SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2009
PSALM 11
2 SAMUEL 6:1-19
1 CORINTHIANS 9:1-23
Man it’s early. But I have to get ready for church. Sounds like it’s going to be another warm day. Why did the weatherman just mention fall like weather?
People say things aren’t black and white. But, where God is concerned, they are. God is the absolute authority. He wants us all to be righteous. He hates the wicked. It’s black and white. What He says goes. Period.
“The Lord tests the righteous.” Don’t we have enough tests? But when the Lord tests, it is to strengthen our faith. And He always gives us a way out. Still, I could use fewer tests.
So, the Ark of the Covenant is finally brought to Jerusalem. But not without some drama. First, Uzzah touches the Ark when an Ox stumbles and he dies and David is angry with God for it. The poor guy was just trying to help. But he is a sinful man and the Ark is holy. Holy and sinful don’t mix.
Finally, the Ark is brought into the City and David is dancing and dancing, but Michal (his former wife, Saul’s daughter) doesn’t like it. Oh, well. All I know is you couldn’t get me to dance either.
David offers sacrifices and shares food with the city. Sounds like a good time. It is definitely a reason to rejoice.
Those poor Corinthians, St. Paul seems to be getting on their case about everything. Paul’s first concern is the preaching of the Gospel and he won’t let anything get in the way of that. So, he meets people at their level as she shares the Gospel with them.
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009
PSALM 24:1-6
2 SAMUEL 7:1-17
1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-10:22
The basis for all Christian stewardship rests in this, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” We just manage and take care of the stuff that God owns. In our offerings, we are just returning to God what belongs to Him. But the second important truth in stewardship is the relationship that exists between God and the steward. The steward is entrusted with all the owner has and owns. It is a very close, personal, and trusted position. We gladly and thankfully return to the Lord what belongs to Him.
In the second lesson for today, we see David wishing to build the temple and the Lord tells him that He doesn’t need it yet. But the Lord takes the opportunity to let David know that His family will reign forever and ever (through our Lord Jesus Christ). David would become THE king of all of Israel, exceeded only by Christ. Christ will not only rule Israel, but all nations and all that is in heaven and the earth.
St. Paul encourages us to run so that we may obtain the prize. To do that, we exercise self-control. As Christians, forgiven by God, we exercise self-control out of thanksgiving for all that Christ has done for us. Technically, we could commit idolatry (and often do, especially during football season) ask for forgiveness and then be on right ground with God again. But because we know the love of God, we try to avoid sin and stay in His good graces because He is our God and we are His people.
I love the section on temptation, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” What a wonderful promise from God. We just need to use the way of escape. When we know we are being tempted, drop to our knees in prayer and ask God for help, via His Holy Spirit and His Holy Angels, asking the tempting evil spirit to depart. Sounds easy, but it’s not. Give it a try this week. It works.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2009
PSALM 107:1-9
2 SAMUEL 7:18-29
1 CORINTHIANS 10:23-11:16
What did you thank God for this morning? I thanked God for my wife and children, my job, my health and much, much more. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” It is good practice for us to thank the Lord every day. While I enjoy Thanksgiving Day as much as the next person, I think it is a shame that we have to schedule a day on a calendar to give thanks to God … giving thanks should be what we do each day because God gives us His blessings each day.
In fact, it’s when we are hungry and thirsty and crying out to the Lord for guidance (verses 5-7) when I think it’s evident that we haven’t been giving thanks to God. That’s when we have been following our own ways and trying to be fulfilled our own ways when we have problems in our lives. Thankfully, our Lord will help us up and lead us back to the straight way and satisfy our longing souls. That’s what He does best, lead us back.
Early in chapter seven of 2 Samuel, God promises to establish David’s house and kingdom forever. How does David respond? By giving thanks to the Lord and throwing himself into prayer. When God does something wonderful for us, our response is prayer. When we need help and are lost our response is prayer. Each and every day, we need to be in contact with God and deep in prayer. We cannot live a strong Christian life and maintain a close relationship with God without prayer. Imagine going two, three, four days without talking to your spouse or children. The relationship will weaken and grow tense. The same thing happens when we don’t keep the lines of communication open with our Lord.
That’s why this Treasury is such an important tool in our lives. We spend time in God’s Word where He talks to us and then we spend time in prayer talking to Him. Do that every day, and you will walk closely with God.
I’m not even going to get into the issues St. Paul raises here in this chapter of 1 Corinthians except to emphasize, “do all to the glory of God.” No matter if we are cooking dinner, putting in eight and ten hour days, watching the kids, shopping, watching the Bear’s win, or going to church, “do all to the glory of God.” Our goal, while doing that, is not to give offense to our neighbor, because if we offend them, how can we win them for the Lord. Then again, our job is just to share the Gospel. It’s up to the Holy Spirit to do the winning. But His task is much easier if we don’t go around offending the very people we share the Gospel with.
It’s going to be a wonderful day. Use it for the Lord.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2009
PSALM 12
2 SAMUEL 11:1-17
1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-34
Do you trust everyone you talk to? It depends on where I’m at. At church, of course, I trust the people I work with and minister to. But out in the world, I’m cautions.
We were at the State Fair on opening day. One of the favorite things we do is go through the big building where they have all the vendors selling their stuff. A few years ago, we bought the ShamWow and use to for washing cars. I’ve also bought a mop there. But it’s fun walking through and listening to what these sales people say. I don’t believe half of what they say. That’s just me.
But, “the words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” We can trust the Lord’s words. When He says we are forgiven, we are forgiven. His Word is faithful and true.
Oh yes, we knew we would get to the David and Bathsheba story. Here we see David at his lowest. He should have been at war with his men rather than walking on the roof watching women take a bath. But no. He sees her. Sleeps with her and kills her husband. This is wrong. Totally wrong. The very last verse here is key, “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”
We should all memorize this section from 1 Corinthians. Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s Supper here is so important. This is a wonderful blessing from the Lord and we need to use it properly. We are receiving Christ’s body and blood, the forgiveness of sin, and eternal life. Used properly, it is a great blessing. There is no greater.
But when someone does not believe, when they don’t think Christ’s body and blood are in the sacrament, when they continue to live an openly unrepentant sinful life, this is not a blessing. Then the Sacrament is received to their judgment. That’s why we teach and educate before letting someone receive the Sacrament with us. We take caution. We don’t want anyone hurt.
Hi PJ,
Alex & I decided that we would spend Weds evenings together as planned doing our own study. Wanted you to know that your blog is going to be an important part for us. This has been an interesting story and lesson for us
on sin, repentance & forgivness. Timeing is of course amazing. God is so awesome as Pernell has come back into his life a few days ago after three years and the boys are having very mixed feelings.
Please keep them in your prayers.
Have a good trip taking Kristen back.
Ruthann & Alex
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2009
PSALM 51:1-8
2 SAMUEL 12:1-25
1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-13
This could be my favorite collection of readings all year! First off, we have the account of Nathan confronting David concerning Bathsheba. His story of the two men and the sheep is just perfect. It details the situation between David and Uriah perfect. David had many wives, why did he have to take Bathsheba as well?
I think those four words in this lesson, “You are the man!” have to be the four scariest words in the Bible. Those words could be said of us each and every day. We sin every day and for the most part our sin goes by undetected. Can you imagine if we had someone confront us with each sin by saying and pointing out, “You are the man!” (insert woman if that applies)?
But the other thing I like about this text is David’s response. He is truly remorseful. He is truly sorry for his sin. We see that in Psalm 51. David wrote Psalm 51 in response to this whole situation. He was really and truly sorry for his sin. That’s what makes Psalm 51 one of the greatest Psalms in the Bible. We should read and pray Psalm 51 each and every day as part of our daily practice of confession and absolution.
The account of David’s fasting during the seven days of his child’s illness is again, a sign of faithfulness and trust in the Lord. It really does put things in perspective for us. While someone is alive, we can and should do wherever it takes, prayer, fasting, whatever. But once they are gone, they are gone and there is nothing we can do. That’s why we pray for the families of the deceased and not the deceased. All these lessons for today are just awesome.
That holds true for the New Testament reading for today as well. We don’t focus too much on Spiritual gifts in the Lutheran Church because we are so afraid of the charismatic movement after all these years. They the facts are true. 1) Our Lord gives each Christian a Spiritual gift. 2) That gift is to be used for the common good of the church. 3) The same Spirit gives these varying gifts. 4) These gifts are worthless if not used and motivated by love (I Cor. 13).
Well, so far it’s been a wonderful day. We will see where the Lord takes it.
It is absolutely amazing how our Lord created and put us together. Just take one of our many parts and reflect on how amazing the human eye is how we can go from looking close up at a scratch on our hand and look up and instantly focus on the house across the street … my camera can’t do that (and it’s an expensive one). We are wonderfully made. There is no way we could have evolved. We were wonderfully created by God.
When I was in college, majoring in psychology, one required class was child psychology. Naturally the class begins with pre-natal care and conception. For the first two or three weeks of class we discussed the various diseases and situations that could result before birth and most of us agreed that it was a miracle that any one of us was born. Our Lord IS an awesome God.
So we jump from David and Bathsheba to an old David and Solomon’s reign. If you look at the stuff we skipped, Amnon and Tamar, Absalom’s Conspiracy and more, you get the impression that David was not necessarily a good father. At least his kids didn’t turn out too well. But we skip all that and jump to David in His Old Age and Abishag who would keep the King warm. Good thing we have electric blankets these days.
Adonijah sets himself up as king. But David deals with the situation by anointing Solomon. I find it strange that it no where says that David or Nathan consult God in deciding who would replace David. I would think that someone would have done that. But maybe we skipped that. In any case, Solomon is set up as king and I’m sure it will not go smoothly.
It is very true, if one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. If one part of the church suffers, the whole church suffers. As the body of Christ, we share one another’s burdens. I was so impressed at Roger Houle’s funeral. He was a founder of Veterans of America Motorcycle Club and bikers from all over came for the viewing and the funeral. I was amazed at how much they supported one another and comforted one another and respected each other. I’d love to see our church support one another as much as they did. But that’s what the body of Christ does, work together and support one another.
By the way, you may have noticed I’m writing these ahead. For once I’m planning ahead. We are taking Kristen back to school this weekend and I wanted to be sure to get these posted before we left. It’s going to be a long, busy and sad weekend. So I thought I’d better get this done ahead of time.
This time of the year each year I wish I lived further away from the city. During August we run through a meteor shower so you can go sit up on the roof of your house and see shooting stars left and right. But since we live too close to city lights, the shower is less than dramatic. “The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.”
And to all you Brett Farve (I know, I’m typing his name the way it sounds and not the correct way, just because I can) worshippers, go purchase your purple number four shirts and watch those Vikings, but I will worship the one true God who won’t throw and interception and take us through the whole, am I going to retire or not again next year. My God never retires. My God doesn’t travel from team to team. My God never changes. He is God forever.
If you love God, you have to hate evil. Our Lord is with us and all the time and keeps us out of trouble. Stay away from evil. Don’t even be tempted.
David dies and Solomon takes over as King. The way it reads in the Bible it sounds like he becomes King and immediately starts putting people to death. I doubt that it worked that way, but it sounds that way. Why Solomon doesn’t just banish his brother the way he did Abiathar, I don’t know? How you could kill your brother, I have no clue? Course, not having a brother, I don’t understand. But the Lord is with Solomon and Solomon is wise, so I will trust that what he does at this point is good and right.
Oh yes, now we get the text most read at weddings. How much we love to talk about love! But so many have a false impression of love. So many treat love like an emotion that comes and goes. That’s why we have a hard time with commands to love our enemy. How can I feel anything positive about my enemy, someone who has done bad things to me? Look at this text again, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” That’s the part I want to impress upon couples getting married. Love never ends.
See, love is not primarily an emotion. Love is a way of acting towards someone. We are patient with someone we love. We are kind to someone we love. We do not envy or boast to someone we love. We are not arrogant or rude to someone we love. We treat those we love in a positive way and the feelings of love come later. But so many couples stop acting in a loving way towards their spouse and wonder where the feelings went. Dah! Start treating your spouse with love and respect again and the feelings will come back again. It really is simple as that.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2009
PSALM 11
2 SAMUEL 6:1-19
1 CORINTHIANS 9:1-23
Man it’s early. But I have to get ready for church. Sounds like it’s going to be another warm day. Why did the weatherman just mention fall like weather?
People say things aren’t black and white. But, where God is concerned, they are. God is the absolute authority. He wants us all to be righteous. He hates the wicked. It’s black and white. What He says goes. Period.
“The Lord tests the righteous.” Don’t we have enough tests? But when the Lord tests, it is to strengthen our faith. And He always gives us a way out. Still, I could use fewer tests.
So, the Ark of the Covenant is finally brought to Jerusalem. But not without some drama. First, Uzzah touches the Ark when an Ox stumbles and he dies and David is angry with God for it. The poor guy was just trying to help. But he is a sinful man and the Ark is holy. Holy and sinful don’t mix.
Finally, the Ark is brought into the City and David is dancing and dancing, but Michal (his former wife, Saul’s daughter) doesn’t like it. Oh, well. All I know is you couldn’t get me to dance either.
David offers sacrifices and shares food with the city. Sounds like a good time. It is definitely a reason to rejoice.
Those poor Corinthians, St. Paul seems to be getting on their case about everything. Paul’s first concern is the preaching of the Gospel and he won’t let anything get in the way of that. So, he meets people at their level as she shares the Gospel with them.
Well, time to head to church. Have a great day.
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009
PSALM 24:1-6
2 SAMUEL 7:1-17
1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-10:22
The basis for all Christian stewardship rests in this, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” We just manage and take care of the stuff that God owns. In our offerings, we are just returning to God what belongs to Him. But the second important truth in stewardship is the relationship that exists between God and the steward. The steward is entrusted with all the owner has and owns. It is a very close, personal, and trusted position. We gladly and thankfully return to the Lord what belongs to Him.
In the second lesson for today, we see David wishing to build the temple and the Lord tells him that He doesn’t need it yet. But the Lord takes the opportunity to let David know that His family will reign forever and ever (through our Lord Jesus Christ). David would become THE king of all of Israel, exceeded only by Christ. Christ will not only rule Israel, but all nations and all that is in heaven and the earth.
St. Paul encourages us to run so that we may obtain the prize. To do that, we exercise self-control. As Christians, forgiven by God, we exercise self-control out of thanksgiving for all that Christ has done for us. Technically, we could commit idolatry (and often do, especially during football season) ask for forgiveness and then be on right ground with God again. But because we know the love of God, we try to avoid sin and stay in His good graces because He is our God and we are His people.
I love the section on temptation, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” What a wonderful promise from God. We just need to use the way of escape. When we know we are being tempted, drop to our knees in prayer and ask God for help, via His Holy Spirit and His Holy Angels, asking the tempting evil spirit to depart. Sounds easy, but it’s not. Give it a try this week. It works.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2009
PSALM 107:1-9
2 SAMUEL 7:18-29
1 CORINTHIANS 10:23-11:16
What did you thank God for this morning? I thanked God for my wife and children, my job, my health and much, much more. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” It is good practice for us to thank the Lord every day. While I enjoy Thanksgiving Day as much as the next person, I think it is a shame that we have to schedule a day on a calendar to give thanks to God … giving thanks should be what we do each day because God gives us His blessings each day.
In fact, it’s when we are hungry and thirsty and crying out to the Lord for guidance (verses 5-7) when I think it’s evident that we haven’t been giving thanks to God. That’s when we have been following our own ways and trying to be fulfilled our own ways when we have problems in our lives. Thankfully, our Lord will help us up and lead us back to the straight way and satisfy our longing souls. That’s what He does best, lead us back.
Early in chapter seven of 2 Samuel, God promises to establish David’s house and kingdom forever. How does David respond? By giving thanks to the Lord and throwing himself into prayer. When God does something wonderful for us, our response is prayer. When we need help and are lost our response is prayer. Each and every day, we need to be in contact with God and deep in prayer. We cannot live a strong Christian life and maintain a close relationship with God without prayer. Imagine going two, three, four days without talking to your spouse or children. The relationship will weaken and grow tense. The same thing happens when we don’t keep the lines of communication open with our Lord.
That’s why this Treasury is such an important tool in our lives. We spend time in God’s Word where He talks to us and then we spend time in prayer talking to Him. Do that every day, and you will walk closely with God.
I’m not even going to get into the issues St. Paul raises here in this chapter of 1 Corinthians except to emphasize, “do all to the glory of God.” No matter if we are cooking dinner, putting in eight and ten hour days, watching the kids, shopping, watching the Bear’s win, or going to church, “do all to the glory of God.” Our goal, while doing that, is not to give offense to our neighbor, because if we offend them, how can we win them for the Lord. Then again, our job is just to share the Gospel. It’s up to the Holy Spirit to do the winning. But His task is much easier if we don’t go around offending the very people we share the Gospel with.
It’s going to be a wonderful day. Use it for the Lord.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2009
PSALM 12
2 SAMUEL 11:1-17
1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-34
Do you trust everyone you talk to? It depends on where I’m at. At church, of course, I trust the people I work with and minister to. But out in the world, I’m cautions.
We were at the State Fair on opening day. One of the favorite things we do is go through the big building where they have all the vendors selling their stuff. A few years ago, we bought the ShamWow and use to for washing cars. I’ve also bought a mop there. But it’s fun walking through and listening to what these sales people say. I don’t believe half of what they say. That’s just me.
But, “the words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” We can trust the Lord’s words. When He says we are forgiven, we are forgiven. His Word is faithful and true.
Oh yes, we knew we would get to the David and Bathsheba story. Here we see David at his lowest. He should have been at war with his men rather than walking on the roof watching women take a bath. But no. He sees her. Sleeps with her and kills her husband. This is wrong. Totally wrong. The very last verse here is key, “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”
We should all memorize this section from 1 Corinthians. Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s Supper here is so important. This is a wonderful blessing from the Lord and we need to use it properly. We are receiving Christ’s body and blood, the forgiveness of sin, and eternal life. Used properly, it is a great blessing. There is no greater.
But when someone does not believe, when they don’t think Christ’s body and blood are in the sacrament, when they continue to live an openly unrepentant sinful life, this is not a blessing. Then the Sacrament is received to their judgment. That’s why we teach and educate before letting someone receive the Sacrament with us. We take caution. We don’t want anyone hurt.
Hi PJ,
Alex & I decided that we would spend Weds evenings together as planned doing our own study. Wanted you to know that your blog is going to be an important part for us. This has been an interesting story and lesson for us
on sin, repentance & forgivness. Timeing is of course amazing. God is so awesome as Pernell has come back into his life a few days ago after three years and the boys are having very mixed feelings.
Please keep them in your prayers.
Have a good trip taking Kristen back.
Ruthann & Alex
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2009
PSALM 51:1-8
2 SAMUEL 12:1-25
1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-13
This could be my favorite collection of readings all year! First off, we have the account of Nathan confronting David concerning Bathsheba. His story of the two men and the sheep is just perfect. It details the situation between David and Uriah perfect. David had many wives, why did he have to take Bathsheba as well?
I think those four words in this lesson, “You are the man!” have to be the four scariest words in the Bible. Those words could be said of us each and every day. We sin every day and for the most part our sin goes by undetected. Can you imagine if we had someone confront us with each sin by saying and pointing out, “You are the man!” (insert woman if that applies)?
But the other thing I like about this text is David’s response. He is truly remorseful. He is truly sorry for his sin. We see that in Psalm 51. David wrote Psalm 51 in response to this whole situation. He was really and truly sorry for his sin. That’s what makes Psalm 51 one of the greatest Psalms in the Bible. We should read and pray Psalm 51 each and every day as part of our daily practice of confession and absolution.
The account of David’s fasting during the seven days of his child’s illness is again, a sign of faithfulness and trust in the Lord. It really does put things in perspective for us. While someone is alive, we can and should do wherever it takes, prayer, fasting, whatever. But once they are gone, they are gone and there is nothing we can do. That’s why we pray for the families of the deceased and not the deceased. All these lessons for today are just awesome.
That holds true for the New Testament reading for today as well. We don’t focus too much on Spiritual gifts in the Lutheran Church because we are so afraid of the charismatic movement after all these years. They the facts are true. 1) Our Lord gives each Christian a Spiritual gift. 2) That gift is to be used for the common good of the church. 3) The same Spirit gives these varying gifts. 4) These gifts are worthless if not used and motivated by love (I Cor. 13).
Well, so far it’s been a wonderful day. We will see where the Lord takes it.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2009
PSALM 139:13-16, 23-24
1 KINGS 1:1-4, 15-35
1 CORINTHIANS 12:14-31
It is absolutely amazing how our Lord created and put us together. Just take one of our many parts and reflect on how amazing the human eye is how we can go from looking close up at a scratch on our hand and look up and instantly focus on the house across the street … my camera can’t do that (and it’s an expensive one). We are wonderfully made. There is no way we could have evolved. We were wonderfully created by God.
When I was in college, majoring in psychology, one required class was child psychology. Naturally the class begins with pre-natal care and conception. For the first two or three weeks of class we discussed the various diseases and situations that could result before birth and most of us agreed that it was a miracle that any one of us was born. Our Lord IS an awesome God.
So we jump from David and Bathsheba to an old David and Solomon’s reign. If you look at the stuff we skipped, Amnon and Tamar, Absalom’s Conspiracy and more, you get the impression that David was not necessarily a good father. At least his kids didn’t turn out too well. But we skip all that and jump to David in His Old Age and Abishag who would keep the King warm. Good thing we have electric blankets these days.
Adonijah sets himself up as king. But David deals with the situation by anointing Solomon. I find it strange that it no where says that David or Nathan consult God in deciding who would replace David. I would think that someone would have done that. But maybe we skipped that. In any case, Solomon is set up as king and I’m sure it will not go smoothly.
It is very true, if one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. If one part of the church suffers, the whole church suffers. As the body of Christ, we share one another’s burdens. I was so impressed at Roger Houle’s funeral. He was a founder of Veterans of America Motorcycle Club and bikers from all over came for the viewing and the funeral. I was amazed at how much they supported one another and comforted one another and respected each other. I’d love to see our church support one another as much as they did. But that’s what the body of Christ does, work together and support one another.
By the way, you may have noticed I’m writing these ahead. For once I’m planning ahead. We are taking Kristen back to school this weekend and I wanted to be sure to get these posted before we left. It’s going to be a long, busy and sad weekend. So I thought I’d better get this done ahead of time.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2009
PSALM 97:6-12
1 KINGS 2:1-27
1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13
This time of the year each year I wish I lived further away from the city. During August we run through a meteor shower so you can go sit up on the roof of your house and see shooting stars left and right. But since we live too close to city lights, the shower is less than dramatic. “The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.”
And to all you Brett Farve (I know, I’m typing his name the way it sounds and not the correct way, just because I can) worshippers, go purchase your purple number four shirts and watch those Vikings, but I will worship the one true God who won’t throw and interception and take us through the whole, am I going to retire or not again next year. My God never retires. My God doesn’t travel from team to team. My God never changes. He is God forever.
If you love God, you have to hate evil. Our Lord is with us and all the time and keeps us out of trouble. Stay away from evil. Don’t even be tempted.
David dies and Solomon takes over as King. The way it reads in the Bible it sounds like he becomes King and immediately starts putting people to death. I doubt that it worked that way, but it sounds that way. Why Solomon doesn’t just banish his brother the way he did Abiathar, I don’t know? How you could kill your brother, I have no clue? Course, not having a brother, I don’t understand. But the Lord is with Solomon and Solomon is wise, so I will trust that what he does at this point is good and right.
Oh yes, now we get the text most read at weddings. How much we love to talk about love! But so many have a false impression of love. So many treat love like an emotion that comes and goes. That’s why we have a hard time with commands to love our enemy. How can I feel anything positive about my enemy, someone who has done bad things to me? Look at this text again, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” That’s the part I want to impress upon couples getting married. Love never ends.
See, love is not primarily an emotion. Love is a way of acting towards someone. We are patient with someone we love. We are kind to someone we love. We do not envy or boast to someone we love. We are not arrogant or rude to someone we love. We treat those we love in a positive way and the feelings of love come later. But so many couples stop acting in a loving way towards their spouse and wonder where the feelings went. Dah! Start treating your spouse with love and respect again and the feelings will come back again. It really is simple as that.