Isaiah 42

It took about 7 minutes to read this passage. God speaks of his servant; Israel? Elijah? Moses? Isaiah? Jesus? God describes the characteristics and fruit of his servant (all of the above). Full of justice, gentle to the damaged, protecting the weak, healing the sick. But in verse 6 God says that he made his servant a covenant for his people and a light to the nations. Those are qualities of Jesus that we need to develope in our lives as well.
Stuart

Nahum

It took about 15 minutes for me to read this book.  It is important to remember that God revealed these words to Nahum years AFTER Jonah visited the city of Nineveh.  God’s mercy was extended to Nineveh, but now their return to evil has overwhelmed his generosity.  In 1 verse 9 God sums up Nineveh’s rebellious attitude.  God will overturn Nineveh’s plans to “repel” him.  They will not get a second chance.  Like them, we are expected to learn from the right and wrong choices of those who came before us.  I know that I have been guilty of failing to heed the warning God sent future generations.  But I’m thankful that He continues to extend his mercy to me and my generation in spite of rebellion.  But we must still take Nineveh as a warning to us.

Stuart

2 Thessalonians

It took about 15 minutes to read this entire letter. One of the passages or encouragement that Paul wrote to those young Christians in Thessalon is found in verses 5-7. God is the only just judge. Because of this truth we must set aside many of our labors for "justice" and wait for God to judge us. How do we apply this? I have never faced persecution because of my faith that has led to a threat to my life or well-being. I have been mocked and tested by numerous people. In most of those cases I have attempted to determine if my words and life would carry any positive influence on those who abused me. If I thought that my word would be received as instructive I have spoken. Too many time I believed that there was no respect given my words; in those I remained silent, depending upon God to intervene. Maybe I missed Paul's message, but I believe that is part of the lesson he was seeking to teach in 2 Thessalonains.
Stuart

Isaiah 41

It took about 5 minutes to read this chapter. Isaiah calls to those who worship idol to bring out the images and have them act. Verses 22 and 23 recounts the taunts Isaiah threw at them. Challenging them to do something; anything that might rouse fear. But as Isaiah points out; they can't. Why? Everything made by man is less than nothing. Whether it be an image, or a profession, or a reputation, or a lifestyle, or even a car; all of these are empty in comparison to God, the only one deserving worship. And how does God see those who pursue the worthless recipients of worship? Abominations.
Stuart

Isaiah 40

It took me almost 10 minutes to read this passage. In verse 12 Isaiah asks 4 questions about very common objects in order to convey the idea of how big God really is. How many handfuls of water are in the sea? It would be foolishness to try and calculate that. It would be imposible to attempt to measure it. That is the wrong measurement for the meduim in question. It was be like measuring the circumfrance of the earth, at the equator, with a 5 micro-meter gauge. We cannot try to understand God using natural measurements:
Stuart

Micah 6-7

It took about 8 minutes to read this passage. Micah ends his prophesy with a passage of praise to God. He don’t focus on the victories that God had given Israel in the past, or the Law, or the mighty kings who had ruled God’s people. Micah points out the difference between God and all the idols of the nations: he pardons sin, and delights in grace. The theology of most false gods was that of appeasement; “Serve me or I will abandon you.” was their lying messages. But Micah points out that the one true God of Israel is always looking for a way to restore his people back to him. If sin separates then he will pardon those who sin. If we are too weak to try, he will provide strength to walk and run. When our flesh battles his will, he will provide the strength to subdue our iniquities. Indeed; who is like our God?

Stuart

Psalm 150

Less than 60 seconds. That's what it took to read this psalm. The theme of the psalm is: Praise God. Then the psalmist answers four unspoken questions; Where? Why? How? Who? None of the answers are exhaustive, but rather suggested starting points. It should be pointed out that God, in his foreknowledge inspired this psalm with Gentiles in mind. Catch the last phrase; "...eveything that has breath...." There is neither Jew nor Greek in that statement. Neither slave nor free, male nor female, but all of God creation is included in the call to praise God. Since God planned so well for us it would be a shame to disapoint him. Halleluyah!!!
Stuart

Micah 4-5

It took a less than 10 minutes to read this passage. The previous chapter ends with the picture of Jerusalem being a heap of ruins. Then chapter 4 talks about the Last Days, the end of time. Those are the days that speak of us Gentiles. Here, years before the captivity of Judah and the destruction of Solomon's temple for God's name, God moves his prophet Micah to mention those of us born outside of the nation of Israel. We will seek God's "city", God's Law, and walk in the paths of righteousness. Thanks be to God, who planned these events long before they happened.
Stuart

Psalm 149

It took about one minute to read this short psalm. The message in verse 4 speaks volumes about the nature of our God. God delights in his people, for the very reason that they are his people. In the time that this psalm was inspired there were basically two types of Jews; those who lived by faith and those who did not. God's people were not merely all Jews; they were those who lived by faith. Under his new covenant God extended his favor to all people who choose to live by faith. And God still takes delight in his people.
Stuart

Micah 1-3

It took about 15 minutes to read this passage. In verse 2:7 Micah declares that the words proclaimed by false prophets are not from God. God's words bring about good for those who live in accordance with His law.
Stuart

Psalm 148

It took a couple of minutes to read this psalm. It is in this psalm that the truth about religion and science is exposed; they both point to God the creator. Christians often focus on the logic and order that God placed within the faith. But this psalmist, who penned these words years before Jesus walked the earth, also saw the logix and order that God put in creation. The first two verses list the spiritual realm; they must obey his spiritual law. Verses 3 and 4 speak of the natual realm; they must obey his physical law. Here geography, astronomy, chemistry, biology, siemology, vulcanology, entemology, and all the other different disciplines of science meet their maker.
Stuart

Joel

It took me about 10 minutes to read all of the words of Joel. This prophet was given a message of warning to give to the people of Judah. Warning them of the total destruction that God was planning to bring upon them because of their wicked rebellion. But beginning in 2:12 God offers them a way to escape that punishment. Return to God and this punishment will be with-held. That is a.picture of what today's world needs to hear as well. Sin requires an extensive punishment. But because Jesus died for all men, all who surrender to Jesus will not receive that punishment upon them. God has always been gracious and willing to forgive.
Stuart

Psalm 147

It took about 3 minutes to read this Psalm. People in the past, and some even today, look to the stars for the answers to life's mysteries. Scientist look to the stars in hopes of justifying their rejection of the supernatural, or to better "explain" our history. There are probably many cynics who see in the stars their hopes and dreams that they will never achieve. This psalm reminds me that we I look at the collection of stars that fill the vastness of the night sky, they each have a name. The one designated Sirius was named centuries ago, before man took in his first breath. The red giant Anteries was a source of splender to God long before a human named it. Maybe the stars twinkle because they hear God speak their name.
Stuart

1 Thessalonians 3-5

It took about 10 minutes for me to read this passage. Beginning in chapter 4 verse 13 Paul carrys on a brief discussion of the resurrection of the dead in Christ. In various other places in this letter he mentions the persecution that the Christians in Thessalon were facing. I wonder if Paul's concern for their faith was based upon the deaths of some new believers under recent persecution? If Paul had heard such news his concern would have indeed been well founded. But the encouraging words that Timothy brought back are evidence of the powerful hope that is at work in the lives od Christians.
Stuart

Psalm 146

It took a couple minutes to read this psalm, but was a wonderful way to close Thanksgiving day, 2007. In verses 7, 8, and 9 the psalmist proclaims not what God HAS done, but the acts of compassion and grace that he IS DOING. God is not dead! He is actively at work in the lives of those who have surrendered to his lordship and rule over their lives. And what He gives is so much more than we can give ourselves.
Stuart

1 Thessalonians 1-2

It took about 6 minutes to read this passage. As Paul mentioned his thanks for the believers in Thessalon, he also brought to mind three attitudes and their resulting actions in the lives of those believers (see verse 3). He saw faith that caused them to be active in expressing their faith. He saw love which was their motivation to keep working for the Kingdom. And he saw their hope in their salvation which enabled them to persevere through trials that came against them because of their faith. Three areas we need to contiue to develop so that God will bring about a harvest for his name.
Stuart

Psalm 145

It took me almost 5 minutes to read this. David seems baffeled in his attempts to praise God. In verse 3 he says that God's greatness escapes our understanding. But that doesn't satisfy this man seeking God's heart. Beginning in verse 7 David speaking of a fountain of praise. God is overflowing in goodness, righteousness, mercy, compassion, slowness in to become angry, grace, and goodness (just to name a few).
Stuart

Daniel 10 - 12

It took me almost 15 minutes to read this passage.  In verse 12 of chapter 10, God’s angel sends a message of reassurance to old man Daniel; “…since the first day that you determined to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard….”  I don’t know if Daniel 1:8 is the time of which the angel spoke, but often times we forget that God sees our faithfulness; even when no-one else does.  Our prayers are not heard because of great acts of heroism, our prayers are heard because of the simple act of faithfulness.

Stuart

Daniel 6-9

It took about 25 minutes to read this passage.  King Darius was tricked into proclaiming Daniel’s death sentence by issuing a law that forbade prayer for 30 days.  Daniel heard the law and did what every believer should do when confronted with a terrible problem; take it to God in prayer.  In verse 10 Daniel went home and prayed; but I wonder what words he brought before God during the prayer.  Did he pray for continued courage to pray regardless of the charges against him?  Did he pray for wisdom during the 30 days?  Or maybe that his prayer would be hidden?  He surely made his prayer life a matter of public discussion; for all his enemies knew his prayer schedule.  I wonder how many times he told them that would be praying three times each day?  God may not have answered Daniel’s prayer the way Daniel expected, but God answered in a way that has been an example of his Love for all his people over 2,000 years after Daniel’s ordeal in the lion’s den.

Stuart

Psalm 144

It took just a couple of minutes to read this psalm. David's introduction was very intreging to me. David realized that it was God who prepared him for the battles he faced against the Philistines and other enemies that he conquored. God build David's courage during those loney nights with the sheep, and God's lessons allowed him to face a bear and a lion before he met Goliath. David also had the courage to defeat his physical desires; but he surrendered that courage when he saw Uriah's wife.  God is training us to do battle with our hands as well: folding them in prayer, raising them in praise, touching others in ministry.
Stuart

Daniel 1-5 and Psalm 143

It took me to minutes, in two settings, to read the first 5 chapters. The goal for today was Daniel 1-3, but I mistook the 3 for a 5. It took a couple minutes to read the psalm.
Daniel's story begins with an act of faith; refusing to be defiled by unclean food. That was not an act of rebellion against the government of Babylon, it was a desire to follow God's law. This righteous desire was rewarded with insight; God revealed to Daniel a plan to show that eating according to God's law would produce visible evidence of God's actions. God always recognizes actions moticated by faith.
In verse 2 for the psalm David does more than plead for the Judge's mercy. He asked that he never be taken to trial. For no one can be found acceptable in God's sight.
Stuart

Psalm 142

It took me just over 1 minutes to read this pdalm. David wrote this psalm while he was in the cave. I presume that he was hiding for king Saul; waiting for his pursuers to pass by the cave. While dwelling for short while in this natural refuge, David confesses the powerful truth: the cave is NOT his protection, but God is.  The cave will not keep him safe from his enemies, but God will. The same truths apply to 21st century lives. Our health insurance will not keep up healthy, but God can. Our job will not secure our future, but God does. Our cars cannot guarranty our safe arrivals, but God can.
Stuart

John 19-21

It took about 20 minutes to read these last chapters of John's Gospel. In 19:23 John noted that the four soldiers who crucified Jesus divided his clothing between them. Jesus' undergarment was the 5th item. I wonder what the other four pieces were? His sandles would have been one piece (what good is one sandle?), his garment(robe) would have been number two. He could have been wearing a heavy cloak (it would have been cool in the garden the night before). But what would be the fourth item; Prayer shaw? A belt?
Stuart

Psalm 141

I read this psalm in one minute. Verses 5 and 6 should describe the desire of our hearts; help me avoid evil words and deeds. Notice that David didn't stop his prayer with that request. He gave God the permission to use the righteous people around to correct David. If this came from David's mouth while he was seated on the throne in Jerusalem, there would have been many heads turned toward him in shock on that day. I picture David singing this song as he approached his throne in the morning; praying in song for guidance through the trials he would hear. There were guards at the door to his throne room, but David needed a holy guard to watch his words of judgement. There were look outs on the wall of the city to alert the army of an impending attack, but David knew his greatest enemy would seek to ruin David by luring him to utter destructive words. So David sought a watchman for his speech. Some of David's judgments would have been 39 strike with a rod, but this king preferred that the righteous strike him with correction of his ways. When just judgment was rendered against David, then he knew God continued to watch over him.
Stuart

John 16-18

It took almost 20 minutes to read this passage.  When Jesus began his prayer, recorded in John 17, he made a request to the Father in verse 5: “Now, Father, glorify me alongside yourself.  Give me the same glory I had with you before the world existed.”  I know that Jesus was fully divine and fully human.  I know that Jesus understood his purpose was to suffer terribly and die a horrible death on a cross.  But he place his faith in the promise that he would rise again; that the pain and humiliation would be temporary.  I am wondering if his knowledge of his glory before the world began was an expression of faith, or a recollection of memory?  Why does it matter to me?  Did he have memory of his glorified time in Heaven or was he speaking with faith in a similar manner that we do when we speak of our future glory in Heaven?

Stuart

Psalms 140

It took a couple minutes to read this psalm. David began this psalm with a plead for deliverance from God. It seemed that all of his life David faced troubles brought to him by the hands of evil men. First it was lions and bears, but they caused trouble because of hunger. Men cause trouble because of prideful sin. Goliath, Saul, the Philistines, and the list of names grows from there.  David learned and lived as a man after God's heart in the midsts of repeated trials. He live one day at a time for God's glory. So should we.
Stuart

John 13-15

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.  After washing the feet of those eating with him, I suppose that it was over 100 people, and Jesus took his time and washed every foot; more than 200 feet, 1,000 toes.  I can’t imagine the duration that such a task took.  There may have been people who got up during the meal to use the toilet or get more food.  I imagine that Jesus may have even re-washed some of the feet.  But there wasn’t a single toe left un-washed; not one foot that didn’t receive his full attention.  That is the picture that I have of this event.  Then he asked all of them a question; “Do you understand what I have done to you?”  He served them; all of them.  Jesus had already chose to lower himself once to become a man, now he lowered himself even more to reach out to the least attended parts of the least significant people as a servant.  The feet that were washed by the LORD, washed the feet of others, who washed the feet of others, who washed the feet of others.  We are those who inherited servant-hood through the service of others.  Do we really understand what Jesus did to us?

Stuart

John 10-12, Psalms 138-139

The passage in John I read yesterday in about 20 minutes. The two psalms I just completed in about 5 minutes. In Psalm 139 David reminds us that no matter where we are, or the condition in which we find ourselves God is there with us. If men one day travel amongst the stars God will be there with them. He is NOT like the god's that we created; limited to our imaginations. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8) Nothing can seperates us from God; neither death nor life, neither angels or deamons, neither the presentnor the future, neither powers above nor powers below, nor anything in all creation. (Romans 8:38-39)
Stuart

John 7-9

It took about 20 minutes to read this passage in two settings. In chapter 5 of John's Gospel we meet a man who had been crippled for 38 years. John makes no mention that he ask for Jesus to heal him, or that he even knew who Jesus was. God lead Jesus to that pool and prompted him the interact and heal the man. This man lived his life blaming other people for all his problems. He was not willling to stand firm on the truth and rejected the gift that he had been given from Jesus' hand.  In chapter 9 we meet another man. Though we're not told how old he was, John makes it clear that he had lived with his blindness all his life. Once again John makes no mention that he ask for Jesus to heal him, or that he even knew who Jesus was. God lead Jesus near that pool and prompted him the interact and heal the man. This man lived his life on what he knew. He was willling to stand firm on the truth and recognized the gift that he had been given from Jesus' hand. What a contrast of men's character.
Stuart

John 4-6, Psalm 137

It took about 20 minutes in two settings to read the passage in John, and a minutes to read the psalm.. One of the verses in John's gospel that speak volumes about Jesus' trials is 4:6; Jesus was tired. His trip had wore him out. They must have been hurrying out of the area of Judea so they rested little. There may have been many reservations to stopping in a Samaritan village, but they were hungry. Jesus rested outside of town. But even as he rested he became aware of God's providence to plant a seed among these people of Samaria.
Then in the psalm, obviously not written by David, I am reminded of the slave spirituals of America. We want to sing joyful songs, but our captivity is terrible. Regardless, we will praise God. Two examples of praising God even in the midst of trials.
Stuart

John 1-3 and Psalm 136

The passaage in John took about 15 minutes to read, while the psalm took only a couple of minutes. I know that I often put the emphasis of chapter 3 in John's gospel on Jesus' conversation with Nichodemas, but there is another conversation in that chapter that is worth noting; between John the Baptist and some of his followers. I wonder if John set out to gather together disciples. He was not like other rabbi's who would train group after group of disciples. He knew his task was short; even though he did not know God's time line. But everytime he was asked a question, by anyone, he knew the answer: I am not the one! The answer he gave his followers was a powerful example of a person who understood his gifts;"He must increase, I must decrease."
Psalm 136 speaks repeating one of the most powerful message of the psalms; God's love endures forever.
Stuart

Ezekiel 46-48, Psalms 133-135

I read the passage in Ezekiel this morning, but didn't take the time to enter the record until now. It took me about 20 minutes to read this. The time was somewhat longer because I read it outload to my Dad as we drove on vacation: he was driving and I was reading. What struck me most was the details which God prompted Ezekiel to record. The temple and the inheritance divisions were not a whim. God planned these out in fantastic details, which he passed on to Israel through Ezekiel.
The three psalms I read took less than 5 minutes to read. They were a contrast of points. The first extol the greatness of God. The last points out the foolishness of following idols of our own making. Psalm 136:18 could be summarized as: we grow to resemble the object of our worship.
Stuart

Ezekiel 43-45

It took about 15 minutes to read this passage. In 44 verse 19 God warns Ezekiel to restrict to priests in regard to where they wear their ministerial clothing. This was neccessary so that they "won't transmit holiness to the people by means of their clothing." I know that I have a hard time with that thought on this side of the cross. But I'm sure Ezekiel and those of Israel who understood the Law could grasp God's point. We forget that the Law was present to teach about the need for grace. Through the Law God provided a means to roll back sins, but people where still seperated from God's presence. I believe this lesson, along with many others, was given to teach us the need for Jesus' sacrifice; which would provide complete access to God for all people of faith.
Stuart

Ezekiel 41-42

This took about 15 minutes to read. This is a continuation of Ezekiel's vision of the temple. I noticed the repeated mention of the carving of palm trees and seraphims. Both are everywhere in this temple,
Stuart

Psalm 132

This is a longer song of ascent. It isn't attributed to David, but God's promise to him is the theme of the song. Because of David's pursuit of God, he was given the promise of being the predesessor to God's anointed one.(Emphasis on one). There was kingly DNA that made up Jesus' body. Maybe Jesus had a resemblance to his earthly ancestor. God spoke with foreknowledge about what would happen over the centuries after David slept in death. And this psalm writer caught a small glimps of what God was planning to do: something wonderful.
Stuart

Ezekiel 38-40

It took about 20 minutes to read this passage. Chapters 38 and 39 deal with the proclamation against Gog. This is followed by the beginning of Ezekiel's vision of the temple. The vision may have been intended to send encouragement to the people of Israel; who have another 45 years of exile to complete.
Stuart

Psalms 130-131

David's two songs of ascent carry two simple messages; "I am depending on you, my God" and "I am your helpless child, my God." Are ther better attitudes to bring with us into worship? Is there a greater idea to keep in mind as we walk through life? It took about 5 minutes to read these two psalms.
Stuart

Ezekiel 34-37

It took me about 25 minutes to read this passage.  Chapter 34 is a passage that should be studied by all church leaders and members.  In the context Ezekiel is speaking God’s condemnation on the leaders of Israel and the “bullies” of the house of Judah.  It should be studied by Christians to see the principles where the leaders and dominate members of the community were failing.  Verse 4 speaks to the leaders, of their responsibilities to the flock: strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bandage the broken, bring back the outcasts, and seek the lost.  The failure to do these things results in a broken, scattered, and ineffective flock.  As for we who are sheep, we need to be sure we are not trampling down the food and muddying the drinking water (vs 18).  That we are not using our spiritual “weight” to push the weak aside or butting them out of our way (vs 20).  (Shades of Paul’s words in Romans 14)

Stuart

Ezekiel 32-33

It took about 15 minutes to read this passage. Chapter 32 mentions many nations. Though we often focus only on the one nation of Israel as we read the Law, God shows that he is concerned about the people of the nations as well. His focus is not limit to those people in the Mosaic covenant. God was looking forward to that new covenant that he would complete on the cross, to bring ALL people to his throne.
Stuart

Ezekiel 31, Psalm 128-129

It took about 10 minutes to read these passages.
Ezekiel once again speaks against the arrogance of Egypt. He speaks more words of the sorrow that will come upon Egypt, a land of coming desolation.
The words of the Psalmist speak words of blessing and rescue from that God willl provide for those who seek after his ways.
Stuart

Psalm 127

This is a very short psalm, so it took no time to read. The whole message is summarized in verse 1. To paraphrase: work is pointless unless God is involved. The implications and applications of these 5 verses are very extensive. It is a good psalm to ponder.
Stuart

Ezekiel 27-30

It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage. Chapters 27 and 28 speak of the judgement and coming punishment against Tyre and Sidon. Chapter 29 deals with two visions regarding the kingdom of Egypt; the first in the 12th year of captivity, and the second in the 27th year. Then chapter 30 deals with Egypt again, maybe a continuation of the second vision. These are messages of woe and terror. The Gospel is so much more pleasant to discuss. Yet the reaction we receive today is very similar to the reaction of Ezekiel's listeners.
Stuart