TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Chronicles 13-14 & Psalms 139-140

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 13- Storms Of Life

2 Chronicles 13:18
“Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers.”

I spent much of my life in California before moving to Florida. The people I first met in Florida… Read More

2 Chronicles 14- Facing Giants

2 Chronicles 14:11
“And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, ‘ Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!’”

King Asa, and the nation of Judah, were facing an obstacle much too great for them… Read More

Psalm 139- Searchlight

Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

In this portion of the Psalm, David prays three things: search me, try me… Read More

Psalm 140- Cover My Head

Psalms 140:7
“O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.”

David was familiar with warfare. He had faced Giants and well as giant armies. He knew the dangers of hand to hand combat and there is little doubt… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Chronicles 11-12 & Psalms 137-138

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 11- When God Speaks

2 Chronicles 11:4
“Thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not go up or fight against your brethren! Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me.’  Therefore they obeyed the words of the Lord, and turned back from… Read More
2 Chronicles 12- You Have Forsaken Me

2 Chronicles 12:5
“Thus says the Lord:‘You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak. ’”

A few years ago I was… Read More
Psalm 137- Weeping

Psalms 137:1
“By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.”

The story of Israel is a familiar one. They were saved by the marvelous grace and mighty hand of God who provided for their needs and gave them victory over their enemies. Soon they began to… Read More

Psalm 138- Praise Him

Psalm 138:1|
“I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You.”

David paints a picture that is familiar to all of us. He is surrounded by those who are not following Jehovah, and are feverishly pursuing other things. The false gods of the heathen… Read More

 

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Chronicles 9-10 & Psalms 135-136

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 9- Unraveling

2 Chronicles 9:6
“However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard.”

A person, standing at a distance and looking in at Solomon’s… Read More

2 Chronicles 10- Independence

2 Chronicles 10:4
“Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”

Solomon’s expansive building projects did not come cheaply, and had a devastating effect upon the nation of Israel. The people sat under a heavy … Read More

Psalm 136- Never Ending Mercy

Psalm 136:1
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

It has been suggested by many, this psalm was sung by the worship leaders of Israel, with the congregation serving as the choir. The Levites would sing a verse and the people would respond, “For His mercy endures forever.” Imagine thousands of travelers finally arriving in Jerusalem, for one of the great feasts, and the skilled musicians begin… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Chronicles 7-8 & Psalms 133-134

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 7- Our Nation

2 Chronicles 7:14
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

The bible clearly teaches God is just, and will one day judge each nation for its… Read More

Psalm 133- How Sweet It Is

Psalm 133:1
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

The psalmist is calling us to action. He desperately wants our attention, and calls us to look at the brethren dwelling together in unity. The unity he was speaking of was a united desire to seek after Jehovah. This Psalm was one of the many songs… Read More
Psalm 134- Bless The Lord

Psalms 134:1-2
“Behold, bless the Lord, All you servants of the Lord, Who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord.”

The psalmist exhorts us to enter with the congregation of God into the presence of the Lord. He tells us that we should lift our hands as we bless the Lord. I find it interesting that it is possible to bless God. I understand how… Read More

 

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Chronicles 5-6 & Psalms 131-132

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 6- The Cross

2 Chronicles 6:29-30
“Whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple: then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways…”
… Read More

Psalm 131- Selfie

Psalms 131:1
“Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me.”

… Read More
Psalm 132- Priorities

Psalm 132:4-5
“I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, Until I find a place for the Lord, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

This psalm is referring to a time when King David took a spiritual inventory of his life. His days of fleeing from Saul and living in… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Chronicles 3-4 & Psalms 129-130

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 3- Established

2 Chronicles 3:17
“Then he set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left; he called the name of the one on the right hand Jachin, and the name of the one on the left Boaz.”

In addition to building the Temple, Solomon had two large pillars erected, which he… Read More
2 Chronicles 4- House Of God

2 Chronicles 4:19
“Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God…”

The primary purpose of the Temple was to serve as a place where God and man could meet, however, it also serves as an illustration of the our salvation. Each of the furnishing depicts … Read More

Psalm 129- Under Attack

Psalms 129:1
“Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth,”

Difficultly is part of the journey for the people of God. Israel as a nation has been under constant scrutiny and attack since its inception and at the same it is true of the child of God. The moment you publicly proclaim the name of Jesus… Read More
Psalm 130- Accusations

Psalm 130:3-4
“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.”

The Psalmist is rejoicing in the pardon the Lord provides. In doing so, he considers what would happen to us if the Lord treated our wrongdoings the way we do. What would happen to us if, instead of forgiving sin, God kept a detailed record of it. Instead of removing it as far as the East is from the West, or casting it into the depths of the… Read More

Psalms 128:3
“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants
All around your table.”

In the financial world it is common to speak of ROI or “Return on Investment.” Decisions are made based upon the projected returns a particular investment will bring. The greater the return the better the investment. Another term used in the financial world is “Risk Free Investment.” Which refers to an investment where you are guaranteed to get back at least what you put in. Here the psalmist is speaking of a risk free investment that will yield a massive return. He writes about marriage and family and describes a scene with the family sitting around the table enjoying sweet fellowship with one another. There are few things in life that are more beautiful than seeing a family loving and caring for one another. This scene is often depicted in movies, art and even on commercials when holidays are approaching. Sadly, the scene is not nearly as common in real life. Statistically speaking the family has been under attack for decades. According to Pew Research Center 1/2 of America’s children are living in a home that has suffered divorce or where their parents were never married.

Since the family is the backbone of society great effort has been enacted in an attempt to strengthen the family. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) represents more than 50,000 marriage and family therapists throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad. While these efforts are valiant and there are certainly times when professional help is necessary there may be a more effective way to change the staggering trend we are on as a nation. What if each of us were to take more seriously our role as parents and make the necessary physical, emotional and spiritual investments in our spouse and children? This type of investment is risk free. The more we pour into our families the greater returns we will later enjoy.

The Bible speaks to husbands and wives to show mutual respect to one another and to express love in tangible and even extraordinary ways. Instead of looking at all the ways your spouse is failing to meet your expectations, take the time to pour into them. Love them, cherish them, respect them and watch what kind of returns you will yield.

The Bible speaks to parents regarding the need to care for, disciple, train, provide for and raise their children to honor, love and properly fear the Lord. This is to be accomplished by spending time with them and using real life as a classroom to instill in them godly values, goals and experience. It is the responsibility of the parent to teach by example. When we learn to live for Christ and walk in grace we will be a living bible for our children to read and follow.

It is never too late! No matter what family life has been like for you it is time to increase the efforts, make the proper investments and patiently await the return you will one day yield. The Bible even promises a day when many will see their prodigal children returning home.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 128

1. In verse 1 of this psalm, we are told that the person whose life is directed by a desire to please the Lord and do things His way is a happy person.  Then we see how this attitude affects various aspects of his life.
2. Look at verse 2.  How will his vocational and financial life be affected?
3. Look at verse 3 and 6. How will his family life be affected?

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Chronicles 1-2 & Psalms 127-128

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 1- Slip Sliding

2 Chronicles 1:15
“Also the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland.”

After Solomon ascended to the throne of David, he was gifted by God with everything necessary to become the greatest king the world had ever known. Because of his father’s military campaigns, the nation would experience a time of peace unlike anything they had ever…Read More
2 Chronicles 2- Heavy Lifting

2 Chronicles 2:5-6
“And the temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?”

Solomon faced a great predicament, he desired to build… Read More
Psalm 127- Why Worry?

Psalm 127:2
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.”

The Psalmist is describing a scenario common to all of us. There are times, when the hand life deals us is difficult to cope with; sleep is effected, and our… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 1 Chronicles 28-29 & Psalms 124-125

Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 28- Looking Ahead

1 Chronicles 28:8
“Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever.”
…Read More

1 Chronicles 29- Investment

1 Chronicles 29:3
“Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver.”

David, and others, invested in the temple at great personal cost. They devoted their time, talents, and treasures to ensure that the house of the Lord was built. Their devotion to this project… Read More

Psalm 124- One Size Fits All

Psalm 124:8
“Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”

I have always been somewhat puzzled by the marketing slogan “one size fits all.” It seems that really means it might fit, but it won’t fit well. It is much like the all-in-one tools that don’t seem to do any jobs quite right… Read More

Psalm 125- Cannot Be Moved

Psalms 125:1
“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”

1. 4,000 years ago Abraham was instructed to take his son to Mount Zion and offer him to the Lord. 2,800 years ago David purchased the threshing floor of Ornan… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 1 Chronicles 26-27 & Psalms 122-123

Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 26- Small Things

1 Chronicles 26:13
“And they cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house.”

As David recounts those who would serve in the various capacities within the house of the Lord, he reminds us that all service, small or great, is determined by the Lord. Those who would attend to the gates of the city were chosen by… Read More
1 Chronicles 27- Behind The Scenes

1 Chronicles 27:1
“And the children of Israel, according to their number, the heads of fathers’ houses, the captains of thousands and hundreds and their officers, served the king in every matter of the military divisions. These divisions came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each division having twenty-four thousand.”

David was the … Read More

Psalm 122- Come With Me

Psalm 122:1
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’”

The writer of Hebrews exhorts us not to forsake the gathering together of the brethren (Hebrews 10:25). In other words; get to church! That is the heart of what David is singing about in this Psalm. He begins by declaring what a blessing it is to have someone invite him to the house of the Lord. Even as the king of a nation, David was still a… Read More

Psalm 123- Free From Sin

Psalm 123:1-2
“Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy on us.”… Read More