June 17 Bible reading

June 17  Proverbs 15:1-10  Acts 11:19-30; 12:1-19  1 Kings 2:13-46; 3:1-15

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 the 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?

June 17  Proverbs 15:1-10  Acts 11:19-30; 12:1-19  1 Kings 2:13-46; 3:1-15

Proverbs 15:1-10

The carefully chosen words of a wise person will help your motivation to learn, bring you good advice, de-escalate anger, and bring you life-giving truth. Each of us should be intentional about personal growth that looks like this example of a “wise person”. Each of us should move toward offering such “carefully chosen words” to those we speak with.

Acts 11:19-30; 12:1-19

A loving community of people, from a variety of cultures (“races”) and ethnicities, in Antioch, Syria of Palestine, became a church mostly comprised of Gentile Jesus followers. They experienced a life-changing faith in Jesus and earned a reputation of being like Jesus. They sent relief to Jewish Jesus followers in preparation for a famine. They were the first people to be called “Christians”. After Herod had James put to death and Peter imprisoned, the church prayed. They saw Peter miraculously released. This amazing group of believers did not give up. They still believed in the God of miracles. They prayed and they saw results.

1 Kings 2:13-46; 3:1-15

A priest and a military commander were guilty of betrayal and senseless murder while seeking political power in rebellion against King David. Justice and mercy were employed by the new King Solomon. God rewards Solomon’s request for the wisdom to serve people well. If Solomon will faithfully follow God, he may expect a long and prosperous life. The motivations of his heart were known by God and relevant to God’s response. What should we learn from this?