June 10

1 Kings 7

It took Solomon thirteen years to complete the consructution of his palace. (v1). When all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated, the silver and gold and the furnishings, and he placed them in the treasures of the Lords temple. (v51)

Imagine spending that much time and paying extreme attention to every little detail to build God's perfect house of worship. When I think about the past thirteen years of my life, I can't say I have been as dedicated as Solomon in building my spiritual house. Yes, I read daily and pray, but we learn in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Should I not pay attention to the details of my own spiritual house of God and perhaps fast more, repent more often, and allow God to design me the way He intended? The answer to all those questions is a resounding "yes" and with this I set the tone for my spiritual growth over the summer. I pray for the patience and strength that only can come from God, and the wisdom and discernment that comes from His spirit as I begin paying attention to the details of new spiritual rhythms while working on building my own spiritual house.

Randi

Bible blog post Monday June 8th

If you need/desire wisdom keep reading.  If you know it all then you don't have to. (1 Kings 3:4-4:34)

"Ask for whatever you want me to give you." - God (1 Kings 3:5)

This was a statement God spoke to Solomon.  It was a promise actually.  Solomon, a new king of all of Israel, was given the chance to ask for anything in the world that he wanted and it would be given to him.  This was a chance to expand his human kingdom, to grow his power, to increase his wealth, to ensure victory in every battle (or for no battles at all), even to fulfill any or every desire of his human (sinful) heart.  But he doesn't ask for any of these things.  He looks at where he is in life (the king of a nation) and instead of being arrogant, instead of looking at this as his kingdom, instead of thinking he knows what he is doing, instead of believing his position automatically qualifies him to do the job well Solomon does something unexpected.  He humbles himself, acknowledges his inadequacies, his lack of understanding, his inabilities, his short comings, he reveals the limitations he knows he has that will prevent him from doing the job to the fully Glory of his God.  What his answer actually reveals is the foundation, the condition, that the heart needs to have, needs to be in, in order for wisdom to be imparted, to take root and to thrive.  He did not ask for wisdom so that he could gain fame, wealth, or prestige, he did not ask for wisdom to propel his own agenda or build his own kingdom but he asked for a discerning heart in order to serve the Lord and the Lord's people the way God wanted him to. 

God graciously answered.  Not only did God also give Solomon riches and honor as well as peace but God gave him wisdom beyond what he asked for, "He (Solomon) spoke 3000 proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.  He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon the the hyssop that grows out the walls.  He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish" 1 Kings 4:32-33. God gave Solomon wisdom that extended beyond what he had sought or could have even imagined.  God was then able to use it to build His Own Kingdom through Solomon.  God was able to be glorified.

"Ask for whatever you want me to give you." - God (1 Kings 3:5)  Your answer will reveal much about your heart.

You can find over 100 verses in the bible that speak about asking God for things.  He tells us, invites us, to do just that.  The best answer to God's questions in 1 Kings is still Solomon's, to seek wisdom.  "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and IT WILL be given to you." James 1:5  Who is without fault?  Who is able to gain this wisdom that God promises?  Those of us who humbly approach the throne of grace admitting our sin, our short comings, our weakness and seek the blood of Jesus Christ to cleans our hearts from impurities and pride.  God reminds us that the heart we need to have when we seek to give our answer is a humble heart that sees, acknowledges and admits it limitations and weaknesses, not one that is bent on our own wants, leans on our own understanding or one that harbors any glimpse of pride.

We all need wisdom and we all need to start with a humble heart.  We are warned in Romans 12:3 to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought, we are warned to not let pride blind us into thinking we know more than we do or that we are better, more able or wiser than others.

So we need to start by asking God to humble our hearts and reveal any pride that hinders us.  We need to seek a humble heart.

Solomon humbly asked for specific wisdom and God gave it to him and then some.  So what does a humble heart that seeks wisdom look like for us?  What specific wisdom can we ask God for that we lack?  Here are just some examples that I have been thinking of.

Wisdom to know how to love others, both those who love me and those who don't.

Wisdom to know how to live in peace with those who seem opposed to it.

Wisdom to understand those who are different than I am.

Wisdom to know how to live with those who think differently or believe things different than I do.

Wisdom to understand circumstance that don't make sense to me.

Wisdom to discern truth even when I think I already know it.

Wisdom to see beyond what I think I know and to see clearly what you, Lord, know.

Wisdom to see others as you do and then to have a heart to love them, support them, and encourage them as you do.

Wisdom to know when to hold my tongue and listen and when to speak.

Wisdom to know what to say when the time is right to speak.

Wisdom to see the faults in myself before seeking the faults and flaws in others.

Wisdom to know your word clearly.

Wisdom to then know how to apply and practice your word in my own life rather than using it as a measuring tool against others.

Wisdom to gain clarity when I find myself at the opposites end of a situation from others.

Wisdom to lead our families, churches, communities and nation as God sees fit and understands.

Wisdom to see what God might be doing in my life as well as in the life of others.

Wisdom to do things according to God's will and plan and not my own.

Wisdom to know how to practice patience when the wait seems unbearable.

Wisdom to know how to turn the other cheek

Wisdom to know how to live out the fullness of the Gospel as Christ did.

Let us strive for humble hearts then to seek wisdom and not think we already have enough.  Let us use the wisdom God imparts to live in love, unity and peace and for the Glory of God to be seen through us.

 

Bible Blog - June 7, 2020

1 Kings 2:1-3:2

Acts 5:1-42

Psalm 125:1-5

Proverbs 16:25

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The pledge of allegiance was originally brought into schools to help with unity across the country.  Each day that I am in school, I join my students with my right hand over my heart and recite those very words.  On the one hand, I'm grateful that my district still allows us to recite it, but on the other, I am aware of how absent God is from so many lives today.  Not by His choice, but by the unwillingness of many people to choose Him and follow His Word.

Did you know, the pledge actually began with a one hand salute, right arm extended and palm facing down.  It was later amended because it resembled the Nazi salute (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/).  What I find so interesting is that it then became practice to hold your right hand over your heart.  Our Lord and savior sits at the right hand of our LORD.  I find it no coincidence that God is speaking into our nation's youth, one pledge at a time, our right hands over our hearts.  Our heart is the gateway for Jesus to enter our lives, and for the Holy Spirit to reside in us.

In 1 Kings 2:1-3:2, there was changing over leadership from David to his son, Solomon.  Many knew that David had chosen Solomon as his heir, as he wanted to fulfill his duties to the Lord and continue to have his lineage hold the throne; but, his 4th son Adonijah had other plans.  Adonijah felt that he was rightfully owed that position of authority because he was the next in line by birth date.  You see, Adonijah's focus was not on God, it was on himself.  His focus was not on understanding that his father, David, was choosing who he thought was a better fit, it was on himself.  Too often we get fixated on what we think we are owed, rather than accepting that God has it all in control; and whether or not we know what His next plans are, we need not worry or hold resentment if things don't go the way that we had predicted.

I have often heard, "you are a product of your environment", and while I think that is true to some extent, I firmly believe that accepting Jesus Christ into your heart will create a whole new environment in your life.  While David was very faithful to God, he may not have been the best parent or father figure.  Did that contribute to why Adonijah acted the way that he did, while his brother Solomon, had his eyes fixated on the Lord?  Parenting plays a huge role, but God's role is far greater.  Had Adonijah chosen to follow God instead of plot to get the throne through David's nurse, his story may have been different.  I believe God sees this in our present day.  Children aren't always born into the most loving families, and they may not have the structure at home that is needed, but each morning at school is an opportunity for Him to whisper into our children's ears, and hold their hearts, no matter what human influence may surround them outside of those school doors.  God loves our children, and this is just one way He is knocking at their door.

In Acts 5, we learned how Ananias and his wife, Sapphira sold their land, and lied to the apostles saying that they gave everything they received in exchange for the land to them.  They were greedy, and lied about what they kept.  They wanted to appear as righteous followers of Christ, but God is all knowing, and they paid a great price for their deception.  My take away from this is that it is not enough to merely appear to be a devoted Christian, we must walk it out daily, live it, breathe it, and be the body of Christ.  It seems kind of silly to claim to believe in our beloved, all knowing God, know that his magnitude of power is far beyond anything we can comprehend, and then to go and try to deceive others in the name of Christ.  Who are you kidding?  Not God, that is for sure.  Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, paid the price of death for their actions.  What price is our country paying right now for our actions?

I challenge you to ask yourself this question:  In the midst of the terrible hardships that the people of our country are currently facing, how am I stepping out in my faith to spread the Word of God?

What is the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear?  What is the Holy Spirit prompting you to do?  Let us be Christians who look past the fear of being shut down or offending others with our faith.  After all, isn't that what Jesus told his disciples to do?  It's not a time to "play it safe" and only pray in private.  Our country needs God.  That is the only fix.  There is no lack of hope.  That is fear talking.  Don't let Satan block you from living out your mission of being a disciple of God.  Let us join together as a church body and show everyone who we encounter what it is to be a Christian.  Let us stand out because we are living God's Word.  Our Lord is fully invested in us, so let us be fully invested in Him and growing His kingdom.  

Just like the Sadducees tried to stop the good works of the apostles, there will be people in life who try to stop you from performing the good works of God.  However, you can walk in FULL CONFIDENCE knowing that the Lord has your back, and knowing that He is in power and control.  We need to follow the laws of the land, but when they go against what God has said, just as Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than human beings." Acts 5:29.  We must be selfless, loving, honest followers of Jesus Christ.  No matter what season you are in life, God's Word stands true and never changes, and it can always be used to give us a clear lens to view the world, free of man's influence.  Experience the God given vantage point that the Bible provides, and embody His Word in all that you do.  

Dear Lord, I come to you with thanks.  Thank you for the work that you are doing in our church. Thank you for the work that you are doing in each of us.  Thank you for the promptings that you give us to live out your Word.  Dear Lord, I ask that you please give us the courage to step out in our faith on a new level.  We are your vessels, please work through us.  Please protect us, your disciples, as we grow in our faith and spread your Word.  I pray that each person we come in contact with feels the presence of the Holy Spirit, and that they feel prompted to spread the same love and kindness that they received.  Let's tip the scales of the sinful prejudice that is occurring in our world, and wipe it out completely.  In your presence, everything is possible.

I love you, God, and thank you for loving all of us.

Amen.

Hear Our Praises - Reuben Morgan

June 6: Of the Struggle, Between Despair and Hope

1 Kings 1:1-53

Act 4:1-37

Psalm 124:1-8

Proverbs 16:24

   "Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, Whom You anointed.  They did what Your power and will had decided beforehand should happen." - Acts 4:27-28

They laid George Floyd to rest today.  I don't know them, but can only assume his family must still be in the agonizing pain of cruel, unexpected, criminal loss.  Most people will know who George is; fewer will know David Patrick Underwood, a federal law enforcement officer who was shot during the protests in Oakland.  His family is getting to know the pain of loss four days after Mr Floyd's.  Who else?  There's Calvin Horton, killed by a shop owner whose store Mr Horton was reportedly trying to loot, and Barry Perkins, a protester run over by a Fedex truck whose driver was fleeing looters.  The list is long.  

I imagine the families of the deceased will, at some point, ask why.  Why, as the verse put it, the fates conspired against their loved one.  They might read the passage above, and might come to one of three interpretations.

The first, a contradiction of the passage, that God was absent.  He wasn't around, which is why this happened.  That, as Martha said in John 11:21, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died."  I don't think that's what the passage says.   And that leads to despair, at the senselessness of it all.

The second, an interpretation of the passage, that God was present - and He was responsible.  That God caused their loved one's death, and caused all the pain that came with it.  I don't think that's what the passage says, either.  And that too leads to despair, at the purposeful cruelty of it all.  

The third, an interpretation of the passage, in the context of its subject - the Lord Jesus, and what He went through - that God was present, and as He permitted - FOR HIS PURPOSES -  the agony that came to Jesus, and that led to His triumph over the grave and the atonement for our sins, He too permits - FOR HIS PURPOSES - our loved ones' passing and the tide of pain that follows.  And if His purposes for Jesus's suffering were good, then so too will HIs purposes for us, and for our loved ones who have passed.  This is what I think the passage says.  And it leads to hope, at the loving purpose of it all.  

In the rip tide of pain, it isn't easy to lift one's head above the water and see, much less swim towards this third interpretation.  The temptation to blame, to lash out, to perpetuate a cycle of pain is great.  I pray, not just for Mr. Floyd's family, but for everyone his death has touched with pain of death, injury and loss, that they - that we, all, decide to see these losses through the certainty of a loving God's plan.  It may not take the pain away, but it may make it easier to bear.  

June 5

June 5, 2020

 2 Samuel 23

 "A Band of Brothers" is a book and TV series based on the WWII experiences of the Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division. The story tells about the friendships and camaraderie that developed among these men as they fought the war in Europe.

In 2 Samuel 23 we find the "band of brothers" that surrounded David. These men are called the "Mighty Men." They stood with David during his most difficult battles in life.

The times we most experience this level of camaraderie is during the trials of life. When we find ourselves in a life battle or going through "the dark night of the soul" it is very comforting to have someone stand beside you.   

The problem with Christianity today, and this is particularly true for men, is that we have portrayed the successful Christian life as being the "Lone Ranger" rather than someone in the "Salvation Army." This means we fight most of our battles alone and cry most of our tears secretly. Our individualism also means we lose most of these battles. I am so grateful for the men and women of Grace Church who have stood with me during the difficult times of life. To all those brothers and sisters I say, "thank you." Your friendship is worth its weight in gold. Thank you for being my band of brothers and sisters.

 

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"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, June 4

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020


"Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (Acts 2:22-24)


In Acts 2, we read of the miraculous birth of the Church at Pentecost. At the start of the chapter, we find the disciples gathered together in the Upper Room. As we read in 1:14, "they all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." Prior to the coming of "tongues of fire," signaling the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, the believers had sought God's presence in prayer. First, they had heard Jesus's declaration: "... You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 2 kick-started this process, and God's favor came upon the disciples and their early followers.

In this moment, the Gospel became approachable for all, due to the completed work of Christ on the Cross and to the Church's testimony: "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.'" (2:38,39) The Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in multiple languages, communicating the truth of what had occurred in understandable terms. Language typically creates barriers or misunderstandings; here, the Spirit provided a miraculous means of crossing those barriers and ceasing the misunderstandings, bringing people of many backgrounds under the banner of Christ.

In this moment, the Gospel became life-giving for all who would become the Church. While the believers in the Old Testament looked forward to fulfillment of the Messiah's promised coming, the Church could now look with certainty on the Resurrection: "But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (2:24) Because of the Resurrection, the Church would too be raised to new life. The promise of redemption had reached its fulfillment, and now all nations were indeed being blessed through the seed of Abraham (cf. Genesis 12, 15)

In the Gospel, the Church could find peace with God, leading to unity with one another. Having resolved their disconnect with God, the Church now could bridge across multiple lines: families, languages, and national backgrounds. Scholars point out that humans naturally lean towards a tribal attitude, which may give rise to divisiveness between groups along political or social lines. Yet, in the Gospel, the Church can reach across these lines. Unity could come out of chaos because of the completed work of the Cross and the sustaining presence of the Holy Spirit. This unity spoke to the Church's suitedness to Christ and their trust in what God was bringing about in their midst. They embraced God's move, saying, "Yes, Lord!"


When we look to our world today, the joyous triumph of the Spirit in Acts 2 can seem far away. And, yet, if we are to turn to God in trust and expectation, we know that God is capable of bringing about this type of transformation -- and quickly. May God bring healing and unity through the Gospel in our day, in our country.


Lord God, we humbly come before You and asking You to heal our land. We have not honored one another as Your created masterpieces. We have been selfish and short-sighted. In the Church, Your beloved family, please break down the dividing walls of hostility by the unifying power of the Gospel and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Help us to listen well to You and to one another. Give us patience and unfailing love, putting others before ourselves. To You be honor and glory in our lives and in our midst. In Jesus's powerful Name, amen.



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Blog post

Blog Post: June 3^rd,2020

2 Samuel 20:14-21:22

Acts 1:1-26

Psalm 121:1-8

Proverbs 16:18

I got comfort from today's scriptures. Psalm gave a sense of light as there has been a lot of darkness going on in the world. But there is hope and the song of ascents in Psalm expresses assurance and hope in Gods protection day and night. God is watching over us all constantly. Psalm 7-8 "The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life, the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore" Do you believe this is true? Do you believe that God watches over us always? I BELIEVE!  We can trust in God, he is almighty, all-powered and watches over us. Nothing deters him, we are safe and we never outgrow our need for Gods untiring watch over our lives.

I pray that we move in any which way you can and tell people about Jesus and his never ending love for ALL. May the Holy Spirit equip us with the power to witness to others. May we ask God to open our hearts and reveal any sin that is hindering us and hardening our hearts. I pray that we work on any prideful and judgmental tendencies, that we give these sins over to Jesus and pray constantly for healing and redemption. Yehshua, please be with us all as there is so much hatred and violence going on around, may we be quick to listening and slow to hate and anger. Yehshua, we ask for your comfort and guidance, as we all may be going through troubles of our own/shared. I pray we are able to lean on each other and give hope and help to our brothers and sisters in need.  I pray this in Jesus name,

Amen

https://youtu.be/ZxTxSCf51ck

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Aimee Spencer