August 22 Bible reading

August 22 Psalm 102:1-11 1 Corinthians 15:1-34 2 Chronicles 16; 17; 18:1-27

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
• What should you do about that truth?

August 22 Psalm 102:1-11 1 Corinthians 15:1-34 2 Chronicles 16; 17; 18:1-27
Psalm 102:1-11 Psalm 102 helps us cry out to God on our worst days. We turn to God instead of turning away from God. That is how we will find strength and comfort. We can learn from the Psalms what to do and how to do it because of who God is. This will benefit us and those around us.
1 Corinthians 15:1-34 Paul’s letter keeps his direction to them within the context of the Good News of Jesus. He points out that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the determining factor for our ability to believe in this hope for our salvation. Our need to be rescued started with Adam. Our understanding of the Good News must include these elements of the redemptive narrative. We must carefully choose how we will live based on an eternal perspective and understanding of what is to come. You are an eternal supernatural being having a temporary natural experience. Jesus is victorious. Jesus will be victorious. Our God brings the dead to life.
2 Chronicles 16; 17; 18:1-27 When attacked King Asa turned to another king for help, paying him with money from God’s Temple. He suffered the consequences of trusting the ruler of an army that he could see over the one he could not see. After a civil war, a prophet predicted the punishment of God because of the selfish rebellion of the kings of Judah and Israel. We should learn from this the value of turning to God for direction, provision, and help.

August 21 Bible reading

August 21 Psalm 101 1 Corinthians 14:20-40 2 Chronicles 13; 14; 15

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
• What should you do about that truth?August 21 Psalm 101 1 Corinthians 14:20-40 2 Chronicles 13; 14; 15
Psalm 101 Psalm 101 is a song of commitment to live with integrity as a response to the “love and justice” of God. I can be motivated by finding God’s love which brings grace and mercy. At the same time I can be motivated by the justice of God as He will punish those who are unrepentant and remain guilty. Learning about the nature of who God is should bring love and respect out of me.
1 Corinthians 14:20-40 Paul provides a helpful distinction between the gifts of tongues and prophecy. He explains the importance of believers gatherings that are conducted in a way as to be as helpful as possible. We should avoid practices that cause confusion. “Let love be your highest goal.” Verses 34-35 are addressing specific people causing distraction. If we are giving “agape” love (that is faithful, patient, and kind) to each other we will be serving each other in a Jesus-kind-of-way.
2 Chronicles 13; 14; 15 The outcome of a civil war in the nation of Israel was determined by the Lord. He favored those who served Him with an understanding of His words. King Asa recognized only God could help them and he led a return to the worship of Yahweh. This included the removal of idolatry within his mother’s house. This spiritual principle continues to be relevant today.

August 20 Bible reading

August 20 Proverbs 20:15-24 1 Corinthians 14:1-19 2 Chronicles 10; 11; 12

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
• What should you do about that truth?

August 20 Proverbs 20:15-24 1 Corinthians 14:1-19 2 Chronicles 10; 11; 12
Proverbs 20:15-24 We will be more at peace if we recognize the guidance of our God and seek out wise counsel. Proverbs helps us consider, “What are God’s thoughts on this matter? What can I learn about God’s ways that will inform my daily decisions? How has God spoken to us about the way we live?”
1 Corinthians 14:1-19 A true giving love should be the goal of every Jesus follower. It should be our motivation for the use of our spiritual gifts. That will direct our focus in the use of prophecy, for example, and our understanding of the ability to speak in tongues. They are to be used in a way that is helpful to others. This “agape” giving love should be the obvious motive for the use of spiritual gifts. It also helps us evaluate if a person is maturing in the way that they use their gifts.
2 Chronicles 10; 11; 12 After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam becomes king and begins his reign by raising taxes and increasing the labor demands on the people. Jeroboam leads a revolt of the northern tribes of Israel against him and the descendants of David who would follow. In leadership, cruelty is not a God-honoring way to serve people. These two kings were constantly at war. They led people away from the worship of Yahweh. As a consequence, God allowed Egypt to punish Jerusalem. Only when they repented did God stop the Egyptians. Nothing good comes from walking away from a relationship with God.

 

August 19 Bible reading

August 19 Psalm 100 1 Corinthians 12:27-31; 13 Song of Solomon 5; 6; 7; 8

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
• What should you do about that truth?

August 19 Psalm 100 1 Corinthians 12:27-31; 13 Song of Solomon 5; 6; 7; 8

Psalm 100 Our God has faithfully cared for us. We were created by Him and we are His people. We should come to Him with thanksgiving and in it we will find fulfillment. The love of God lasts forever. It is more powerful than any other force in your world.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31; 13 We do not all have the same gifts, and that is a good thing. We should seek to be as helpful as possible to each other. The best way of life is living by a love that gives. If we use spiritual gifts without selfless love, we may cause things to get worse. True love is gentle and strong in patience, not self-focused but seeking the good of another and celebrating with the joy of others. True love will not give up, but will instead always hold on to faith in hope of the best outcome. True love will last forever.
Song of Solomon 5; 6; 7; 8 After a wedding in Solomon’s musical, the lovers grow in the way they view the relationship. The go from singing, “my lover is mine,” as their first focus to singing, “I am my lover’s and he claims me as his own.” It’s a change from self-focused to giving. This love is growing stronger and deeper. It includes a maturing in personal identity. Selfishness is not the way to peace. Giving love brings peace.

August 18 Bible reading

August 18 Psalm 99 1 Corinthians 12:1-26 Song of Solomon 1; 2; 3; 4

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
• What should you do about that truth?

August 18 Psalm 99 1 Corinthians 12:1-26 Song of Solomon 1; 2; 3; 4
Psalm 99 Our Lord is the King who transcends all kings. Our reasonable response is to praise our King’s name as more valuable than any other name. We should remember this King’s character which has been proven over thousands of years and recorded for our consideration. Reading these stories should help us reflect on the nature of who God is.
1 Corinthians 12:1-26 The Spirit of God gives people special abilities beyond what they develop naturally. These abilities are for the purpose of helping others. Each person who is a follower of Jesus is a member of the “Body of Christ” and part of something bigger than themselves. Each one has equal value, and should be connected. When any one suffers, we all suffer. When any one is honored, we should all be glad. This is the way of showing love and respect for each person.
Song of Solomon 1; 2; 3; 4 King Solomon writes a musical about a love affair between a woman and a king. They sing about how their perspective changes over time. They grow in appreciation of each other, from infatuation to a greater understand of each other throughout their marriage. They grow in love and respect for each other. They make a life-long commitment to each other. It’s a passionate relationship.

 

August 17 Bible reading

August 17 Psalm 98 1 Corinthians 11:2-34 2 Chronicles 7:11-22; 8; 9

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
• What should you do about that truth?

August 17 Psalm 98 1 Corinthians 11:2-34 2 Chronicles 7:11-22; 8; 9
Psalm 98 When we consider the actions of God, things we have observed, Psalm 98 suggests that we should sing out our new song of praise to God. Consider what God has done, list it, describe it, and joyfully express your response to it! In our worship of God, we should keep an eternal perspective.
1 Corinthians 11:2-34 All believers are interdependent and valuable. Various head coverings brought Corinthian culture a myriad of argument, in part because they had become linked to occupations (such as spiritual leaders, gurus, and prostitutes) and social class (including the evil practice of devaluing people). Paul advises the Corinthians to avoid using how they dressed to perpetuate arguments and instead show a healthy mutual submission in a lifestyle of trust in the loving God. In my view, any discussion of headship without this understanding lacks context. Paul recalls the Corinthians to a pure approach to the Lord’s Supper.
2 Chronicles 7:11-22; 8; 9 God reminds Solomon that humble repentance will bring forgiveness and restoration. We must learn from this example. Then we will not be afraid to come to God when we have made mistakes. We will have hope on our worst days.

 

August 16 Bible reading

August 16 Proverbs 20:5-14 1 Corinthians 10:14-33; 11:1 2 Chronicles 5:2-14; 6; 7:1-10

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
• What should you do about that truth?

August 16 Proverbs 20:5-14 1 Corinthians 10:14-33; 11:1 2 Chronicles 5:2-14; 6; 7:1-10
Proverbs 20:5-14 Solomon learned the benefit of drawing out wise counsel from others. He also found fulfillment in helping people in need of wise counsel. Here we read about the value of meaningful relationships such as this in our own lives. Here we read suggestions for how to draw benefits from them. That’s followed by specific words to live by.
1 Corinthians 10:14-33; 11:1 Not a single person has washed away their own guilt and lived clean under their own power. We all need a savior, someone who is clean to make us clean. How we choose to live our life will bring results good or bad. Paul advises us to understand that we have freedom in how we live because of Jesus, and yet we should understand that not everything is beneficial to this life of faith and how we influence others. We must take into consideration what is best for others. All of our life choices should be for the glory of God as we seek to live like Jesus.
2 Chronicles 5:2-14; 6; 7:1-10 King Solomon brings together all of the spiritual leaders of Israel for an amazing dedication ceremony using all of the supplies and offerings his father had prepared. In the right way, and with the right heart, they bring the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant into the Temple and offer sacrifices to God. They declared the faithful love of God and the presence of God was overwhelming. They appropriated prayers of the past and renewed their covenant.