becoming Christians, and find one or two notable accounts of opposition.

• In ancient times, prisons were horrible places. Yet what are Paul and Silas doing in the prison at Philippi? (Acts 16:25). What is the result of their behavior? (Acts 16:30-34).

Applications from Acts 15–19

• As you read through Acts 16–19, pay close attention to the different situations in which Paul shares the gospel. What are some words you would use to describe Paul as a representative of God? (for example, gracious, courageous, etc.).

• What are some differences between the ways the early church spread the gospel, and the ways the modern church acts in the world? What do you think made the early church so effective?

It seems war is the only thing that we hear about anymore. War is everywhere. Second Kings Chapter 3 reminds me of three things: (1) War has always been and always will be as long as men do not know Jesus. (2) Governments do not seem to use “a prophet of the Lord” in decision making as they did in this story. (3) When the Lord is on your side, you cannot lose.
Brett spoke last Sunday on two ships; a battle ship and a Cruz line. It is funny how it roles into this section of scripture. His message was a good reminder to me that just as our military takes care of people; they are also in a constant state of alertness against the enemy. I am no different. Just as these men needed water to help in winning their battle, I need the constant still small voice of God quenching my thirst for truth and crushing the evil that I fight against everyday. If I do not “drink”, I do not win. Simple formula if you ask me. BATTLE STATIONS!!!

Psalm 138:3  “When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need.”

God answers prayer.  God provides strength.  He encourages people in their times of need and he listens to the prayers of his people.

The simplicity of this verse and the reminder of how God responds struck me today.  God answers.  It may not always be the answer I want, but he answers.  More importantly I am reminded that at any time, in any moment I have a direct connection to my creator.  I can find encouragement, I can be strengthened, and my needs will be met.  Maybe not in the exact ways I want or think should happen, but God takes care of me.

The first three words of this verse…  “When I pray”  Makes me realize that there are times when I don’t pray and there are times when I do pray.  I get to choose.  It is in the times that I do pray that I feel the most encouraged, strengthened, and prepared to live for the Lord.

Jesus, thank you for listening.  Thank you for encouraging. Thank you for strength when I need it.  Thank you for this verse that reminds me to pray more often.

Acts 12:2  While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

It was during a time of worship that the voice of the Holy Spirit was heard. The Holy Spirit was “manning the battleship.” Barnabas and Saul had their work cut out for them. God had plans for them~something for them to do.

God has something for me to do. Worship and work go hand in hand. If I have this day to live then I have work to do for Him. Worship needs to be a part of my day. Although everything I do should be an act of worship, I need to spend purposeful time with Him each day. That needs to be a priority. Romans 12:1 says that in view of His mercy, I am urged to offer my body as a living sacrifice (holy & pleasing to Him). That is also my spiritual act of worship. Does offering my body mean to be willing to work and do those things He prepared in advance for me to do? (Eph. 2:10) I think so. Finding my place to serve in the church body each and every day means doing the work He has called me to do…helping on the battleship.

I praise you, God, for this day. I praise you, God, for calling me to do something for You and for Your kingdom. What an honor! May I do nothing other than what you have called me to do this day. May I only do things through your power. To You be the honor and glory.