Chronological Bible Blog

Proverbs 22:17-24:34
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Proverbs – Proverbs 22 verses 17 through 19 today are a great reminder for why we read and study the Bible!  “Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings deep within yourself, always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today–yes, you–so you will trust in the LORD.”  Great stuff.  I love the part that says it is good to keep these saying deep within yourself – in your heart!  And to memorize these sayings with your mind so that they are always ready on your lips.  Are you listening to the words of the Bible?  Are you applying your heart to the Bible’s instruction?  Is studying the Bible enhancing your trust in God?  Actually – if anyone out there memorizes Scripture, please post up in the Comments section below?  I would love to know which verses you have found useful in your life?  And – if anyone has advice on how to best go about memorizing Scripture, please post that up too.  Are you memorizing Scripture on a regular basis?  Are you bringing Scripture to mind when faced with temptation or sadness or whatever ails you?

Proverbs 22 verses 20-21 today teach us: “I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. In this way, you may know the truth and bring an accurate report to those who sent you.” These two Proverbs verses today actually tie in quite nicely with Psalm 49 verses 1-3 above.  Let us know the truth of God’s Word and then report it accurately to others!  Actually, this is probably a good point for me to ask you if you are participating in a Bible study at your church?  If not, can I encourage you to consider starting up a One Year Bible study / small group at your church next year?  Seriously.  Please think and pray about this leadership opportunity.  I do realize not everyone is called to something like this.  But – I think many of us are – probably more of us than we think are.  If you have been going through the One Year Bible with us this year, you have learned much!  I think you are in a great position to lead a One Year Bible study / small group at your church next year.  All you need is a One Year Bible, perhaps the One Year Bible Companion book with Q&A teachings for each day’s readings, and a willingness to take this opportunity on. Will you think and pray about this?  Will you talk to your pastor or the appropriate person at your church about this?  You don’t need to know the Bible backwards and forwards to lead a group!  You just need to take the initiative to lead, and invite others to join you on the journey.  You will be amazed by how God moves in a Bible study!  It will bless you and those around you immensely!  Will you lead someone (or a group of someone’s) through the One Year Bible next year?

Proverbs chapter 22 verses 22 & 23 teach us today: “Do not rob the poor because they are poor or exploit the needy in court. For the LORD is their defender. He will injure anyone who injures them.”  This is a strong warning to not rob or exploit the poor.  I think we would do well to think of this not only in terms of the materially poor, but the spiritually or emotionally poor too.  Let us not rob them or exploit them.  For the Lord is their defender!

Proverbs 22 verses 24 through 25 are a great reminder to pay attention to who our friends are: “Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.”  I’ve read somewhere that a good way to determine the character of a person is to take a look at who their friends are.  Now, this is a bit tricky I think because none of our friends will ever be perfect.  We should not look for perfect friends.  We won’t be perfect friends to others either.  Jesus is the only one true perfect friend for each of us.  But, there are certainly some “friends” who probably should not be people we spend a good deal of leisure time with.  There may be friends who are into lying or pornography or who are angry or short-tempered (per this Proverb) that we need to be very cautious around, otherwise we may learn to be like them.  Now, I do think we are called to be friends to people who may struggle with various things – including lying, pornography, being angry, etc. – but, we need to be very cautious and clear on our boundaries.  This is a tricky one I know…  Overall, I will say this – there are friends of mine that I have had to let go because I knew that hanging around them was simply not good for me.  How about you?  Are there any friends in your life that you may simply need to let the friendship go?  When might this be the appropriate thing to do?  When might it be the inappropriate thing to do?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Seph Schlueter’s song “Counting my Blessings:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er5XPKdpqHQ

Are you Counting your Blessings?  Click here to be Blessed!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Proverbs 20:1-22:16
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Proverbs 20 verse 1 today reminds me of the need for and success of modern day Alcoholics Anonymous – “Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise.”  I don’t have personal experience with AA, but have heard very good things about it from several friends.  I do love the AA Serenity Prayer – I think this prayer is a great prayer for all of us – “God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.”  Amen. 

While I’m on the subject of alcohol, since the Bible brought it up and all :), mind if I go on a bit of a tangent on this subject?  Thanks.  🙂  I would be very interested to hear others views / experiences with alcohol in their lives in the Comments below.  (I know that some of our denominations have very different views on alcohol.)  I’ll share with you here that I struggled with alcohol abuse big time in my teens and early 20’s. Certainly this Proverb was true in my case – wine produced a mocker out of me.  Liquor led to brawls – oftentimes more psychological brawls than physical.  And certainly I don’t think I had the ability to be wise back in the days when I was led astray by excessive drink.  Very frankly, I nearly drank myself to death the night before I graduated college.  Alcohol poisoning / a black out got a hold of me that night.  I’ll spare you all the details, other than to say that after my near-death experience with alcohol, I knew I had a decision to make.  Keep going the way I was going and I would die.  Or go another direction.  I didn’t quite know what that other direction was or would look like, but I knew I had to go in the other direction away from alcohol / the party life.  And thankfully God led me to Him.  It took me 6 years of searching from the night I almost drank myself to death to the night when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, but it was the most important journey to undertake in my life.  (The journey to Jesus is the most important journey in all of our lives…)  So, yes, alcohol can be a dangerous thing, to say the least.  I do know many Christians who do not / never have really struggled with it.  I don’t fault anyone for drinking in moderation.  (These days I don’t drink anymore – gave it up when I became a father.)  I just know that many people reading this blog likely struggle with or know someone who struggles with alcohol.  All I know is that if alcohol is something that you are “allergic” to, stay away from it.  Don’t touch it.  Get into AA if tomorrow if you need to.  (please… do it if you need to…)  Let each of us never forget this Proverb 20:1 – “Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise.”

Proverbs chapter 20 verse 3 is such great wisdom: “Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.”  I once was a fool who insisted on quarreling with Tony back in about 3rd grade 🙂 after either I beat him or he beat me in the 50 yard dash at Field Day.  Tony kept trying to avoid the fight with me.  But I kept on pressing it.  And I got whupped!  It was really a great learning experience for me.  I have avoided fights ever since!  Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t think we are called to be submissive and let people walk all over us.  I think we can confidently and strongly hold our ground on important issues – without fighting or quarrelling.  How about you?  Do you avoid fights?  Do you realize this is a mark of honor?  Or do you insist on quarrelling?  Think this is a good idea…?

Proverbs 20 verse 6 definitely gives me something to think about: “Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful?”  This is a challenging Proverb for me because I feel like I have many good friends.  Many who are loyal.  And some who even seem faithful.  But… yet…. there are still times on occasion when these friends do let me down.  Or I know for a fact I let them down on occasion.  It’s our human nature.  Fortunately for us, long after this Proverb was written, we were given the most faithful friend we could ever dream up or imagine in Jesus.  Jesus really should be our best friend.  I had a friend kind of shock me with this thought by continually referring to Jesus as his best friend at a lunch we had a few years ago.  For some reason I was very comfortable with Jesus being my savior.  But my friend?  My best friend?  Well, it was a new concept to me.  And maybe this is a new concept to you.  I do honestly believe Jesus wants to be our best friend.  And he will undoubtedly be the one true and loyal and faithful friend we all can have – now and forever.  So, is Jesus your best friend?

Proverbs 20 verse 7 today is a wonderful reminder that the way we live our lives today sets an example for children: “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them.”  What type of example are you setting for children in your life?  Are you walking with integrity?  Do you believe children will be blessed after you because you walked with integrity?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Proverbs remind me of the song “Then Christ Came” by MercyMe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOQgWeLq64U

Has Christ come to you?  Click here and let Christ in your heart!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Proverbs 17:1-19:29
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Proverbs 17 verse 1 is so very wise… “A dry crust eaten in peace is better than a great feast with strife.” I don’t know about you, but this Proverb hits home.  I have eaten very simple meals in peace that have been so beautiful.  And I have also eaten at great feasts filled with drama and angst and strife.  The world may preach to us that the latter is better – the feast with all it’s drama.  But, I think the still small quiet voice of God through the Bible indicates the former is better.  Which do you think is better?  The peaceful crust or the strifeful feast? 

Below is an image of a “strifeful feast” to say the least from the artist Rembrandt again.  This is from Daniel chapter 5 verses 1 through 6 – “King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them.  While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote.  His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way.”  (As Paul Harvey would say, check out the rest of this story in Daniel chapter 5 at this link and learn what the writing on the wall means!  Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin!)

I love Proverbs chapter 17 verse 3 today – “Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.”  I think sometimes in our lives we tend to forget to live from our hearts.  We live from our minds I think so often – and we can tend to silence our hearts.  But God wants our hearts.  He wants our hearts to be fully his.  God oftentimes will speak to us through our hearts – sometimes I find that God’s “still small voice” or God’s whisper can only be discerned through my heart.  So, let us live from our hearts.  And let us realize that God is very interested in our hearts – and will test the purity of our hearts.  The heart is so critically important for our spiritual life…  how is the landscape of your heart today?  What would God find inside your heart right now?  Is your heart pure?  Is your heart for God?

Proverbs 17 verse 5 is quite convicting for us to consider: “Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.”  That is a powerful realization – if you mock the poor, you mock God.  If you care for the poor, you care for God.  I have a friend who met Mother Teresa many years back at her home for the sick & dying in Calcutta.  And my friend when he met her was trying to tell her all the great stuff he was doing in his life and in his ministry.  But, Mother Teresa really didn’t care to hear about all his ministry stuff.  All she said to him was “Do you want to meet Jesus?  Do you want to meet Jesus?”  And of course he said “Yes!  Of course I do Mother Teresa.”  So, she led him by the hand down a hall and into a room where a man was on his deathbed.  She sat my friend down at a chair by this man’s bed.  And she placed my friend’s hands on this dying man’s hands.  And she said, “Now you will meet Jesus.”  And she left the room…  and left him in the room with the dying man for about 30 minutes.   And you know what – my friend met Jesus that day in a way he had never done so before.  So, how about you.  Do you want to meet Jesus?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Proverbs remind me of the Selah song “Unredeemed:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfGbcjCVDOs

Are you Unredeemed?  Click here for Redemption!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Proverbs 14:1-16:33
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Proverbs chapter 14 verse 2 we read – “He whose walk is upright fears the LORD.” What does it mean to you to fear the Lord? Is it possible that for us to have some fear of the Lord is healthy? Why would fear of the Lord be healthy? Don’t get me wrong – I’m not suggesting we live our lives in abject fear of God all of the time. But – this Proverb is in the Bible – and it says that someone whose walk is upright fears the Lord. So, I do humbly suggest that there is a healthy fear of God that each of us should recognize. (along with a raging LOVE of God as well of course)

I once heard a pastor say a few words about Proverbs chapter 14 verse 4: “An empty stable stays clean, but no income comes from an empty stable.” Basically this pastor was talking about how things were a little bit hectic around the church – due to church growth and related growing pains.  And he brought up this verse, with the point being that it is a blessing that the church is not “clean” – in the spic & span sense – because this means a lot of things are happening.  There is “income”.  There are people getting to know God and Jesus.   And yes, there are some messes.  But it’s better than a spic & span clean stable / church where nothing is happen.  I like that analogy.  I also once heard this same pastor refer to church as a “majestic mess.”  I like that too!  🙂  Church is not a spic & span clean place all the time.  There are messes.  There are humans on staff with the church – and humans coming to the church.  We are not spic & span clean people all the time.  And that’s okay.  Church is indeed a majestic mess, in the best sense of the word!  Speaking of empty clean stables – let us not forget that our Lord Himself came to this world in a full & messy stable!

Proverbs chapter 14 verse 8 is great wisdom – “The wise look ahead to see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves.”  Jesus taught that we should live our lives not worrying about tomorrow.  However – this Proverb does show there is wisdom in looking ahead to see what is coming.  Don’t worry about it – but pay attention to it!  For example, we shouldn’t deceive ourselves into thinking that we can be reckless with our health today – we should know what this will do to us tomorrow.  We should see what is coming.

Worship Video: Today’s Proverbs remind me of Third Day’s song “You Are Mine:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o-JPkq5rvE

Are you God’s? Click here to be His!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Proverbs 11:1-13:25
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Proverbs chapter 11 verse 2 is so true and is something I personally need to be reminded of constantly – “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  Let us pray for humility… 

We read a powerful Proverb in chapter 11 verse 4 today – “Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living is a safeguard against death.” What are you focusing your life on?  Is right living one of your focuses?  Think it should be?  (right living through your faith in Jesus of course – not “trying” or “working” to live right on your own will or power…) 

Proverbs chapter 11 verse 5 stands out as a powerful reminder to not even tell white lies! “The godly are directed by their honesty.”

Worship Video: Today’s Proverbs remind me of the thought-provoking song “One Life to Love” by 33Miles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuIloWyJNXM

Are you living your One Life to Love? Click here for True Love!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Proverbs 8:1-10:32
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

I love the beginning of Proverbs chapter 8 with the imagery of Wisdom calling out to all humankind!  Do you hear the call of wisdom in your life today??

Today we read in Proverbs chapter 8 verses 10 & 11: “Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can be compared with it.”

Proverbs 8 verse 13 is a powerful look at what Wisdom hates! “That is why I hate pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverted speech.” When you look at your own life – do you hate pride, arrogance, corruption and perverted speech in your own behavior?

Proverbs chapter 8 verse 22 is powerful to consider as it speaks of Wisdom: “The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else.”  If Wisdom was created before anything else, think this lends some credence to intelligent design?  🙂

Proverbs chapter 8 verses 27 through 32 are an incredible look at how wisdom was there as God formed the earth!  And how wisdom is still here today asking us to listen.  Are you listening to the voice of wisdom?  Are you listening to the voice of Truth?

Proverbs chapter 8 verse 36 today tells us – “”But those who miss me have injured themselves. All who hate me love death.””  This is a powerful reminder of why we should seek and love God’s wisdom all of our lives.  Let us not injure ourselves!  Let us not hate wisdom. Let us not love death.

Worship God:  Our readings in Proverbs today reminded me of the Building 429 song “Glory Defined.”  Here’s a great live version of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euFrzV-sids

Do you know our glory defined? Click here for Glory!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Proverbs 5:1-7:27
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today we read in Proverbs chapter 5 verse 6: “For she does not care about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t even realize where it leads.”  For some reason this year, as we’ve been going through the One Year Bible, the idea of “paths” keeps jumping out at me over and over again.  Every time we read about paths now in the Bible, it stands out to me.  And here it does again.  The idea of paths in the Bible seems to clearly indicate that there are good paths – straight paths – paths through the narrow gate – paths of life – that we can choose to take.  Or, unfortunately, there are also crooked trails and we don’t realize where they lead.  Or we can take our eyes off the path.  Or we can stumble on the path.   How about for you?  What type of path are you on these days?  Is it a straight path?  Are you keeping your eyes straight ahead on the path and focused on the prize?  Will you pray to Jesus regularly to keep you on the straight path?  Will you allow God’s Word, the Bible, be a lamp unto your feet and a light on the path of life that you walk each day?

Proverbs chapter 5 verses 12-14 are some sad verses to imagine saying in our lives: “”How I hated discipline! If only I had not demanded my own way! Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to those who gave me instruction? I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.””  Do you love or hate discipline?  Do you demand your own way?  Are you listening to your teachers today?  Who are your teachers today?  Who is disciplining you?  For Whom will you not demand your own way?

Proverbs 5 verses 16 & 17 are powerful true Sex Education verses: “Why spill the water of your springs in public, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Don’t share it with strangers.”  I like this a lot.  Is this something we can teach young adults today?  Is this something we can teach ourselves?  Don’t have sex with just anyone – it is degrading to you.  Don’t share something so holy as sex with just anyone.  Save this holy bond for your spouse.  I once heard a powerful sermon by John Ortberg at Willow Creek Community Church outside of Chicago. And John was preaching on “Don’t Quench the Spirit”.   And it was a powerful sermon on how we are so blessed with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives as followers of Jesus.  And yet, we can quench, temporarily, the power of the Spirit in our life when we sin.  It is basically like turning our back on God when we sin.  And then we need to turn our faces forward again toward God in repentance.  And while we are sinning and turning our back on God, we have effectively quenched the Spirit.  And as I heard this sermon, I realized that sexual sin is one sure-fire quick way to quench the spirit.  We degrade ourselves through sexual sin and I believe we quench the spirit.  I don’t know if this line of thinking will help you at all if you are struggling with sexual sin.  But, it helps me.  It helps me to realize that the quick little temporary highs we think we might get off sexual sin are so not worth it.  What is worth quenching the Spirit in our life??  Is sexual sin?  Nope…  you know it’s not.  Living fully in communion with God and with the Holy Spirit is one of the most amazing things we can possibly experience this side of heaven.  Will you please, please, no longer quench the Spirit for the cheap lies sexual sins sells?

Proverbs chapter 5 verses 22 & 23 are just amazing wisdom for each of us of why we should FLEE from sin… don’t entertain it at all!  “An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his incredible folly.”  Please know that if for some reason you are caught in the ropes of sin, please know that Jesus can truly set you free.  Please pray for this freedom in Christ.  Only in Christ are we truly set free!  Please seek this freedom in Christ with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength.  Don’t die for lack of self-control.  Don’t be lost because of the folly of sin.  Please accept the free gift that Jesus offers you this very day.

Proverbs chapter 6 verses 1 through 5 were intriguing to me.  I guess my first thought was that getting our own selves in debt is bad enough – but then to be a guarantor for our friends debt?  Well, these verses certainly warn against doing this.  Let us avoid debt!

YouTube:  Our readings in Proverbs 5 remind me of Rebecca St. James’ song “Wait for Me:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1thVi6T9rEo

Do you struggle with waiting? Click here and meet the master of patience!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly. “ Proverbs 5:23 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray for discipline in your life.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Proverbs 1:1-4:27
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today we begin the book of Proverbs! The author of the majority of the Proverbs was King Solomon, the son of King David. This means that most of the Proverbs were written in the 10th century B.C. when Israel was a united kingdom. It may be that the Proverbs were not officially compiled together as a book until the 6th century B.C.  Agur son of Jakeh, King Lemuel, and “wisemen” were the other authors of the Proverbs.  Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M., with bible.org has a wonderful Introduction to Proverbs at this link.  Below is an image of King Solomon dictating his wise maxims, the Proverbs:

Today we read in Proverbs chapter 1 verses 2 through 4 a great overview of why we should read and study the Proverbs: “The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people.”  Do you want wisdom?  Do you want discipline in your life?  Do you want to do what is right, just and fair?  Do you want purpose for your life?   Do you believe this journey through the Bible in 2011 will move you forward in these areas?  Will you cling to the wisdom of the Proverbs this year?

Proverbs chapter 1 verse 7 is basically the mission statement for the entire book of Proverbs! “Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.”  What does this proverb say to you?  Do you believe we should fear God?  Bible commentaries define this fear of God as “a loving reverence for God that includes submission to his Lordship and to the commands of his words.”  Do you believe that fear of God is the beginning of knowledge in our lives?  Will you embrace wisdom and discipline in your life?  Will you make wisdom and discipline top priorities in your life in this new year?

Proverbs chapter 1 verses 17 and 18 teach us this today: “When a bird sees a trap being set, it stays away.  But not these people! They set an ambush for themselves; they booby-trap their own lives!” I think these verses basically say that birds are smarter than those who conspire to do harm to others – Are you with me on this thought??  🙂  Speaking of smart birds and one who conspires to do harm to another…:

Proverbs 1:23 is beautiful to think about: “Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.” Do you want the spirit of wisdom this year?  Do you want to be wise?  Do you believe studying the Bible can give you the spirit of wisdom? Will you pray to God for the spirit of wisdom in this new year?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Proverbs titled “The Two Ways” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Our readings in Proverbs 1:8-33 remind me of the Casting Crowns song “Slow Fade:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QASREBVDsLk

Are you on a slow fade? Click here to be rescued!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 NIV

Prayer Point: Based on Proverbs 1:7, will you pray for wisdom and discipline in your life this year?  Will you pray for a healthy and proper fear of the LORD?  Will you pray for knowledge?  Please pray that this year’s Chronological Bible journey will help you grow in all of these areas.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Kings 4:1-34; Psalm 72; Psalm 127
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As we read 1 Kings 4 verses 29, 32 & 33 today, I am reminded that some say Solomon was the last person on earth (well besides Jesus of course) who knew everything there was to know about any and all subject’s of the day – “God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge too vast to be measured. He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.”  Solomon was obviously one wise person.  What do you think the wisest thing about Solomon was?  I think it was this – he was in relationship with God.  That was the #1 wisest decision Solomon ever made.  And it’s the #1 wisest decision you or I could ever make – to be in relationship with God through his son Jesus.  From this wise decision flows all other wisdom in our lives.  But this decision is of primary importance…   Are you as wise as Solomon in this regard?  Does your heart belong to God?

I’ll admit.  I pay attention every single time the Bible talks about serving the poor.  And it is a lot.  And I think it is for a reason.  Here it is again in Psalm 72 verses 12 & 13, speaking about Israel’s king – “He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.”

Verse 20 tells us – “This ends the prayers of David son of Jesse.” And below is a painting of an older King David… perhaps playing a Psalm he wrote…?   

It is interesting to note that Psalm 127 today is written by Solomon.  Think he might have written this around the time of building the temple? It would be very fitting!  Psalm 127 verse 1 I think I heard for the first time verbally a couple of years ago on a Habitat for Humanity job site. Each morning the volunteers would take turns leading devotions before the day’s build. One morning a volunteer read Psalm 127 verse 1 to all of us, which was absolutely fitting for working on a Habitat house – “Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” Great stuff and I believe this verse is not only applicable to working on Habitat houses, but is very applicable in our own lives as well.  Are there things we are building or creating in our life that might be outside of God’s will for our life?  Are we building these things on our own? If so, should we be building these things?  Will we take to prayer all that we build in our lives and seek God’s guidance and blessing upon our work? Is God building our life or are we attempting to build with our own power? Is God protecting our life or are we attempting to protect ourselves with our own power?

Speaking of work, I also love verse 2 in this Psalm 127: “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” Great verse to combat our workaholic tendencies, no?  🙂  Do you overwork yourself these days?  What for?  Is this pleasing to God?  Are you taking a Sabbath day of rest once a week to simply be in relationship with God?  To enjoy God’s rest?

Worship Video:  Our readings in Psalm 72 remind me of the fantastic Third Day song “Revelation:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u0P9kwfF4s

Do you need a Revelation from God? Click here for His Revelation!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” Psalm 127:1 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not doing anything in your life apart from the LORD. Pray that you are allowing God to work through you in all that you do. Pray without ceasing for God’s Spirit to guide your every step.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 8:1-18; 1 Kings 9:15-10:13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12; 1 Kings 10:14-29; 2 Chronicles 9:13-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Second Chronicles chapter 8 we learn that Solomon married the Egyptian Pharaoh’s daughter, which was not pleasing to God and was contrary to God’s Law of not marrying foreigners (in large part because they worshiped foreign gods) as you’ll recall from Deuteronomy 7:3-4.  The Chronicler overall paints a very rosy portrait of both David and Solomon, ignoring many aspects of their sins that we read about in Samuel and Kings.  But, it’s interesting the Chronicler mentioned this marriage. Solomon married likely for a military alliance with Egypt.  Solomon’s marrying of foreign wives ultimately led to his turning his heart away from God, as we read in 1 Kings 11:1-11.  Interestingly, we see that Solomon won’t allow his Egyptian wife to live in David’s palace in verse 11: “Solomon moved his wife, Pharaoh’s daughter, from the City of David to the new palace he had built for her. He said, “My wife must not live in King David’s palace, for the Ark of the LORD has been there, and it is holy ground.””  And so he builds her a brand new palace!  Think Solomon knew something was amiss with this situation before God if he wouldn’t let his Egyptian wife live in David’s palace?  What about us in our lives today – when we sin, do we try to “cover it up” or “build a pretty palace” to maybe try to distract ourselves or God from our sin?  Should we instead just simply confess our sin to God and repent?

At the very end of Second Chronicles chapter 8 today we read these interesting verses 17-18: “Later Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Elath, ports in the land of Edom, along the shore of the Red Sea. Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own officers and manned by experienced crews of sailors. These ships sailed to the land of Ophir with Solomon’s men and brought back to Solomon almost seventeen tons of gold.”  You will see the port of Elath in the 2nd map below.  Then, the big question I had today was where is Ophir?  Well, it turns out that Ophir was likely in the land of “Sheba” from whence Queen Sheba comes to visit Solomon!  So, it is interesting to see how these last 2 verses in chapter 8 lead us to Second Chronicles chapter 9 today where we read about the Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon.  Below is about the best map I could find with the land of Sheba, and Ophir, in comparison to Israel.  The Queen obviously traveled quite a distance in those days to visit Solomon!  And I think we can now understand how she learned of Solomon – he built a fleet of ships and sailed them to her land!

In Second Chronicles chapter 9 we read about Solomon’s wealth and splendor.  I think it is interesting for us to remember that Solomon likely writes the book of Ecclesiastes, which we will read later this year.  Ecclesiastes wisely teaches us that living life for one’s own pleasure and for riches is meaningless – but only living for God makes life worthwhile.  I thought about Ecclesiastes when reading about all of Solomon’s wealth today – and realizing that it would later all by destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar and his army from Babylon.  Solomon’s wealth was yes, impressive.  But Solomon’s sins and the sins of his descendants eventually took all of it away.  Let us never forget that sin kills…  Let us never forget that the wages of sin are death.  Today in Verses 22 through 24 we read – “So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king in all the earth.  Kings from every nation came to visit him and to hear the wisdom God had given him. Year after year, everyone who came to visit brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.”  Below is a painting of Solomon in all of his splendor in “The Queen of Sheba before Solomon” by Nicolas Knupfer, c. 1640:

I do think map’s can often give us a great overview / understanding of what we’re reading about in the Bible.  I think now is a good time to show a good map of Solomon’s Kingdom compared to modern day Israel, below.  Take a few minutes to really study this map and reflect upon places you recognize from today’s readings and previous day’s readings:

Worship Video: Today’s readings in First Kings reminded me of Abandon’s song “Feel it in your Heart:”

Do you feel it in your heart? Click here to have your heart filled!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.” 1 Kings 10:9 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you maintain justice and righteousness in all areas in your life that you influence.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!