Bible blog post Wednesday June 9th from Matthew Karwon

1 Kings 5:1-6:38
Acts 7:1-29
Psalm 127:1-5
Proverbs 16:28-30

1 Kings 6
31 For the entrance to the inner sanctuary he made doors
out of olive wood that were one fifth of the width of the sanctuary.
32 And on the two olive-wood doors he carved cherubim, palm trees
and open flowers, and overlaid the cherubim and palm trees with 

hammered gold.

I'd like to talk about the imagery we see in the temple that Solomon built.
One symbol we see repeated is the palm tree. Some regard the palm tree
not simply as a symbol of rest but a symbol of the rest we have received
from Jesus's finished work at the cross. When He died on the cross it was 

the final sacrifice which gives us the eternal gift of salvation. "It is finished".

Matthew 11:28
 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Bible Blog Post - Saturday, June 5th

Michael Polak Blog Post

June 5

2 Samuel 23:24-24:25

Acts 3:1-26

Psalm 123:1-4

Proverbs 16:21-23

Keeping our eyes on the Lord

Psalm 123 is beautifully written, and though it is short it gets right to the point. I personally appreciate the reminder that we should be focusing on the Lord, giving everything to Him, and trusting Him with our lives. But it also reminds me of the first commandment we got from Jesus. It says in Matthew 22:37-38 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the greatest and most important command.

Sometimes it is so easy to get distracted by life and you might not even realize that you may be focusing on something else besides Jesus. It may have something to do with trying to start a new relationship and giving all your attention to your partner, or maybe you're just focused on a project for work, or you just have way too much going on in life that you can't seem to sit down and read your Bible, or even attend church on Sunday. Whatever your excuse may be, that is exactly that, just an excuse. An excuse to not be giving your attention to the Lord focusing on Him and staying in His presence. Look to Jesus to guide you through this life, be like the apostles were, and make yourself a slave to Christ, serve Him with all your heart and might, and when we fall to always look up to Him for mercy.

So next time you're going through stormy waters, whether it's financial, emotional, physical, whatever the problem may be, give it to God, look to him, and focus on Him. Love Him with all your mind and soul, even if you get scorn from the arrogant and contempt from the proud. The world may call us fools for trusting in God, and that's OK with me! I would rather be a fool for God because the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's eyes.

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Bible Blog Post Friday May 4th From Keisha Polak

June 4

2 Samuel 22:1-23:23

Acts 2:1-47

Psalm 122:1-9

Proverbs 16:19-20

 

Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. - Proverbs 16:19-20

 

Two simple verses, yet so much can be taken from them. Through much of my reading lately, I've been noticing a recurrence of putting aside one's pride and ego to trust in the Lord, and this scripture from Proverbs is another clear example of that. Our world is very much focused on prideful activities where one can boast about their triumphs, but these situations often leave others feeling less-than, unworthy, jealous, or angry. Those who go about boasting of worldly deeds ultimately aren't putting God first in their lives, and this choice will ultimately be their own downfall.

 

Why would someone feel compelled to boast of earthly things as if THEY themselves had a hand in creation? We are told not to boast, but if we do, may we boast only in the Lord, for it is because of Him that we have life and obtain any victory. Instead of spending time with others that boast of themselves, and keep us in constant competition, the Lord wants us to live humbly and turn to those that are less fortunate. Jesus commands us to love one another, and to do so you must have a humble and compassionate heart. Instead of focusing on a victory and the benefits that you imagine will come with it, turn to lift up those who don't have a vision of victory. Connect with others by humbly meeting them where they are in life, just as Jesus meets us where we are, not coming from a place of judgment or hierarchy, but from a place of grace. If we listen to these commands and these instructions and put our trust in the Lord no matter our circumstance, we will be able to truly live a joyful life. And when we live our lives in this matter, we are able to show others that they can confidently put their trust in the Lord, and in turn, they can find joy in their situations.

 

Obey the Lord for all your days and put your full faith in Him in every circumstance, show Him how much you truly love him by your faith and actions, and in return receive His eternal blessing. What can be more joyful than that?