Forest Hill Bible Reading Plan

The Post (Week 17: Esther 1-7)

2010-04-29T11:45:00.000-04:00

Home Runs with Broken Bats

One of the worship leaders on our staff, Andy Cherry, recently said in a meeting, �God loves to hit home runs with broken bats.� He was specifically referencing the story of Mary and Joseph. A teenage girl, pregnant, out of wedlock and the scandal of the small village looks like a very vulnerable and broken vehicle for God to bring the Savior of the World in, but He did. That is a home run with a broken bat. (For accounts of the most strike outs with broken bats look up the history of the Chicago Cubs.)

The story of Esther is a similar picture with a similar outcome. Esther is a young Jewish Queen with a price over her head as well as all of her people. She is in a culture where the last Queen was removed for refusing to dance! She is skating on thin ice because no one, but her Uncle, knows she is a Jew. She is about to take on the power brokers of Persia and try to rescue the lot. Sounds like a broken bat!

Now, let�s look at what her uncle says as he calls her to take the challenge of rescue:

�If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your Fathers� house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the Kingdom for such a time as this.� (Esther 4:14-15)

This is one of most amazing verses on the Sovereignty of God and the free will of a woman coming together.

The storyline is in God�s control and He will rescue the Jews. The genealogy depends on it. If the Jews do not stay in existence at this time there will be no Messiah. This will end the promise that God has made, and He will not allow that to happen. But, God allows Esther to actually play a hand in the rescue of her people and in our redemptive future. What a wonderful offer.

So, if today you are feeling like you are broken and not sure what you can add to the story, know that the same kind of offer is given to you today. You can see where God is working, pray for Him to reveal an opportunity and jump in on the redemptive history of your family, your neighborhood and even in the world. It�s always before you if you are willing and watching for the next turn at bat.

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip #17)

Note: This section is help for Bible Reading in general. It has been building throughout the year under the topics of Observation (what the Scripture says), Interpretation (what it means) and Application (what it means to your life). Feel free to look back over past weeks to get the whole picture.

Have you ever wondered what people write in their journals? One popular discipline that many Christians have in their time with God is journaling�but what does that mean. It may mean writing out prayers, or processing emotions through writing, but you can also use your journal to take notes about what you are reading in your Bible Study. I think it�s funny how I can believe that somehow I am going to remember what I am learning without writing it down and taking notes. For years I would not take the time to write out my thoughts about the chapters I was reading because I had a notion God would somehow make it stick since it was from Him. Now, I call that a shortcut and, to be honest, laziness on my part. The truth is, just like taking notes on your science reading so that you remember what you read, there is an appropriate time for taking notes on the Bible.

One way you can take notes is to spend some time summarizing what you have read. In other words, when you get done with a book of the Bible put it all together.

Here are a few helpful tips from Howard Hendricks in �Living by the Book.�

� While you are studying through the book assign titles to paragraphs or chapters. Be creative and make them your own, not just the titles already written in the Bible you are using. This will help you retain your insights in neat packages.

� Create a chart using all these titles you have been writing. Keep the charts simple. You can always add more detail later when you study the book again. The challenge is to clear away clutter.

� Just write the big ideas, the key characters to start with. Esther is an easy book to chart because it is a narrative with three different movements. See if you can title them creativity.

Next week Jeremiah will be harder to chart, but I think it will help to understand its twists and turns. I will give you a couple more tips in this area next week.

Notes from David�s Journal

One of the most amazing facts of history is the hatred of people toward the Jews. On several different occasions, the most recent being Hitler in World War II, leaders have tried to completely eliminate the Jews from the face of the earth. There is no other race of people on the face of the earth that has had to face repeated attempts of genocide!

The book of Esther describes one of those attempts. The attempt is authored by an evil man named Haman. We really don�t know exactly why Haman wanted to kill the Jews in the Captivity. Part of it was most assuredly jealousy of some positions held by Jews in the Persian court. I would also surmise that most of it had to do with the evil one in the dark, spiritual world, who knew it would be through the Jews that God would bring His Son, Jesus, into the world. He knew that through Jesus sins would be forgiven and the assurance of God�s ultimate victory over evil would be shown and given to all humanity. Therefore, the devil would stop at nothing to try and eliminate God�s Chosen from the face of the earth.

Esther is a Jewess who become queen of Persia. She is deeply loved and respected by the King. She is also a woman of extreme courage who loves her people. She realizes the plot of Haman and also realizes she alone is the one whom God is calling to save her people.

The story in the book of Esther reads like a Dan Brown novel, filled with strategy and intrigue. From page to page you wonder what is going to happen! I hope you read it with enjoyment like you would a novel.

However, as you read it, don�t miss the book�s primary message: the courage of a Godly woman. She knew this truth: �If you don�t have something to die for, you don�t have anything to live for.� She was willing to die for her faith. She was willing to die trying to help her people survive!

By the way, some early Jewish fathers did not think Esther should be included in the Old Testament canon. Why? Because, �God� is not actually mentioned. However, it eventually was. Why? Because, even though God�s name isn�t actually mentioned, you see His divine design, His hand working constantly behind the scenes in the story. You see faith guiding the major characters lives and actions. God is present, even though His name isn�t necessarily mentioned.

Enjoy the story! It�s a terrific testimony to God�s faithfulness. And remember this: one of the major reasons we should believe in God is the continued existence of God�s people throughout the ages!

The Post (Week 16 Nehemiah 5-13)

2010-04-27T15:52:00.001-04:00

Learn from Nehemiah and lead well

A while back we showed a video clip during a weekend service from the movie Braveheart. The movie is based on the life of Sir William Wallace, who was a Scottish Knight and is known for leading a resistance during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Today William Wallace is remembered in Scotland as a patriot and national hero. I think what is compelling about his story is bravery and compassion, honestly and humility, all rolled into one man.

This is the same with Nehemiah. Look at these passages that exemplify his characteristics. �I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, �You are exacting interest each from his brother�� (vs. 5:7). It takes courage to challenge corruption and it takes compassion to do it for the sake of those who need help. Isn�t this like Christ in the temple in John 2? He challenged the religious leaders who were making profits and keeping the outsiders from being able to enter the temple and worship God.

Next let�s look at the honesty and humility of Nehemiah when he refuses to take an extra pay that he could have had from the Governor�s table. �Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah from the twentieth year to the thirty second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I not my brother at the food allowance of the governor� (vs. 5:14). Nehemiah was leading from principle and presence. He was in the midst of the community as one of them. This is another picture of Christ, leaving the splendor of heaven to become one of us on earth.

There are many more great and godly leadership characteristics Nehemiah had that I have no more room to comment on. But, the last word I will add is that godly leadership eventually gets the community to the place where they say with one voice, �We will not neglect the house of our God � (vs. 10:39).

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip #16)

A Simple Question:

As we continue to study the leadership of Nehemiah, we can see a simple pattern he uses. He likes to ask questions. �Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God�? (Vs. 5:9) �Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?� (Vs. 6:3) �Should a man such as I run away?� (Vs. 6:11)

The question is one of the most powerful tools of communication. If I ask you a question, doesn�t it more or less force you to think? Nehemiah uses this tactic to engage the people and encourage them to discover the answers. These important questions lead us to consider how we approach God.

Do we take grace for granted? Do we abuse God�s gift and live for ourselves? Or, do we stand in awe of the work of Jesus on the cross that gives us the stamp of RIGHTEOUS before God. Because of this awe, we are called to live a life of gratitude devoted to the One who did the work for us.

As you read the book of Nehemiah pause when the author asks a question. Try to answer it for yourself before you move on. You can learn a lot about what you really believe when you let his questions penetrate your soul.

Notes from David�s Journal

After the wall is completed, Nehemiah has the problem of �sustainability� (as all leaders do - we succeed in something, then need to find ways to sustain the vision over time).

What does he do?

- He registers the people. He wants to know exactly whom he has �on his team.� They are then given their places in the land, their new homes. He knew people needed a place to call their own. From there they will continue to give Nehemiah and God their best work.

- He had Ezra reestablish Temple worship. This was brilliant. What could unite the people? Their common faith in God and their worship of Him. Nehemiah knew the importance of unity and worship in the Temple in Jerusalem was the pathway to that unity.

- He had Ezra read the Word of God. Nehemiah knew that the centrality of God�s Word had to be present for the people to have a moral consensus...this is necessary for a society to continue to address what is holy and pure and what is unholy and impure.

- He had the people confess their sins. This was like a sign of a new beginning for them all!

- He had them sign a covenant agreement, committing themselves to obedience to God in every way, especially in reestablishing the tithe to the Temple. Why was this important? For the Jew, the tithe represented the first fruit to God, giving God our best. Without this, how could they expect God�s blessing?

- He called the priests to purity in their spiritual leadership. He got rid of any who didn�t have a complete and wholehearted passion for God first. How could the people be spiritually pure unless the priests did so?

- He called the families to spiritual purity and maturity, for he knew that unless the family worked as God intended the nation could not operate as God intended, fathers loving mothers and vice versa, children and their spiritual growth as a high priority, especially the Dad�s being the spiritual leaders of their homes.

Then, and only then, did Israel have the hope of restoration, not only to the land but to God Himself. This was Nehemiah�s heart, as he ends the book with this prayer: �Remember this in my favor, O my God.� His greatest desire was to please God.

May this be our major desire too!

The Post (Week 15 Ezra 8-10 and Nehemiah 1-4)

2010-04-27T15:22:00.000-04:00

Before you move, PRAY

The first time Janet and I ever skied we were leading a group of 50 teenagers down the slopes. I remember trying to teach a bunch of the kids to ski the day I learned as well. I tend to be the kind of person that gets a little of the instructions, then moves and sees what happens. (My lovely wife however got the instructions well and as a result didn�t fall 42 times that weekend.)

The point is, this is the same way I approach God and His plans for my life. I get a little bit of the marching orders and then run ahead and ask God to bless the rest I am guessing at. I don�t slow down very well and listen. That�s why this section of reading is so helpful for me. Ezra and Nehemiah both pray before they move. Look at Nehemiah 1: 3-4, �They said to me�The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire. As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.�

What Nehemiah prays is both very humble and very practical. He begins by ADORING GOD. He describes him as Great and Awesome, a keeper of the Covenant and a steadfast lover (vs. 5). After that, he CONFESSES both his sins and the people�s sins. �We have acted corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments�� (vs. 6-7). I note this as humble because some of the offenses he confesses are the people�s sins and not Nehemiah�s. Yet he confesses them as his own. How humble and empathetic. (A beautiful picture of our Savior by the way, taking our sins on his own body.) He closes with THANKSGIVING and SUPPLICATION. �Give success to your servant today�(vs. 10-11).

It would be a great plan for me to slow up each day and pray through this template and let God move my heart this toward His plans. Shalom.

Tips for Reading- (Observation tip # 15)

We are getting down to the end of our observation section of Bible study. Next stop in three weeks will be Interpretation. It might be a good time to go back over what you have learned and put them on an index card in bullet form so that as you go to the next part you take Observation with you.

Okay, here�s the next tip: look for things that are emphasized. I have been leading you to this in the above section because of the emphasis on prayer. Ezra�s prayer is very insightful to how God views our identity as the people of God and our calling to live it out in our homes. As we studied, Nehemiah prays about the future calling of the city God has chosen. What does these emphases say about God�s priority for our lives?

Write down what you think it says about your schedule and what�s important. How are we called to live in light of these truths?

Notes from David�s Journal

Nehemiah is my favorite example of leadership in the Bible. You see every aspect of Godly, spiritual leadership in this man�s life. It�s exemplary for our lives today, no matter who or where we may be leading.

In the first four chapters of Nehemiah, please note the background. Nehemiah is in Persia (the Persians having overtaken the Babylonians during Nehemiah�s time in captivity). He is the cupbearer to the king of Persia. Basically, this means he ate and drank everything before the king did to make sure the king�s food and drinks were not poisoned! Needless to say, he held a very important position in the king�s court, one that demanded total loyalty and commitment to the king. He was a trusted employee.

We see in Nehemiah what God wants in a leader. As you read these chapters, note how his leadership begins to unfold:

- He sees a vision of the broken down walls in Jerusalem (from the Babylonian destruction of the Temple and the walls in 586). He yearns to return to his homeland but he knows that unless these walls are rebuilt Jerusalem will be forever vulnerable to outside foes. That�s when God gives him the most important beginning point for leadership: a VISION - something that can be painted in words to motivate people to action.

- Then he prays. Every great spiritual vision is saturated in prayer. In this time, I think Nehemiah gets God�s �go for it!�

- Then he goes to the king and asks permission to leave and accomplish this call. This is COURAGE, for the king could very well have said �no,� plus have him killed immediately for insurrection! But, he still went and asked for permission to leave. What was the king�s response? He not only said �yes,� but gave him the lumber necessary and the armed guard for the 800 mile journey back to Jerusalem. It�s Ephesians 3:20 (you have to look this verse up, but it�s one of my life verses).

- He then rallies the people around his vision. They enthusiastically endorse the call, I think, especially when Nehemiah says, �Let US rebuild the walls.� The leader was willing to move ahead WITH the people.

- He stood firm against his critics, Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem the Arab. Great visions always have critics. But Nehemiah would not let the critics stop the call!

- He refused to come down from the wall when tempted by smaller issues. He kept focused on what God had called him to do.

The wall is completed in a short time period. Nehemiah succeeded in what God called him to do.

These are great leadership principles, still true today. That shouldn�t surprise us. It�s God�s Word. It�s true yesterday, today and tomorrow. For all of us leaders who want to succeed, Nehemiah�s life is one to emulate!

The Post (Week 14: Ezra 1-7)

2010-04-27T11:35:00.001-04:00

One Story

I went to see the Lord of the Rings with my family a few years back. We all read the books and were so excited to see the first installment, �Fellowship of the Ring.� At the end of the movie we were left hanging in the middle of the adventures because there are still two long movies to go. But, if you didn�t know that, you might respond like someone in the audience did and yell out, �what a terrible ending.� My family just laughed, because we knew all three books were really just one long book.

In the same way, when you get to the end of books in the Bible, you might be tempted to say the same thing if you forget that the whole Bible is one book. For example, Acts leaves us in the middle of the story of the early church, where we�re not sure what happened to Peter and Paul.

In Isaiah, which we just finished, Isaiah seems to leave us in the future, while the people of God are in captivity. And, our reading in Ezra this week will help us out with that. The beginning of Ezra follows a timeline right after the period Isaiah was describing. It is like literally reading extra chapters in II Chronicles (which is probably written by the same author) or in II Kings (which covers the same period).

The book of Ezra begins with the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah 25, �In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing.� (Ezra 1:1)

Historically, the Persians conquered the Babylonians and let many national groups captured by the Babylonians free. This included the Jews. But the point is that God�s hand was in it, so that the date was exactly what God had predicted 70 years before. (First exiles left in 605 BC and the return date here is 535 BC. By the way, there is also 70 years from the last captive leaving Jerusalem in 586 BC and the temple being completed in 516.)

One last note, I love the celebration in Chapter 3: �They began to sing responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord. For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.� (3:11)

If you see the work of God as one story, you can see a bigger picture of God�s faithfulness throughout the generations. How can you see this truth in your story today?

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip # 14)

I recently watched the movie �Be Kind, Rewind� (very funny by the way), and the one thing that jumped out to me was their creativity. The characters in the movie basically retold 10-15 classic movies in their own way. It had me thinking that we if we approached the Bible in the same way the stories would jump off the page. For example, as you read through Ezra try to picture the stories from the Old Testament that this book is connected to.

What are your feelings as the Scriptures connect to each other? How does that connect to our story?

A few other ways to get creative is to read the chapters in different translations and look for the differences. Or, read one of the chapters aloud to yourself or somebody else. One of the chapters in Ezra is really like a mini sermon, so you could read it as such. What jumps out as you hear it?

Recently, I heard a pastor speaking and he simply read through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and sat down immediately afterwards. It was very moving.

Here�s one more that might be a real challenge; write a paraphrase of a story from your reading this week. Write it down in your own words. Then you can really see what you notice and understand and what you do not.

Notes from David�s Journal

While in captivity, many of the Jews longed to return home. Their hearts yearned for the �Promised Land,� the land they thought God had given them.

But, they knew two things had to happen. Two very important items needed to be reconstructed before they could go home.

First, they knew the walls around the city of Jerusalem needed to be rebuilt. Every city needs protection from outside enemies in that day. Jerusalem�s walls had been destroyed when Babylon took some Jews away in the Captivity in 586 B.C. Who would be called by God to rebuild the walls? The answer, Biblically, is Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a man raised up by God in the Captivity to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls around the Holy City, the city of David. You�ll soon read this book in our �through the Bible� reading plan.

Second, the Jews in the Captivity knew the Temple had to be rebuilt. It too had been destroyed when Jerusalem was overthrown by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Why did it need to be rebuilt? Because, just as the walls protected the city realistically, the Temple protected the city spiritually. It�s where the people gathered to worship God, commit their lives to Him daily and regularly. Without this central, focal point of all spiritual and religious activity the Jews in the Captivity knew something essential would be missing.

The Book Ezra is the story of the person, Ezra, who God raised up to return to the homeland and rebuilt the Temple. It�s an exhilarating story of reprioritizing the purpose of worship. It�s the story of people standing for hours just to hear God�s Word! It�s the story of a people examining their hearts for places of sin and asking God for forgiveness and repentance.

As you read these first seven chapters of Ezra, look for keys to spiritual renewal, personally and nationally. They were relevant then. They are really relevant today, in our nation, as we stand on the crossroads of a nation that is becoming increasingly secular.

I hope you enjoy reading Ezra (and Nehemiah). They are two of my favorite Old Testament stories!

The Post (Week 13: Isaiah 60-66)

2010-04-27T11:34:00.000-04:00

What�s my line?

Remember the show �What's My Line?� It was a weekly panel game show, which ran from 1950 to 1967, and the point was to guess the unusual occupations of contestants. The rules of the game required panelists to probe by only asking questions, which could be answered "yes" or "no." It is the longest-running game show in the history of prime time network television and my grandmother loved it, so we watched it a lot.

This last section of Isaiah reminds me of that show, mainly because Isaiah is writing in character as someone else. �The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord�s favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes.� (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Isaiah has said throughout the book that the Spirit of the Lord will rest in peculiar measure on the Messiah, so this must be the One who is being pictured. But, 700 years later, a carpenter picked up the Isaiah scroll from His synagogue in Nazareth and read these lines (Luke 4), and then told the congregation that all of this applied to Him. He explained that His �line� was the role of the Messiah, only then did we know whom it was.

The story keeps getting better because, even though He began the work He has listed here, He has not completed it. The year of the Lord�s favor, or Jubilee, when all things will be restored to their original state (which Romans 8 says all creation is groaning for) has not occurred yet. It is still in our future, and very much worth waiting for.

�Don�t see to be like Christ as much as to be with him.�

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip #13)

The Proverbs can be a little hard to read if you read them all together in a row. There are a lot of them and there is not a narrative to follow. So, here are a few very practical ways to read the Proverbs:

� Read one Proverb a day with other Bible reading that you are doing.

� Make a topical list: Take a blank sheet of paper and every time you come across a Proverb that expresses an emotion, or talks about the fools and wise, or the hard workers and the lazy, write down the Biblical reference and describe it. At the end of this year you will have a list of emotions and habits to reference. Keep the list handy for your next emotional meltdown, or as you are working on disciplines.

� Pray the Proverbs: Many Proverbs are easily adapted into prayers of either praise for what God gives or a request for insight. Considering reading them out loud as a prayer to God.

� Re-Title them: If you looked in my Bible you would see that the one I am reading has a title describing the topic. If I rename it with what strikes me about the content it makes me try to understand what�s being said.

� Look for Christ and characteristics he showed, like wisdom, forgiveness, purity. You don�t have to be a Bible scholar to do this - use your cross reference to discover the connections.

Notes from David�s Journal

In Isaiah 60:1-22, you see the term �Zion� regularly. Perhaps you don�t know from where the term comes. It�s essential in understanding Judaism. Indeed, Jews are often called �Zionists.�

When David first conquered the city of Jerusalem, he captured the �fortress of Zion� and named it the �city of David.� Later, when Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, the site where it was built was called �Mount Zion.�

In Isaiah, Zion is a synonym for Jerusalem, God�s city. Zion symbolizes God�s very presence. It also symbolizes God�s protection for His people and their endurance against all their enemies. Zion then becomes wherever God�s people are (especially important as you read Isaiah 60).

Zion also symbolizes a right way to live. Since God is always present among his people, no matter where they may be, they are to behave according to God�s moral character. Therefore, wherever they are, there should be trust, justice, charity, compassion and righteousness. These alone are the citizens of Zion. In fact, in some Christian homes, Zion becomes another term for �the kingdom of God.�

Jews are Zionists when they yearn for their homeland, which they believe God gave to them. They yearn for their promise land as Christian Zionists yearn for Jesus� return to establish his rule here.

There is much to connect us to our friends, the Jews!

The Post (Week 12 Isaiah 53-59)

2010-04-27T11:32:00.000-04:00

The Messiah (Part 2)

What if you could predict that the Chicago Cubs were going to win the World Series in 2011 and be right? Wouldn�t that be amazing on several levels? But wouldn�t it be even more amazing if you predicted it in 1776, when Baseball wasn�t even invented yet?

Let�s read something even more amazing than that. This is Isaiah�s description of Jesus, written 700 years before he stood on the earth. �He had no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrow, and acquainted with grief�surely he has borne our grief�s and carried our sorrows�he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with he stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.� (Isaiah 53:2-6)

Hallelujah, what a Savior! Can you believe this good news, that God so loved the world that he gave us Jesus, to trust and cling to in this life?

In the context of this week�s reading I would like to make two notes. First of all, this good news is for everybody. Isaiah 55 is like an open invitation for anybody who is thirsty and hungry and empty. Like the old hymn �Come ye sinners,� says,

Come, ye thirsty...Come, ye weary, heavy-laden, Lost and ruined by the fall; If you tarry till you�re better, You will never come at all.

Let not conscience make you linger, Not of fitness fondly dream;

All the fitness He requires, Is to feel your need of Him.

In other words, you only have to know you need him, to receive him. This is the best offer we will ever receive.

Secondly, one of the most descriptive chapters on compassion is found in Isaiah 58. When we know the grace of God, we are called to remind people of God�s offer of grace and to freely pass on his love, through our words and through the means God has given us.

Tips for Reading- (Observation tip # 12)

Let�s repeat a tip that is very helpful when reading Scripture: Look for Repeats.

The Scripture writers repeat concepts, themes and even actual phrases to emphasize the importance of certain thoughts and ideas.

For example, look how many �Servant Songs� there are in this last part of Isaiah. These are songs that clearly point to a work the Messiah could do. Or, how many pictures of remnants, judgments and restorations are written about in the book? Notice which ones are repeated and try to see what the significance is. How many repeats are we missing?

Notes from David�s Journal

Isaiah 53 may well be the most powerful and significant prophecy about Jesus in the Bible. Again, remind yourselves as you read it that it was written 600 years before Jesus ever walked on earth. In amazing specificity, Isaiah sees what the Messiah will go through for our sakes. After reading this chapter, it is difficult to imagine how anyone cannot believe Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah of Israel.

Examine the verses:

-vs. 2: Nothing particularly beautiful about Messiah

-vs. 3: He was despised and rejected. We turned our backs on him and didn�t care (think not only of those that rejected him then, but those who reject them today. How many turn their backs on Jesus and just don�t care).

-vs. 4: He carried our weaknesses...carrying a punishment meant for US!

-vs. 5: He was pierced for our sins, whipped so we could be healed (eternal life!)

-vs. 6: We�re like sheep wandering away from God but all our sins are laid on HIM!

-vs. 7: He never said a word (verified in the New Testament), never opening his mouth.

-vs. 8: He was unjustly condemned and led away, struck down because of the rebellion of the PEOPLE!

-vs. 9: He did no wrong.

-vs. 10: It was God�s plan to crush him, him being made an offering for OUR SIN!

-vs. 11: God is satisfied to see His Son pay the price for our sin.

-vs. 12: All the honor of a soldier, of faithfulness, is his. Every knee bowed and tongue confessing Jesus is Lord over the universe!

To think Jesus took the burden of our sin upon Himself is almost too much to contemplate. Such love from the Father to us! How amazing is God�s grace, seen in prophecy 600 years before Jesus ever came, as powerful then as now in its reading.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

The Post (Week 11: Isaiah 39-52)

2010-04-27T11:08:00.002-04:00

The Messiah

Remember how Handel�s Messiah starts out? �Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye my people, says your God. Speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned...A voice cries in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low�and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.�

Well, that�s right out of our readings this week, Isaiah 40:1-5.

There are at least three components to this passage that I would like to bring up. First of all, they are described as my people. As we read 2 Kings and the early parts of Isaiah, the people of God are headed for destruction because of their rebellion, yet, they are still the people of God. Secondly, their sins have been forgiven. Since their sins are the reason they are in this mess in the first place, that has got to be good news. Only when we get to Isaiah 53 next week, do we see the basis on which their sins will be forgiven.

Lastly, God is bringing the exiles home. He will make the way straight in the desert for them to return. This last part has a couple of different consequences. Historically, the Jews from Judah did return to their land after their Diaspora to Babylon. But, this picture in Isaiah is even bigger than an individual group of people. This good news is for the entire human race to see. This is a view of worldwide restoration one day when Jesus Christ returns again. Now, when that happens we will all be singing The Hallelujah Chorus!

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip # 11)

Okay, we are at the last �W� and then we will go into some new ideas. �Wherefore� is the question of difference. You could paraphrase it, �So What?� What difference would it make if I were to apply this truth?

Wherefore is the question that gets us started doing something about what we�ve read. Remember, the word of God was not written to satisfy our curiosity, or even to give us deep truths, as much as it was written to change our lives. For example, if you know that the future for God�s people will end with worldwide restoration, how will that help you with decisions today? Does your life have an enjoyment in tough times because of it? What about in rush hour traffic? Or in a struggle in the home over when to go to bed, or how work was done today? Where are some practical places God wants you to experience joy? How can you apply these truths?

When we get to the section on Application, I will give you a number of ways to answer these questions, but for now, it�s a good reminder as to where we are headed.

Notes from David�s Journal

Concentrate on Isaiah 40. It�s a prediction of God�s kingdom on earth. It�s a future hope that should make all our hearts sing, sing, sing with hope. It�s an immediate prophecy to Israel amidst her apostasy and enemies knocking on her gate. But, it also has a future hope that we should easily recognize.

Pay special attention to the last few verses, 28-31. These often-read verses are meant to encourage hearts and give even more hope. If we really believe the Lord is our everlasting God, a God who never grows tired or weary in governing rightly His world and His children, if we truly believe that God understands all that is going on even if we don�t, then we can confidently proclaim in faith what vs. 29 says:

-God gives strength to the weak and powerless

-Even youths, who often seem to have limitless strength will grow tired but will find God�s extraordinary strength in trusting Him.

-When we do trust God, we will soar like eagles OVER the problems.

-We will run and not grow weary.

-We will walk and not faint.

That is the power of faith. It allows us to trust God even when our circumstances seem exhausting. Then, amazingly, God�s strength allows us to take the next step...and the next...and the next.

When we are weak, only then is he strong!

The Post (Week 11: Isaiah 39-52)

2010-04-27T11:08:00.001-04:00

The Messiah

Well, that�s right out of our readings this week, Isaiah 40:1-5.

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip # 11)

When we get to the section on Application, I will give you a number of ways to answer these questions, but for now, it�s a good reminder as to where we are headed.

Notes from David�s Journal

The Post (Week 10 Isaiah 25-38)

2010-04-27T11:06:00.000-04:00

The Balance between Perfect Peace and Perfect Teeth

�In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah; we have a strong city, he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.� (Isaiah 26:1-3)

I was looking back over my journal and the last time I read this passage was August 9, 2009. We were on a lake in Tennessee with Janet�s parents. I had my morning devotions through this section and I wrote, �I love this passage. In the midst of judgments and anticipated attacks, comes a calm remove. We must remember who is here with us. He is the one who is guiding us to perfect peace as we keep our minds on Him, even in the midst of turmoil. He is telling the story and I can�t wait to see the next page that He directs.�

Well, what happened next had every ability to be a tragedy. A cable broke that was pulling my sweet wife behind a pontoon boat and flew at her head. At first, with blood all over her face, we could not see where it had hit her. As we pulled her in we saw several teeth were missing and a gash was on her lips, but she was actually fine. (She had more peace than we did at that moment, and I was the one who read the passage earlier!)

My point in all of this is that the words by Isaiah were true before the accident and after the accident. These words were also true when the people of Judah read them in the midst of their lives being shaken. It might not change our circumstances, but it has every potential to change our perspectives and our hearts.

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip # 10)

I am going to take a break from the 6 W�s for a week and give one assignment: memorize the Ten Commandments. A recent survey asked Americans what is the standard to judge good behavior. Most responded the Ten Commandments. The follow up question was to list as many of the Ten Commandments they knew. Most people could only get about four correct.

I think it is good to know the Decalogue, or ten words as the people we have been studying knew them. By the way, notice the first four laws are between God and man, and the last six are between man and man. How many other observations can you make about the ten?

Notes from David�s Journal

Read closely Isaiah 35. It�s a terrific chapter in God�s Word. It is a promise from God to His people that even though they are in captivity, going through tough times, there is a future and hope. Look at some of God�s expressions for Israel�s land that becomes barren because they are taken away and cannot dress, till or keep it.

-vs. 1: Even in this wilderness a blossom of crocuses will bloom!

-vs. 2: An abundance of flowers will bloom again, causing singing and joy!

-vs. 3: The good news of new growth will strengthen with hope tired hands and weak knees.

-vs. 4: It will make all say, �Be strong and don�t be afraid. God is working!�

-vs. 5: The blind will see. The deaf will hear

-vs. 6: The lame will leap. Those who can�t speak will SING!!

-vs. 7: Parched ground will become filled with water.

-vs. 8: People will become holy, not evil.

-vs. 9: No animal predators will lurk on the highways.

-vs. 10: The people will come back to the land singing with everlasting joy!

What�s the message? With God, our future is always filled with HOPE.

The Post (Week 9: Isaiah 15-24)

2010-02-23T16:25:00.000-05:00

Blessed to be a blessing

David Chadwick recently gave a message about gleanings and giving from our abundance. He said the only reason he could think that God has blessed him so much, is so he can use his blessings to be a blessing to the nations. That�s the picture I get in our reading this week, specifically in Isaiah 16. This chapter is in a series of judgments against the nations for their terrible treatment of Israel and their rejection of God. The chapter focuses on the people of Moab, but it has surprises.

Let�s look at vs. 3-5, �Give counsel; grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon; shelter the outcast; do not reveal the fugitive; let the outcast of Moab sojourn among you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer. When the oppressor is no more, and destruction has ceased, and he who tramples underfoot has vanished from the land, then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David, one who judges and seek justice and is swift to do righteousness.�

You�re probably asking, who are the Moabites? And where is this discussion going? According to Genesis, the Moabites were relatives of the Israelites, both peoples tracing their descent back to a common ancestor, Terah. The Moabites originate from Moab, who is Lot and his daughter's son (Genesis 19: 37). The story of Ruth testifies to the existence of friendly relations between Moab and Bethlehem, one of the towns of the tribe of Judah. By his descent from Ruth, David is said to have Moabite blood in his veins. He committed his parents to the protection of the king of Moab (who may have been his kinsman), when hard pressed by King Saul (1 Samuel 22:3,4). But, here all friendly relations stop forever and there was tension for the rest of their history.

In this passage, the Jews are called to reach out to their relatives and show them mercy. Somehow this grace is connected with the kindness of God coming to Judah in the form of the Messiah. In other words, there is a direct connection between our showing grace to others and our hearts expanding in love for God and his work. (I guess the story about the Grinch is right.) Jesus said, �Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.� Well here�s the Old Testament story to illustrate that very well. But, the question is how am I blessing others with what God has given me?

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip # 9)

When did this happen?

We are making our way through the �W�s� Now, lets deal with the question of time. WHEN? When did this event take place? When did it occur in relation to other events in Scripture? When was the writer recording the event? In short, always determine what time it is.

The Passover is a good example of why we need to look at time. How long was Israel enslaved? We know that some of Israel�s darkest days came when they were enslaved. God used these tough times to make them ready for rescue. They went through a long period of having land and now they are about to lose it. So, how would you describe the times of the people listening to Isaiah speak of Judgment? We can learn so much just by simply asking �when?� It takes a little time and investigation, but the return in understanding is well worth it.

Notes from David�s Journal

As you read these chapters (and others in the Old Testament), you will see a continual reference to �The Day of the Lord.� These are days when God shows his awe-inspiring Lordship over creation, especially godless enemies doing warfare against God�s will. We see these �enemies� in Isaiah in the nations of Syria, Assyria and Babylon. That�s why Isaiah (and other prophets) predicts a �day of the Lord,� when God intervenes for his people and relieves them from the yoke of bondage from these nations.

However, in understanding the Bible, we need to realize there is an immediate and future �day of the Lord.� The �immediate� is the day when God overthrows an earthly oppressor from his children. The future day is the assurance of one day, in the future, God will judge all nations and people throughout human history in a final conflict, a final judgment. Christians believe that day will be when Jesus returns and eradicates evil finally and forever from this earth.

When you read about the �day of the Lord� in these chapters and others, it should give us all the absolute assurance that evil does not win, that God is sovereign and justice will one day conquer all. It should put our hearts at peace.

God is sovereign. God is in control. We should therefore fear nothing.

The Post (Week 8: Isaiah 8-14)

2010-02-16T13:29:00.000-05:00

The Good News

I know you have heard the phrase, �You had to be there.� Someone tells a joke, and you don�t understand what was really funny and they tell you, �you had to be there.� That�s at least a bit of the feeling I get as I read this section of Scripture. This is one of the passages we read at Christmastime to remind us of the good news that God sent a Messiah to redeem the world from their sins and to offer salvation through trusting in this gift. �For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.� (Isaiah 9:6) But, there is context to this passage that is different than we normally take in.

Two chapters before this, God sends Isaiah to King Ahaz and offers a sign of deliverance for the Southern Kingdom, Judah, from the Assyrians, �Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign, Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.� (7:14) Ahaz, using pious language, refuses to trust God and this sign. As a result, he is bringing judgment upon his people.

In our passage this week there is a warning of judgment and an offer for rescue still in view, but this time it is aimed at the Northern Kingdom of Israel (which is also called Ephraim or Samaria). God continues to ask, �What will I do with a people who will not seek me even in a situation of social collapse and threatening devastation?� Ultimately, the answers will be destruction for the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. and a major ransacking for the Southern Kingdom in 701 B.C. all by the hands of Assyria.

So, in this backdrop, the verses that had fulfillment in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, and the one�s we read to bring us hope today have a bigger punch. I think it shows that we, as a people of God, are always more needy than we think and that God�s grace in the midst of our craziness is more radical and restorative than we know. It is really good news.

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip # 8)

The question �where� gives a location perspective. Just like we looked at last week the family of faith is really out of faith and facing destruction. So, a key question to get perspective is where is this narrative taking place? Where are the people in the story? Where did they come from? Where have they been living and where are they going? Where is the writer? Where were the original readers of this test?

The question �where� is the reason we have maps in the back of the Bible or in Bible Atlases. It is to show where the Biblical events took place. You can trace on the map all the places we see the characters of the Bible visit. This is definitely a blind spot for someone from our culture because most of us have never been to these places. The more you understand the geography of the story, the more you will get out of it.

Notes from David�s Journal

In looking at Isaiah 8-14, I would especially draw your attention to chapter 9. It is one of the most famous prophetic chapters in the Bible, with clear focus on an upcoming Messiah entering the world. Examine some of the most known verses:

-vs. 2: �The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.� Jesus said, �I am the light of the world.� He came into the sin and darkness of this world to give us light regarding how to walk now and the path home. Without His light, how can we even find the path?

-vs. 4: �For you will break the yoke of their slavery.� For Christians, this is Jesus who breaks the power of the yoke of our sin. Galatians 5:1: �It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, no longer to be under the yoke of slavery.�

-vs. 6: �For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.� This child is Jesus, from conception to birth the long-awaited Messiah.

-vs. 6: �The government will rest on his shoulders.� All the governments of the world will be under His authority and His authority alone.

-vs. 6: �And he will be called wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.� All these names of Jesus are still being used by Him and for Him today!

-vs. 7: �His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne and his ancestor David for all eternity.� Jesus is from the lineage of King David. Jesus� reign will never cease. He is Lord of the universe forever!

When one reads these verses and realizes they were written by Isaiah, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit 600 years before Jesus ever came, not only does one believe the Scriptures are divinely inspired, but we want to fall on our faces and worship Jesus even more.

To Him belongs all the glory forever!!

The Post (Week 7: Isaiah 1-7)

2010-02-09T10:16:00.000-05:00

Recipes for Love - Forgiveness

A song by Don Henley of the Eagles says, �The Heart of the Matter is Forgiveness,� and I believe he is right about that. Like David Chadwick says, �The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.�

About 2,800 years ago my good friend Isaiah said the same thing (I call him a good friend because he is my favorite prophet). �Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be a white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.� (Isaiah 1:18)

This sounds like a positive, uplifting book you might be saying to yourself. Well, remember we have just finished reading 2 Kings and have witnessed this story first hand. Isaiah�s prophecies are contained in 2 Kings. The first chapter of Isaiah shows that the people of Judah have fallen away from God, �Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.� (Vs. 2)

The pictures in this chapter are desolation, cities on fire and foreigners devouring. Isaiah has seen it first hand; he knows what he is talking about. In 701 B.C., Judah was invaded by the Assyrian armies led by Sennacherib and experienced this kind of tragedy.

But, just as the beginning paragraph suggests, forgiveness and restoration are always offered. You might be tempted to say, since we just read the end of 2 Kings and saw the people attacked and ultimately dispersed, that there is no hope. But that would be a wrong assumption as long as God is in the mix. Forgiveness is offered for every individual, no matter his or her situation in life, and corporately for Israel there is a future restoration. Look at Isaiah 1: 27, �I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning, Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.� This implies a future for the people of Israel.

One last note, when Isaiah experiences God�s cleansing in Chapter 6, he immediately offers his service to help others know forgiveness. If we have met the good graces of God�s love, we must pass that mercy on to others. And that would be a key ingredient in the recipe of love.

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip # 7)

Why

We�ve asked the question �who?� and explored some of the �what.� Now, let�s look at �why?� which really gets to the heart of things.

We may not always be able to come to a definite answer every time, but asking why helps us to see the purpose behind the actions we are reading about.

Sometimes I will even just write �WHY?� in the margin of my Bible and allow God to unpack an answer as I continue reading.

One of my big why�s in this week�s reading is, why does God show mercy to those who have wronged him? It seems that the people have chosen against God over and over and yet He promises a restoration. (Of course, this is the very compassion that I desperately need.)

Here is another why? Why does God use a seraphim to cleanse Isaiah? Or why does the truth spoken to these people dull their hearts and blind their eyes? Am I like that? Why?

Notes from David�s Journal

Isaiah begins a study in the Old Testament of the prophets. It is the longest prophetic book. Isaiah is speaking to the southern kingdom over almost five decades. His teachings are powerful and relevant, filled also with prophetic teaching about the coming of Jesus, almost five hundred years in the future.

As you read the first two chapters, I�d like to ask you to get a feel for Isaiah�s understanding of the holiness of God. His deep respect and reverence for God, especially as he is in God�s presence is astounding. He notices all the angelic hosts crying out God�s holiness.

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6, he taught us to begin with an understanding of a loving Father, but also One who is holy, different than we are. We always run a risk of trying to make God our Buddy and forget He is also transcendent, different than we are, holy.

The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This �fear� is not cowardice but a holy reverence for God. That is where salvation begins. When we realize how holy God is, and how sinful we are, that�s when we seek for One who can save us. Of course, for Christians, that �One� is Jesus.

�Holy is the Lord�. Isaiah helps us like no other Biblical figure to understand this truth.

The Post (Week 6: 2 Kings 19-25)

2010-02-02T11:04:00.000-05:00

Leaving a Legacy: Love God�s Word

If you want to know how fast a nation can move from God fearing and scripture knowing to complete apathy and ignorance, just look at our readings this week. We are 75 years removed from the devastation of Israel in the north and the great reformation that Hezekiah led in the south, and there is no sign of godliness again. (Doesn�t this sound like some aspects of our culture today?)

Upon this scene comes the last serious attempt at moral and theological reformation in the Kingdom of Judah. King Josiah leads the reformation and the key is finding commitment to the word of God. �And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord�When the King heard the word of the Book of the Law he tore his clothes�then the king sent and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. And the king went up to the house of the Lord and with him all the men of Judah�and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the Covenant.� (2 Kings 22:8,11; 23:1-2)

Josiah hears the truths from probably Deuteronomy and changes are instituted. On every front where he could effect change, Josiah brought the nation into line with the Law of God. He reinstituted the Passover and pulled down altars to other gods and put away the mediums and necromancers. In other words, Josiah left a legacy of being submissive to the Scriptures and what God had commanded.

Someone once said the church is never a generation away from apostasy and oblivion. Are we living our lives committed to the truths of the Scriptures so that we leave a legacy for the next generation of a love of God�s word?

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip # 6)

Key People doing WHAT?

Hopefully this idea of observation is becoming second nature to you. We will work on observation a few more weeks before moving to interpretation. In the meantime, we are building our detective skills.

Last week we focused on people in the text. Moving on, our next observation question is What? What is happening in this text? (Plot) What is the order of the plot? (Sequence) What happens to the characters? (Character Development)

If it�s a passage that argues a point, what is the argument? What is the point? If there is a problem, what is the issue? What�s missing? And the biggest question of all, what is the writer trying to communicate? All of these are just observations. You have to see what�s there before you can even answer the question. Using a journal to bombard the text with these types of questions can bring about amazing answers that you never dreamed of.

Take time to answer some of these questions about Josiah�s time as King. Talk to someone else about what you saw. That is the fun of doing this together.

Notes from David�s Journal

I love King Josiah. He is another example of a good and Godly king who helped retard moral decay and allowed Israel to receive blessings from God.

The story is really interesting. Josiah commands a search of the Temple archives for anything interesting to help him lead. What is found is a copy of the �Book of the Law,� the Old Testament Scripture. In reading it, Josiah discovers all the promises from God that he would bless obedience and judge disobedience (particularly found in Deuteronomy 28 and 29).

Josiah�s heart for God expanded and grew. He told the nation that he would lead a commitment to obey the Book of the Law. Revival broke out nationwide. People everywhere made this same commitment. They fell on their faces, starting worshiping God with passion and committed themselves to obedience. And, God started blessing the nation.

The Book of the Law for us today is God�s Word, the Bible. I think God is ready and willing to bless a people who makes Him their one true God but also commits to obey Him in every way. Jesus taught in John 15 that blessed are those who not only love Him but obey His commands.

The Bible is God�s Word. It�s given to us to read, study and also obey. It increases our love for God and our faith in Him to be able to do all things.

I pray for a similar kind of revival among God�s people and His Church today. But, it will only happen when we reclaim our love for, belief in and obedience to God�s Holy Word.

The Post (Week 5: 2 Kings 8-18)

2010-01-26T09:12:00.000-05:00

Leaving a Legacy: Trust God

I read a book this summer called �Team of Rivals,� written by Doris Kearns Goodwin. In the book she makes the case for Abraham Lincoln's political genius by examining his relationships with three men he selected for his cabinet, all of whom were opponents for the Republican nomination in 1860. In other words, in a time of peril, Lincoln left a legacy.

So it is with our reading this week. The books of I and II Kings have put more emphasis on Israel, the northern ten tribes, than it has on Judah, the other two tribes, which include Jerusalem. But, this is about to change. �In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria, and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria�and this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt�� (2 Kings 17:6-7). This is the end of Israel and the ten tribes. What a sad legacy.

But, the focus of the story quickly switches to Hezekiah and the people of Judah. �He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. He held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses.� (18:5-6)

Hezekiah is facing a serious threat from the same Assyrians. He is making these decisions in the face of real danger and the real collapse of Israel�s ten tribes. Most of this has been brought on because of the stupidity and faithlessness of his father, Ahaz. Instead of compromising, Hezekiah diligently seeks the face of God and he finds, just like Abraham and Moses found, that God is able to defend his people against many.

This story should cause us to seek the same God today and leave a faithful legacy of trusting that God, especially when times are tough.

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip # 5)

Key People WHO:

During the next couple of weeks we will study the six W�s of Bible study; who, what, where, when, why and wherefore. Now, you might be saying - this is like 7^th grade English. True! But let�s think a minute about what makes a great fisherman great (and a terrible fisherman like me so bad!). One difference (outside of the fact I am so impatient) is the tools he uses. With the right bait, a fisherman can increase his chances of catching the big one. It�s the same way with Bible study. If you ask the right questions, like a detective, you can get great answers.

This week let�s look for WHO. Look for the key people in the text. Are we being introduced to someone who will be really major later? Find out what the text is saying about who they are. For example what is their relationship with God? Are they a good character or corrupt? Have they undergone a major change? Try to imagine their appearance. Are they wealthy? Do they have connections to other important people in the story? For example, in these chapters we have a lot of Kings. Who is leaving an evil legacy? How will these actions cause the destruction of a nation?

If you know of other passages in the scriptures that describe these characters, look at them. (Isaiah is mentioned here, how does that connect with his book?) This is especially important when an Old Testament character is brought up in the New Testament. Cross-referencing gives a more complete picture. The Bible is one story and God wants to show how He changes people and how we can apply that lesson to our own lives. There is no greater way for us to see the impact of the gospel than when we study the people of the Bible.

Notes from David�s Journal

As you�ve probably been able to tell, when the northern and southern kingdoms divided, there�s not one good king that oversaw the northern kingdom. Read the list and see their actions and you can see that not one had a heart for God. I would surmise that�s why the northern kingdom quickly fell into degradation and was consumed by the Assyrians only 200 years after its inception.

The southern kingdom lasted another 200 years longer than the northern kingdom (a 400 year history), I think, largely, because it did experience several good, strong, Godly kings.

Hezekiah is one of those kings. As you read his history and life in this section of Scripture, simply note his heart for God. Note his prayer life. Note his faith, how he believed in God�s delivering power when all the odds seemed against him. I believe God blessed the southern kingdom because of the faith of its good kings like Hezekiah. I believe kings like Hezekiah helped retard the degradation of the people and God�s judgment.

What does this mean for us? We should pray every day for God to bless our present leadership, both locally and nationally. We should pray that they would seek after God�s heart in every possible way and pass legislation that promotes the heart of God. Why? Because when a king/leader seeks after God, God not only blesses the leader but the city/nation the leader oversees.

The Post (Week 4: 2 Kings 1-7)

2010-01-26T09:11:00.000-05:00

Leaving a Legacy: Reaching outside your neighborhood

One of my favorite people in the Old Testament is Elisha. I feel he captures the heart of Christ, 1,000 years before Jesus came to earth. Jesus said He came to seek and to save the lost. The book of James says, �Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, is this: to visit orphans and widow in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.� If we put the two of these verses together, we get Elisha reaching out to the poor and to the lost. Let�s look at three of the folks that Elisha thought were important to God. These stories strongly illustrate the loving and providential care of God for all His saints: young and old, rich or poor, weak or powerful.

The first is a widow and her two sons who had nothing. In II Kings chapter 4, we see the widow is without money to eat and the creditors are knocking at her door. Elisha provides a way for the family to work and pay off debts in order to live well.

The second example is really about Elisha facilitating a woman in ministry. This again illustrates the prominent and important place women have in the Bible, in God�s ministry and in the family. The role of women is indispensable and they can have vital ministries for which every man should have great respect and appreciation. We are very dependent upon the ministries of godly women in a multitude of ways.

The Scriptures say this woman was great, and another translation says she was wealthy, (2 Kings 4:8). She might have been prosperous, but she was also great because she wanted to promote the work of God, especially the preaching of the Word. So she provides housing for Elisha and encourages him. In turn, she is given a son from God Almighty and a rebirth of sorts for the son after a seemingly fatal accident.

Lastly, we have an outsider to the Jewish community. It is a commander of the army of Syria. This country is always an antagonist to Israel, but God calls Elisha to reach out and heal this man of leprosy. I think this is an echo of Jesus� healings in Matthew 8 of a leper and to honor the request of a Centurion, a Roman commander.

These pictures of Elisha show the heart of God and I believe they are part of the legacy we should live and pass on.

Tips for Reading- (Observation tip # 4)

Key Verses:

We have been looking at key words and people, now let�s apply that to key verses. Let�s look at 2 Kings 6:17, �Then Elisha prayed and said, O Lord please open his eyes that he may see. So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.�

The first thing I think of is the scene in Lord of the Rings, when Aragorn comes out of the boat seemingly outnumbered and then the undead ghosts appear to fight with him. (Obviously, if you are not a Lord of the Rings fan, you can skip this illustration, but I believe JRR Tolkien used this biblical story as a prototype for this scene in the book.)

Anyway, this is probably one of the best verses in all of scripture to illustrate the difference between how a man sees and how God sees. Since this is in our readings this week, let�s look at it.

The first key word we see is �open his eyes.� It is important because it is a contrast or a change of direction compared to what has been. It makes me look to the preceding context, which is a crucial aspect of Bible study. We read that the servant believes the Syrians have them trapped. There seems to be no hope, no way out. But, when God opens the servant�s eyes he sees the spiritual reality and how it interfaces with the physical reality. We could do much more in the area of context, but the point is, whenever you study any verse of Scripture, be sure to place it context. (Or else, as David Chadwick says, it�s a pretext.)

Another key point is to look for verbs. The main verb like we said is �open.� It�s in the future tense, so it hasn�t happened yet. And what will that do? Is it physical or spiritual? How does it change the way Elisha and the servant respond to the situation? What is the cause and effect? What�s the importance of the places mentioned? There is no limit to how many observations we can make from this one verse. Now we can really start filling up the journals. What might God do in you today to remind you of the real spiritual situation in your life through these stories? Try it for yourself.

Notes from David�s Journal

In II Kings 2, Elijah is taken to heaven in a fiery chariot. Apparently, he is one of only two Biblical characters who never faced death. The other is Enoch in the book of Genesis. They are the only two people who have not faced the reality of Hebrews 9:27: �we all are appointed to live once, die once and then face the judgment once.� Reincarnation is not a Biblical teaching.

Yet, why did these two not face death? Only God knows deep in his heart. Some have suggested they both attained a form of righteousness where they didn�t have to face death. Others have suggested they are the two witnesses in Revelation who return to earth and fight the Antichrist, doing great miracles for God then suffering persecution and martyrdom for God. If this is true, and it may be, this means that they do face death one day, as all people do, and Hebrews 9:27 is true.

Whatever may be the case, we can all rest assured that from God�s perspective Elijah (and Enoch) have a special purpose in God�s eternal plan and their going to God without facing death fits perfectly into that plan.

Personally, I look forward to it all unfolding!

The Post (Week 3: I Kings 15-22)

2010-01-12T15:51:00.001-05:00

Leaving a Legacy: Have Courage

I don�t remember experiencing this, but my mom has recounted the story to me. One day while I was at an amusement park, a child (not me) got pinned under a carousel car. My dad immediately rushed up to the car and lifted it off of the child. I don�t think he even processed whether he would be injured or not, he just jumped in and helped. Bravery seems to be a quality that is just present and comes out in times of need.

Such is the story with Elijah in our reading this week. It�s crazy to think this story even needs to happen. This is the people of God. Just a couple generations removed from the pinnacle of their story with David and Solomon. As a nation they have now turned their backs on God. So, God sends Elijah to interrupt their rebellion.

I don�t know what you thought when you first read the story, but if I put myself in Elijah�s shoes, I would start off very shaky. Look at the words King Ahab says to Elijah as they meet; �Is it you, you troubler of Israel?� Instead of pulling back Elijah goes forward in the confidence that God has called him. �I have not troubled Israel, but you have and your fathers house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat the Jezebel�s table.� (I Kings 18:17-19)

I visited this very same area a couple of years ago. Mt. Carmel sits astride the International Highway (sometimes called the Via Maris), and among significant routes of travel in the ancient world. Mt. Carmel was most significant in ancient times as a barrier to traffic along the coastal plain. The 1,500-foot high limestone mountain impeded armies and merchants traveling to the Jezreel Valley.

Mt. Carmel is also in sight of Nazareth where Jesus grew up. You can also see the valley of Meggido where major battles where fought and where Armageddon is prophesied to be.

When I looked toward Mt. Carmel, only one thought came to my mind; this is where a faithful man of God had courage against an evil king and his false prophets. That�s what Mt. Carmel stands for today. In fact, there is a statue of Elijah at the Carmelite monastery, which reflects the Lord's victory over the prophets of Baal. What a legacy Elijah left in courage for us to follow.

What is God calling you to take a brave stand for today?

Tips for Reading- (Observation tip # 3)

Note: This section is help for Bible Reading in general. It has been building throughout the year under the topics of Observation (what the Scripture says), Interpretation (what it means) and Application (what it means to your life). Feel free to look back over past weeks to get the whole picture.

Understand the imagery:

Let�s continue our examination of personal Bible study methods. Last week, your assignment was to look for repeated words. Did you find some? Were you able to make some connections? Again, just to remind you, ask yourself �what do I see?� (Observation), �what does it mean?� (Interpretation) and �what does it mean to me?� (Application)

Here�s another observation tip. As you go through daily readings, make sure you can visualize what you are reading. If you are reading about Elijah, remind yourself what you already know about the Prophets of Baal he is fighting against (the ones who are cutting themselves and sacrificing children).

Also, ask yourself questions like what was it like to live in this time? How did the prophets of Baal affect the community�s connection with God? The point is, these were real images to the original listeners and to make sense to us, we need to hear it like they heard it. Understanding the author�s original intent of the words is so important.

If you are wondering how you are going to figure out the imagery � here are a few suggestions:
1. You can Google these images and get a better picture of what the situations looked like as the authors described them.
2. Use a study Bible as a reference. Zondervan has recently published an amazing resource called the Archeological Study Bible.
3. Find the Bible Atlas or maps at the back of your Bible. They will tell you things like how far it was from Nazareth to Mt Carmel.

I know this sounds like some work. Remember that knowing God is a day-to-day effort. Take it at a good pace. Look up one thing a day and see if you don�t become hungry for more!

Notes from David�s Journal

One of the most fascinating Biblical figures is Elijah. He is considered one of the great (if not the greatest) prophet of God. John the Baptist comes in the spirit of Elijah. On the Mount of Transfiguration in Mark 9, it was Moses and Elijah who appeared to Jesus, Peter, James and John. I think this was very purposeful from God�s perspective. He wanted Jesus� inner circle to experience the two great divisions of the Old Covenant: the Law (from Moses) and the prophets (of whom Elijah is the greatest). God then says to the inner three, �Listen to Jesus,� not Moses or Elijah, but Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament/Covenant.

Therefore, as you read about Elijah, note how closely he walks with God, how much God loved him and used him, how special he is! God uses Elijah to raise a widow�s son in I Kings 17. He defeats the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel in chapter 18. He goes through a serious time of discouragement in chapter 19 (yes, even God�s best do!), but overcomes it through rest, nutrition, water and a return to ministry.

James 5 says that Elijah was a man just like you and me but he believed in persistent prayer. Because of his righteousness before God (something we all have because of our faith in Jesus), his persistent, fervent prayers brought rain amidst drought. The Scripture says we too have that kind of power in our prayers!

May Elijah be an example for all of us as we strive to love and serve our Lord.

For further LifeGroup study content and discussion questions, visit the RTB Study Blog.

The Post (Week 2, I Kings 8-14)

2010-01-05T13:55:00.001-05:00

Leaving a Legacy: A good marriage

This section of reading has got to be some of the most important and tragic. Here�s the wisest and richest man who is connected with God and is leaving a wonderful legacy to his family and his country. And then this�

�King Solomon, however loved many foreign women beside Pharaoh�s daughter�he held fast to them in love�As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been.� (I Kings 11: 1-4)

The end result of Solomon�s compromises is the nation and country is ripped apart. 12 tribes become 10 and 2 and it is because of Solomon�s rejection of God�s leadership, which goes back to his compromises with his wives. It matters a great deal how our marriages are going, it connects us to the bigger picture of legacy.

John Ortberg made a comment in his book, �Doubt and Faith�, that our lives are a vote for or against the kingship of God in our lives. Ultimately, Solomon cast a vote against. It is almost incomprehensible that he did this. He had everything because God had given it to him, but because of serious moral compromises, he lost his connection with God and left a legacy to his family and the nation of brokenness. This is the beginning of the downfall for the country, which will end in being displaced from their homeland and a major breaking of the Covenant relationship with God.

Most likely our marriages will not individually shape our entire country, but the point is that it always impacts at a higher level than we can imagine. David Chadwick has said, �You can always leave your spouse, but you can never leave your best friend.� This story of Solomon challenges me to keep my sweet girl as my best friend. Now what steps do I need to take to leave a good marriage legacy?

Tips for Reading- (Observation tip # 2)

Observation Tips

How are you doing with observing? Remember, the key questions in Bible study are �What do I see? (Observation), What does it mean? (Interpretation) and What does it mean to me? (Application). I would like to give you an easy observation tip. As you read this week, look for repetitive words. Repetition is not because God needed to take up space to fill the entire Bible, but because a concept is important. This week as you read through I Kings 8-14, see how many repeated words and concepts you find. Maybe write a note or two about the significance of those very words.

Notes from David�s Journal

I Kings 12 is the first chapter written after Solomon�s death. The question was obvious: who will be the next king of Israel? Rehoboam, Solomon�s son, seemed logically to be the obvious choice. However, there were problems. Many people in the northern part of Israel still felt some loyalty to King Saul. They felt David had wrongfully stolen the throne. They therefore leaned toward a person from their own tribes to be their king, a man named Jeroboam.

However, they also knew that David�s line was fairly well established through Solomon. So the leaders from the north go to Rehoboam, ready to pledge loyalty, but asking for one request: please take away the yoke of taxes that Solomon had imposed on them. They felt these taxes were too great.

Rehoboam asked for a few days to think and pray about the situation. He went to some older, wiser man in Israel and asked their opinion about this request. These elders felt like the request was valid. They encouraged Rehoboam to reduce the taxes and become a servant to the people. Rehoboam wasn�t satisfied with what he heard (sometimes leaders will only listen to what they want to hear). He then went to some younger leaders and asked their opinion. They encouraged him to increase the taxes and show the people who is boss. That�s what Rehoboam decided to do.

He refused to be a servant of the people. He used the people to get what he wanted, higher taxes, more wealth for him to oversee.

The result? The people in the north rebelled. They appointed Jeroboam, their choice for king, as king. Israel is now divided into a northern and southern kingdom, never to be united again.

Those who are younger would do well to learn from those who have walked the road of life. Often, nothing teaches us like experience. If you are confronted with a very difficult decision, find someone who is older, who has walked with God for years, and ask for their counsel and insight. Most often, they hear and know the heart of God.

For further LifeGroup study content and discussion questions, visit the RTB Study Blog.

The Post (Week 1, I Kings 1-7)

2010-01-05T13:53:00.000-05:00

Leaving a Legacy: Involved in the Work of God

David Chadwick is doing a sermon series about Legacy right now. This blog will follow the readings and the topics from that sermon series.

This week is all about being involved in the work of the Kingdom. The main character of our readings this week, Solomon, knew about investing in God�s work. Look at I Kings 5:5 and 6:11-13:

�I intend therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God as the Lord told my father David, when he said your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name�The word of the Lord came to Solomon; As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, carry out my regulations and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father.�

This building of the temple in Jerusalem connects the people both backward with the heritage and forward with the future of God�s redemptive history. The structure is an exact reproduction of the original tabernacle. Thus, the rites prescribed by the Mosaic Covenant continue in a permanent way. This means the people are not transitioning any longer, but they have a home. Also, when the ark of the covenant has been transported to it�s new resting place and the priest withdraw, the glory of the Lord, manifested in the same type of cloud that signaled the Lord�s presence in the tabernacle, fills the temple. Thus, it is a connection with God Almighty in a way that foreshadows the permanent presence of the Holy Spirit taking residence in the temple of our bodies after the cross.

To this day, the Temple, which no longer exists, is still referred to Solomon�s Temple. What a legacy he provided for his people. When we invest our lives in the work of God, which is really like making His name famous and making Him the point of the legacy, we connect with this history of faith in a similar manner. It reminds us that God�s work has been going on way before us and way after us. In this process, we can actually pass on to the next generation the priority of finding out where God is moving and giving our lives to that. So what are you investing your time and money in today?

Tips for Reading- (Observation tip # 1)

This section is to help you learn how to Study the Bible for yourself. It will be building throughout the year under the topics of Observation (what the Scripture says), Interpretation (what it means) and Application (what it means to your life). Feel free to keep looking back over past weeks and the tips that have gone before as you begin to work through the Old Testament to get the whole picture.

You begin by asking God to open your heart, to increase your knowledge and change your life through the insights of His word.

Let me help you ask a couple of investigative kinds of questions to get you going for this week�s reading. What is the most important event in these first few chapters? What makes Solomon�s request different from what most people�s requests would have been? How does that affect the storyline?

I hope you see the point of this exercise. Especially when it comes to the Bible, we have some preconceived notions about what we are reading. Careful observation is required to get to the good stuff. Simply put, observation answers the question, �What do I see?�

We will spend the first third of the year asking this question. I will help you create questions as we go on, but for now make sure you take a minute and write down one thing you learned through observation in your journal.

Notes from David�s Journal

I Kings 3 is one of the most interesting chapters in the Bible! Can you imagine God granting you any one wish? If so, for what would you ask?

So many in our culture would probably ask for power...or money...or prestige...or security. For what would you ask?

After David�s death, Solomon ascended to the throne of Israel. God then granted him the privilege of asking any one thing he wanted as king. I�m certain Solomon felt tempted to ask for power, money, prestige, security...or any one of a number of other personal things. Yet he didn�t. After much prayer and contemplation, he asked God to give him wisdom. Solomon knew that wisdom was absolutely essential for thoughtful, successful leadership to occur. God was pleased with this request and answered Solomon�s request. By the way, I think the Proverbs, written during Solomon�s early leadership years, is the culmination of all the wisdom God gave him. In fact, the book of Proverbs is a great daily Bible reading strategy, especially if you�re just beginning to study the Scripture. There are 31 chapters that you can read daily!

What is wisdom? We especially need to ask how wisdom differs from knowledge. I think knowledge is knowing a fact, knowing something to be true. Wisdom, however, is the practical application of that fact or truth. I know a lot of people who have much knowledge. They populate politics, education and other professions. But, they don�t seem to have much wisdom. They don�t apply the fact in their own lives. Bottom line: they don�t understand obedience. And, you can�t really love God if you don�t want to obey God. Wisdom is the practical application of obedience.

That�s why God was pleased with Solomon�s request. Every leader, to lead effectively, needs knowledge and wisdom. This wisdom was used by God to allow Solomon to lead Israel to the zenith of incredible success. Nations from all over the world came to learn from Solomon.

If you had one �ask� from God, would you ask for wisdom? If so, it would please the heart of God.

The Post (Week 52: 2 Samuel 17-24)

2009-12-22T11:46:00.000-05:00

David, the good, the bad and the legacy (Part 3)

Since this is our last reading of 2009, I thought it would be great to examine the legacy of David. Beginning in January, our church is starting a series on Legacy through the book of Kings.

Look at II Samuel 23; �These are the last words of David. The oracle of David, son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel�s singer of songs. The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me; when one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.�

I almost feel like it is unnecessary to add any commentary to the last thoughts of the King. So, I will make it brief and encourage you to read his words again. First of all, David is always clear that God called, God equipped and God moved among the people. David was just the vehicle God chose to use. But secondly, God did choose to use him. His light and connectedness to God is always the measurement of all the kings to follow.

The legacy David has left, should be ours as well. Remember who God is constantly. He is the one telling the story. David Chadwick says God is in management and we are in sales. So be faithful to reflect His character in your life and follow after him closely.

Did you know that the moon is just a big heap of dirt, but when it is facing the sun, it is brilliant? People fall in love under the moonlight. And if you faced the Son constantly and help others fall in love with him, it would be an amazing legacy. What�s your new years resolution?

Tips for Reading - (Application tip #17)

Note: This section is help for Bible Reading in general. It has been building throughout the year under the topics of Observation (what the Scripture says), Interpretation (what it means) and Application (what it means to your life). Feel free to look back over past weeks to get the whole picture.

On this last week of 2009, our last step is Application � specifically Practice.

The ultimate goal of Bible Study is practicing the truth. You can�t apply every truth you find in your study, but you can consistently apply something. You should always ask yourself, is there some area of my life for which this truth is needed? A great example is Psalm 139. Acknowledging the truth that God knows all I am doing, then praying honestly to Him so He will reveal my real motives. When I see what my motive is in a particular area, I ask God for wisdom of how to address it.

My daughters have been participating in sports this year at South Meck High School. If they don�t get enough food, this can lead to a lack of energy to finish the race. This is the same for our spiritual race. The Scriptures give us energy to run the course well.

Remember, the Word of God is the best place to receive refreshment and it is to be experienced and enjoyed again and again. Happy New Year!

Notes from David�s Journal

Here�s what I would like for all of you to do: go back and look at how David treated Absalom. Absalom, I think, was David�s choice to succeed him as king. He had many leadership qualities. He was bright, attractive, insightful and gregarious.

He also had a temper. As you do your study, look for the time Absalom lost his temper. When he did, now notice what David did NOT do to his son.

Our kids, as we raise them, are looking for two things. They want unconditional love. And, they want strict limits. Love and limits: these are the two keys to parenting, in my opinion. They are basically asking two questions over and over again:
1. Do you love me? Then, we must answer over and over again, �Yes, I love you unconditionally!�

2. May I have my own way? Then, we must answer over and over again, �No, you may not�

This love with strict limits allows children to grow up in a secure love, maturing into adulthood as God intended.

Now, back to David. He didn�t do either with Absalom! As a result, Absalom eventually led a rebellion against his father, trying to overthrow him! He didn�t respect his father, which is what often happens with children who have either uninvolved parents, or parents who have no limits and discipline in their lives. That�s why Paul exhorts fathers not to exasperate or frustrate their children, either by giving all discipline without love or all love without limits. To do one without the other frustrates a child. A part of them never develops.

David�s parenting with Absalom is a powerful reminder to all of us about the need for love with limits. The option? You may cause rebellion in the hearts of your children. Absalom is a great example of this truth.

The Post (Week 51: 2 Samuel 10-16)

2009-12-16T16:38:00.000-05:00

David, the good, the bad and the legacy (Part 2)

It seems counterintuitive, but some of the strongest temptations come when we are at ease. During intense struggles we see the need to depend on God and walk in the Spirit, but when life is going well and we are taking a break, disaster could be around the corner. So it is with David. Our reading this week examines the dark side of his reign and it finds him restless, foolish, and not careful. Chapter 11 starts out with the phrase, �In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king�s men and the whole Israelite army.�

What happens next is grievous on many levels. Obviously, David commits adultery. He then attempts to cover his guilt by bringing the husband home to hide the issue. Unfortunately for the plot, the husband is an idealist and faithful to his military responsibilities in terms of his covenantal faith (11:11), so he is killed. David�s extraordinary manipulation of the military, and political levers of power, show that he has become intoxicated by power. He thinks he can arrange anything; he thinks he has the right to use the state to advance and then cover up his own sin. This is nothing but corruption.

At the very least, this chapter provides a dramatic witness to the blinding effects of sin. Here is David, a godly man, who we have seen in previous weeks walk humbly before God, and has now become alienated from God thinking he has gotten away with his sins. I believe this led him into more sins such as refusing to punish his son who raped his daughter (2 Samuel 13), and as a result creating a murderous rebellion in another son.

The lesson I hear in my own heart is to be very aware that the enemy is ready to devour me, and the vehicles he uses are right here in this text. It starts with a distance from God and rationalization of my position, my own sins and the cover-ups. I need daily to ask for the Lord�s deliverance and to walk humbly with him, like David did in the beginning.

Tips for Reading - (Application tip # 16)

Psalm 131, �Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with thing too great or too difficult for me. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; I am like a little child. Israel put your hope in the Lord both now and forever.�

This Psalm brings us to the third step, Meditation. Remember when we discussed this in the Observation section? True meditation is pondering the truth with a view of letting the truth help and readjust our loves. Most of us are moving so fast we don�t have any think time. We may even think that meditation is for profession Christians (pastors) or, worse yet, only for Eastern Religions. The practice is throughout the Scriptures (Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:1-2) and is key to spiritual prosperity.

My sweet wife makes a great taco soup that has to cook in the crock-pot all day. The best way for Scriptures to affect our everyday life is to take time just listening to God through His word. Then, we should allow the Spirit to guide us based on what we have just read.

Notes from David�s Journal

The story that obviously stands out the most in this section of readings is 2 Samuel 11. It�s the story of David and Bathsheba, the child they conceived in an adulterous relationship, David killing Bathsheba�s husband, Uriah, by placing him in the front of battle, knowing this act would assuredly cost him his life. David was trying to cover up his sin of adultery and only complicated the matters with murder.

Adultery and murder were David�s sin. If any of you think your sin is too great for God�s forgiveness and grace, please read and reread Psalm 51, the psalm David surely wrote after his sin was exposed and his brokenness occurred. He received God�s mercy and grace, His kindness and forgiveness. It�s a beautiful expose of God�s grace always being stronger than our sin.

However, also spend some time realizing what caused David�s adultery, what I like to call �the anatomy of adultery.� Note, he was not out in battle with his troops. They are fighting for their lives, yet the commander and chief is back in Jerusalem, resting. He evidently was �sleeping in� when he spotted Bathsheba bathing outside. His mind wandered, probably fantasized. The thought led to action, the action to grievous sin. Bottom line: David was not guarding his heart. He was not guarding his eyes (see Job 31:1). He was casual with his walk with God and temptation took over.

Make no mistake about it: the evil one is like a prowling lion, looking for any chance to take advantage of our lazy attitude toward sin. Fighting against temptation is a daily exercise. It cannot be taken lightly.

Finally, you need to realize that even though God forgave David, he never returned to the zenith of success in his leadership like before. Yes, he was forgiven. But people did not trust him like before. Though God forgives, there are still consequences in this life when we sin. That�s a reminder to all of us about the importance of guarding our heart and thoughts every minute of every day against that which can defile us before God.

The Post (Week 50: 2 Samuel 3-9)

2009-12-08T09:55:00.000-05:00

David, the good, the bad and the legacy (Part 1)

My lovely wife, Janet, has a running list of coolest people in the world. Who would you put on that list? I would probably have singers Bono and Jon Foreman, John Cusack (a great actor and a Chicago Cubs fan by the way!) and Walter Payton, among others. If you went into the annals of history, King David would probably come out the winner of them all. More books have been written about him than anyone in history. He was such an intense man. He was exuberant in his pleasure and crushed in his discouragements. He was caring toward his people, powerful in his leadership and unrestrained in his worship. We are going to end the year discussing his life in three parts; the good, the bad and the legacy.

In this week�s readings, I am struck by David�s humility seen in three different pictures. First of all, in relation to the nation of Israel, he sees himself as a shepherd, called by God for the good of the people and not for his own advantage. �And David knew that the Lord had established him as King�for the sake of the people, Israel.� (5:12)

Secondly, in relation to God, David has a humility that is reflective in his worship. In chapter 5, David sends 30,000 troops and representatives from the whole house of Israel, plus musicians and choirs to bring back the Ark of the Covenant, and presumably the entire tabernacle up to Jerusalem. When things initially do not go in the right direction, David is both angry and afraid of God (6:8-9), but that intense emotion soon turns to a charismatic service like Israel had not seen in sometime. When David is chastised for the worship he replies, �I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes.� (6:21-22).

Lastly, in relation to his own biography, David is aware that this is not his work, but God�s alone. �Who am I Sovereign Lord, and what is my family that you have brought me this far?� (7:18). Let�s use these three aspects to ask ourselves hard questions in the application section.

Tips for Reading - (Application tip # 15)

The second step in application is connected with the word Relate. The scriptures should be related to every aspect of your life.

First of all, like David with the kingdom of Israel, scriptures should relate to other people. You can discover they are not the enemies, but many times victims of the enemy. You can see them as folks God has put in your life and learn treat them as Jesus would.

Secondly, scripture should relate to your relationship with God. In Christ, He is your heavenly Father. You have a personal and intimate relationship with Him. He�s given you new life through Jesus, and has given you the Holy Spirit to help you grow and accomplish His purposes. Do you see changes in this relationship as you grow? What does your worship look like in church, at home and work?

Lastly, the scriptures should relate to a new you. If you follow the first couple steps, your life takes on a new meaning and purpose. How does this affect your self-esteem?

The scriptures also relate back to the last nine questions we discussed a few weeks ago, your sins, God�s promises and commands, and examples to follow. All of these are for life change. Have you noticed yourself change lately? God wants to continually change us.

Notes from David�s Journal

In 2 Samuel 6, after David is made king over all of Israel, he decides it�s time to bring the Ark of the Covenant (the place of God�s presence) to Jerusalem from Philistia. David wants the Ark to be central to Israel�s worship of the One, true God.

During the trek from Philistia to Jerusalem, the Ark becomes unsteady. Uzzah, one of the people overseeing the Ark�s transportation, casually reaches out his hand to balance the Ark. He is struck dead by God and dies immediately.

Some have asked, �How could this be? He was just trying to steady the Ark?� It does seem unexplainable, until one remembers all the commands by God to Moses about the building of the Tabernacle and the construction of the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. Moreover, God gave Moses specific instructions about how the Ark should be handled, carried and used among the people. The Ark was God�s presence among his people. Therefore, it needed to be handled with the utmost holiness and care. It could never be handled �casually,� without great respect. The reason God gave these instructions to Moses was so the people of God would see God as holy and would desire to be holy themselves. God knew that if His people ever started thinking of Him as a casual God, as just a friend, they themselves would start to behave in casual ways toward sin and things which defile God.

That�s why Uzzah died. He failed to follow God�s prescriptions for how to handle the Ark. He �casually� touched it, irreverently, not understanding the holiness of God. It may seem like a harsh punishment to us, until we realize Jesus Himself came to die for our sins so that we can enter into the presence of God Himself, reverently, humbly, thankfully, realizing that without Jesus� death on the Cross we too should die if we ever try to come into God�s presence as casual sinners, not having experienced the cleansing of our sin which makes us �holy.�

God said in His word, �Be holy as I am holy.� The story of Uzzah reminds us how important holiness is to the God we love and serve through Jesus our Lord.

The Post (Week 49: I Samuel 27-31 and 2 Samuel 1-2)

2009-12-08T09:38:00.001-05:00

Pray for your enemies

As we reach the end of Saul�s reign as King and a new beginning with David, let�s take a walk in their shoes and reflect on our relationships. Is there someone in your life that has it out for you? Maybe it�s a relative that you can�t get along with, or a boss who mistreats you. Whoever it is, get that person squarely in your mind and then ask, �If tragedy hit their life, what would you do, celebrate or weep? If you had an opportunity to cut them down to size would you take it or ask for God�s blessings for them?� Now, let�s look at the story.

Saul has become a jealous man and has been actively pursuing the death of David. Some of the reasons are political. Saul knew that God called David to be the next king, and not his son Jonathon. His linage to the throne would not continue. Some of the reasons were centered on jealousy, �Isn�t this the David, they sang about in their dances; Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands?� (I Samuel 29:5). Some of the reasons were because Saul had resisted God for so long that he lost his sanity.

Whatever the reasons, the integrity of David is astounding. He has opportunities to eliminate his problem, Saul, and it looks like God has opened the door (I Samuel 24, 26 and in 29 by possibly fighting in a war against Saul). Yet, the principle that David comes back to over and over again is respect for the position of authority God has put Saul in. He shows patience, submission and grace.

Finally, in our reading this week, Saul dies. However, instead of the feeling of vindication, David creates a sorrowful tune. �David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan and ordered that the men of Judah be taught this lament of the bow� (2 Samuel 1:17). This is another shocker! We are taught an amazing lesson that Jesus will echo many years later, �Pray for your enemies.�

Tips for Reading - (Application tip #14)

We are ending the year with four steps to the application process. As a reminder, if you like these hints go back over them again and again, or get the book, �Living by the Book,� by Howard Hendricks which includes a lot of them. Before we go into the four steps I want to say again, the main focus of Bible study is life change. The idea is not getting a lot of great info, but, instead, allowing God to transform your heart through His Word to conform you into the image of Christ. This is a life long process rooted in the study of the Scriptures.

The first key word is Know. You need to know both the text and yourself. There should be one interpretation, but many applications. This story of David and Saul covers the traits of the righteous.

What are your traits? Do you know what your strengths are? Could you write down three right now on an index card? What about your weaknesses? If you put these two together, you�ll see the value in application. Your strengths will build confidence in you. It shows you what God has done in you. In your weaknesses, God can develop faith. The weaknesses show you what God needs to develop in you. The reason most of us don�t grow more is because we don�t know what we need. Insight is the first step toward spiritual growth.

Notes from David�s Journal

In I Samuel 28, Saul becomes increasingly corrupt and paranoid. We read the remarkable story of Saul consulting with a medium, a �witch� if you will. He is trying to find out spiritually how to handle David, his growing unpopularity and the loss of his leadership.

This is indeed remarkable because of the number of times Moses, hearing from God, warned the Israelites NOT to seek mediums or witches for any kind of spiritual guidance. Why would the Lord give such clear warnings? Because, when we seek spiritual help from these sources, we are flirting with the demonic world, the world of darkness. Don�t doubt for a moment that the spirit who appeared to Saul was nothing short of a demonic visitation, a spiritual creature from the world of darkness, coming to give Saul wrong guidance. As you can see, God was not pleased with this action from Saul. It was one step down the slippery road to decadence for this once-great leader of Israel.

Please be aware of this truth: for all of us who love Jesus, we are in a war that is not physical. Please read and reread Ephesians 6, starting with verse 10 to the end of the chapter. We are at war with powers and principalities of the darkness, from the eternal, spiritual world that seek to destroy us at every corner. Any time we open ourselves up to the world of evil, either through mediums, or ouija boards, or palm readers, or tarot cards, etc., we are inviting that world to guide our lives and the evil one is gladly willing to do so.

If you lack wisdom, according to James 1, go to God and ask Him to give it to you! He is more than willing to do so. Go to His Word and seek God�s heart. Talk to Godly counselors, men and women who can rightly guide you. But, don�t go to the dark world. You will never find God�s heart there!

The Post (Week 48: I Samuel 20-26)

2009-11-24T14:56:00.000-05:00

You gotta have friendship

I have been blessed with three godly friends, Marshall, Scott and Roger that I have connected with almost every New Year�s Eve for 32 years. I consider this to be one of the kindest gifts God has given to me. When we met, they were just a bit ahead of me in faith, and Marshall actually led me to Christ. These friendships have been the key to my growth in understanding and in being held accountable for how I live and walk in faith. Who would you say are the friends that have helped you grow in Christ?

Some of the best chapters in the Bible on friendship are found in I Samuel 18-20.

The way friendship is addressed in these chapters is like a theme explored by a gifted novelist. The description fits into the larger narrative of the decline of Saul and rise of David, a major turning point in redemptive history. Yet, this account is also important to show the relationship between Jonathan and David.

Let�s look at a couple verses from this section.

�Jonathan became one in spirit with David and he loved him as himself�Jonathan said go in peace because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord saying the Lord shall be between you and me and between my offspring and your offspring forever.� (18:1 & 20:42)

It looks like a simple friendship, but it goes much deeper than first appears. In between these two verses is a plot by Jonathan�s dad, Saul, to kill David because he knows David is going to become king. Jonathan refuses to help his dad in this plot and that is why he and David must part ways.

Tips for Reading- (Application tip #13)

Let�s go to a very easy application exercise. Stop for a moment and think of some stories when friends in your life have pointed you toward Christ. Maybe pick up and journal and write them out. That could be a legacy for the next generation to see your heart. You could also write letters to each of these folks and reminding them of the stories and letting them know you see them as a gift from God.

Notes from David�s Journal

My comments on this section of Scripture are going to seem terribly self-serving, but I�m going to say it anyway.

In these chapters, Saul�s paranoia has reached a new height! He now believes David is the source of all his problems and he begins a manic chase to kill him. On several occasions, as he nears David�s camp and believes he has cornered him, David instead has the chance to kill Saul but doesn�t. Can you imagine? David is on the run. Saul IS his major problem. And on a couple of occasions he could have killed Saul and eliminated all his problems.

But he doesn�t. In fact, he refused to do so. Here�s his exact quote: �How can I lift up my hand against the Lord�s anointed?� He sees Saul as king. He was still the one in authority over all of Israel. Therefore, because of Saul�s position, he refused to kill him. He refused to do anything negative against him. He respected the position of authority too much.

What does this mean for us today? Too many of us are too quick to lift up our voices and hands against those in authority over us. We may not like President Obama�s policies, for example, but he is our President. We are NOT to lift up our voices or hands against him. Indeed, we are to pray for him, as Paul clearly directs us in Timothy, to pray for those in authority over us all.

In fact, and this is where it becomes self-serving, Christians are not supposed to lift their voices against pastors over them. They too are ordained by God to oversee the flock. They are to pray for them. If there is a grievance, we are to go to other elders and raise our concerns. But be careful: this too should only be done if there are two or three witnesses. This is a spiritual office God takes very seriously. Casual criticism should be guarded at all costs.

That�s a specific lesson from David and Saul. I pray Christians today would see its wisdom. Respect for those in authority is sorely missing today. It needs to be reclaimed.

The Post (Week 47: I Samuel 13-19)

2009-11-17T10:54:00.001-05:00

Deception and the Pure Heart

The engineer of the Titanic is quoted as saying, �Even God could not sink this ship.� There�s a lot of this same attitude in the heart of Saul and his view of the Kingdom of Israel. Saul went from a man who was small in his own eyes, and could scarcely imagine being king, to a man who is willing to deceive God�s prophet and never repent of what he has done.

Look at I Samuel 15: 13-14, �When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully, �May the Lord bless you,� he said, �I have carried out the Lord�s command.� �Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?� Samuel demanded?�

This would almost be hilarious if it weren�t sad and very close to home. Saul changes his tactics and insists that the reason he kept the best sheep and cattle was to offer a great sacrifice to the Lord. There is nothing like a little religious patter to pull the wool over some peoples eyes. But it does not work with Samuel. He reminds Saul that it is better to just obey God than to be arrogant and rebellious (Vs 22-23).

Saul then offers a kind of repentance, but really it�s an excuse that he was afraid of the people (Vs 24-26). He believes it is more important to be honored before the elders of Israel than by the God of Israel (VS. 30-31).

We are lost when human opinion means more to us than God�s. When we choose to rationalize our own sin and call it God�s will, the truth will one day come out. Saul has become his own law. The bleating of sheep in the background scream out that God is not going to allow it to continue.

Look at God�s perspective of David in the next chapter: �People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.� This is a good lesson for us to learn. Some of us spend more time dressing for success and developing a compelling and authoritative voice than we do seeking to develop a pure heart.

Tips for Reading- (Application tip # 12)

Note: This section is help for Bible Reading in general. It has been building throughout the year under the topics of Observation (what the Scripture says), Interpretation (what it means) and Application (what it means to your life). Feel free to look back over past weeks to get the whole picture.

How can I give any assignment except that which is related to remembering the goodness of God in your own personal life and longing for a heart after God like David? Here�s a way to take this application idea a step further.
After you create a list patterned after what you see David doing in Psalm 103, take time to thank God for each one and picture the story in your mind. Next, call somebody (or Facebook them) and remind him/her of how God has been faithful in your life. These steps should help your memory be clear the next time you forget.

Notes from David�s Journal

How can anyone read this section of Scripture and not comment on I Samuel 17, David and Goliath. A bit of background info may help you understand the scenario. The Israelites and their mortal enemies, the Philistines, are fighting in a valley. When one side gains the advantage, it pushes the other up a hill. Then the one on the �higher ground� has the advantage and pushes the other side up the hill on the other side of the valley, thus giving the OTHER side the advantage. This went on and on for a period of time but is finally a �Mexican stand-off.� No one can eventually win. Therefore, the Philistines send into the valley one soldier, a man named Goliath, and he challenges Israel to send out one man for a fight, man to man, winner take all fight.

Goliath is making a mockery of the one, true God, challenging anyone to come and fight him. No Jew wants to take him on. Finally, David has had enough. He hated God being ridiculed like this. So he commits to fight Goliath. He tries putting on armor. But it�s too much for this young teenager. Besides, he knows God will have to win this fight, not armor.

So he picks up five smooth stones (Goliath had four brothers!!!). He runs toward the giant (not away: we must run toward our problems). He hurls the stone into the forehead of the giant and he dies. He then cuts off his head as a trophy (a way to get ahead...sorry!!!), to show the victory.

It�s truly a story of great faith in God, believing God is stronger than all the giants in our lives. It�s a story that should cry out, �Don�t give up! Continue to believe! God is bigger! Have faith! Believe the victory is already won! The things of this world, the armor of this world is useless in these battles of faith. But God will be faithful to deliver in your time of need!�

Believe it. And when the miracle occurs, please make sure you cut off the head as a trophy, a reminder of God�s faithfulness for you when future problem comes, and for your kids, so you can share God�s greatness with them too!

The Post (Week 46: I Samuel 6-12)

2009-11-10T16:26:00.001-05:00

What is God calling you to do today?

I had one of the college kids from our church ask me recently, �How do you know when God is calling you into something?� That�s a good question. He is planning to go to Africa next summer as a missionary. How does he know if this is what God is doing in His life?

In the scriptures, God calls in different ways. God calls Amos to be a prophet while he was a shepherd in Tekoa. Elisha was called to be an apprentice to the prophet Elijah (we will look at these stories next year). This week we look at two callings. I want to show a couple of guiding principles for us to know God�s calling on our lives.

First of all, in the calling of Samuel God speaks to him in a way he can understand and that can be verified by other godly folks that knew him. Look at 1 Samuel 3:18, �Samuel told Eli everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, �It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.� God still speaks through His word today to give us guidance. He never calls us to something that contradicts His word. I believe God also affirms these callings by the ones who are walking with Christ and know us the best.

Now, let�s look at the calling of Saul. It is a very different situation. �Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. Now when these signs meet you, do what your hands finds to do, for God is with you� (1 Samuel 10:6-7).

Two more principles:

� God always equips for what He calls you to do

� He gives you the passion

Find out where your gifts and passions intersect with the real needs of the world and that might be the nexus God is calling you to.

Tips for Reading - (Application tip # 11)

This is a good place to bring up a substitution we can easily make for a real life changing application. We can learn the details of how God has made us and what He wants us to do, but miss doing what we are called to do in light of that truth. In other words, we can become so enamored with the truth, that it distracts us away from living it.

It isn�t easy to receive the truth and to do it. Saul, for example, was hiding in the luggage when they were commissioning him. However, when you know what direction God is leading you, then you can ask him for something different than guidance, like the boldness to pursue it.

Paul said, �knowledge puffs up, but love builds up,� and I believe this is especially correct when learning the truths from scripture. The reminder this week is, as we learn truths, to immediately ask how can I live this out?

In two weeks I will conclude the year with four steps to putting this into action.

Notes from David�s Journal

After the Judges, during Israel�s darkest days, the people begin to look around them and yearn for steady leadership. They observe the nations around them and want a king. Interestingly, God had told them this day would come and He told them NOT to ask for a king. He wanted to be their king. He wanted to be their sovereign Lord. He wanted to rule over them solely and specifically. But, they wanted to be like the other nations. So, as God always does, He practices what I jokingly call �Burger King theology� - Have it your way! God said to the Israelites, �If you want a king, you can have a king.� God loves us enough to give us what we want. Love can only exist if we can choose what we want.

So Samuel, the last judge of Israel, listens to God�s instructions. God tells him to go anoint a king, the first of whom is name Saul. He�s a tall, handsome man. He is a bit shy but he seems to possess leadership gifts (at least at the beginning of his rule). However, as time passes, we see his insecurities and paranoia. He begins well but doesn�t end well. He�s like too many leaders we see today: outwardly gifted, inwardly savvy but his heart does not totally belong to God.

After all, that is the highest and most important leadership quality a person can possess: a heart for God. The king who follows Saul, in fact, is just a simple shepherd boy, with few outward qualities that would make one think he�s will make a great leader. But, he did possess that one quality that overcomes all weaknesses: he had a heart for God. His name: David, the beloved King. The one in the line of Messiah, Jesus.

May we all seek David�s heart, not Saul�s arrogance, as leaders. When done, watch God bless, as he eventually does David!