Proverbs 20

It took me about 2 minutes to read through these observations of Solomon. Twice Solomon mentions honest business practices; vss 10 & 23. God condemns the practice of preferential pricing and different scales. Knowing that these affect everybody God wants his people to be ethical in their business practices. Hard work is to be the source of reward in business, not dishonest scheming.  There are other verses in this chapter that address the same truths as well.
Stuart

Judges 13-15

It took about 12 minutes to read the first part of Samson’s life.  After Samson had grown and began to show the strength that God had given him, he attacked the fields of the Philistines, and burnt them down.  When the army of the Philistines threatened Israel, the leaders refused to see God working through Samson.  All they saw were the threats of the Philistines.  They had become so used to captivity that they were no longer living in the hope of God.  In an attempt to placate their oppressors the turned over Samson to the Philistines.  But God would let no one stand between him and his deliverance; not even the people of his covenant.  Samson won a great victory that day because he depended upon God, even though all the people of faith around him didn’t depend on God.

Stuart

Proverbs 19

It took almost three minutes to read this collection of proverbs; not because there are many words, but because they deserve some time to soak in. The last words of this chapter caught my attention, because there have been times when I have needed and received that "slap to the face." What I am wondering is how foolish am I? There is no question that I have acted foolishly and God provided the necessary slap to get my attention. There are many wise words recorded in this passage, and the greatest expression of folly would be for me to ignore them all.
Stuart

Judges 9-12

It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage.  There were a number of judges mentioned in this passage but the stories of two leaders are covered in some detail; Abimelech and Jephthah.  The two men have similar origins; born to a women not their father’s wife.  Abimelech used his differences to seek superiority over his relatives and ruled them ruthlessly.  In the end he met the same fate that he had meted out.  Jephthah sought to work within God’s will, and he kept his word even to the point of pain.  Two men who began life with the same disadvantage in their time in, and yet they lived their lives at complete extremes in relationship to God; the first seeking only his will and the second pursuing the God of Israel.

Stuart

Proverbs 18

It took me a couple minutes to read this collection of wisdom. This list consists of a number of observations about our speech. But the proverb of verse 18 is different. It speaks, indirectly, of our surrender to God's grace. How many conflicts have been settle by God through lots? How willing are we to surrender to God's will in an arguement when that will is displayed through a "game of chance"? Do we really trust God enough to let him use the foolishness of a die or coin to reveal the plans of the almighty? Solomon's would have encouraged us to follow such a path.
Stuart

Judges 6-9

It took me about 13 minutes to read the story of Gideon time as judges over Israel.  There was a movie released in the spring of 2007 bearing the title “300”.  It was a story of bravery in the face of certain defeat, commitment to your comrades and country, and setting an example in your lifestyle.  It was a dramatized version of the best accounts of what happened to the 300 Spartans who held back a Persian invasion of Greece led by king Xerxes.  The story of Gideon precedes the events depicted in the movie by a number of years, but presents many of the same truths.  One big difference is the role that faith plays in the part of this decisive battle.  The men whom God chose to fight this battle certainly displayed bravery in the face of certain defeat.  Their positions for the battle, on the tops of the hills surrounding the camp, were advantageous, but their small numbers limited every military advantage they had.  Gideon’s 300 displayed their commitment to the God of gods by doing what their leader said.  They knew the risks of defying the army of Midian, but they followed Gideon with great faith.  The 300 of God also displayed a lifestyle worth modeling; they obeyed God’s command, and fought with an undeterred passion.  The other great contrast between the two groups of 300 was the outcome.  The 300 Spartan warriors fought bravely, and provided the time need to turn back the invasion of Greece planned by the Persians, but at the end of the battle they had all be killed.  The 300 warriors with Gideon routed an army that by Biblical accounts was 500 times their size and better equipped.  They also expelled that army from the land they had invaded.  The difference in the outcomes is all about God.  With God; nothing is impossible.

Stuart

Psalm 71

It took me almost 3 minutes to read this psalm. I like the idea presented at the begining of the psalm; I run to God, a decision I'll never regret. There are many choices I have run toward in my life; some of which brought pain and guilt. But there are also a few goals toward which I've run that have been a source of great joy.  Seeking after Christ has never led me to regret. It has moved my to sorrow, and frustration with myslef. Following Christ has led me to some painful choices, but the further past the decision I've lived the more thankful I have been regarding most of the pathes I've taken. Even today, in my life, the beginning of this psalm speaks great comfort and encouragement to me.
Stuart

Judges 4-5

It took me about 10 minutes to read the story of God's victory under Deborah's leadership. The song of Deborah end witha curse and a blessing. A curse upon all of those who oppose God and his plans. The curse implies not only an end to their resistance, but and end to their threats as well. We may be tempted to claim the same curse for those who fight against God's church, but to do so would miss the ministry of Christ. Our desire should be to lead the enemies of God, among who all Christians can claim former kinship, into a love relationship with God. Then we can claim the blessings of Debrorah's song for all people: shining forth like the sun.
Stuart

Psalm 70

It only took me a minute to read this psalm singing David's desperation. It is a short song that David may have repeated during the numerous times of terror that he faced. When the darkness of night watching the flock seemed too dark did David call out with the psalm. As David picked up those 5 stones did he hum this tune outloud? When the battle was pressing in did the future king of Israel sing these words? When Saul's army of vengance got too close were these the words David whispered under his breath? The words penned display not only the sense of urgency, but also the outlandish dependance upon God to deliver. Though he fought his enemies and fled from those seeking his life David left the control of life and death to the author of life.
Stuart

Judges 1-3

It took me about 12 minutes to read this passage.  A few years ago Chuck Swindoll wrote a book called “Living above the level of mediocrity”.  It was a Bible study on the plans of excellence that God has laid out for his people.  And God has always worked that way for his people.   His first habitation for the humans he created was a place of excellence.  But Adam and Eve chose to compromise God’s excellence.  When they ate the forbidden fruit they chose mediocrity.  The beginning chapters of Judges shows the continual human tendency to rebellion and mediocrity.  Israel had been given the promise of a land with no enemies.  It was all a part of God’s plan of excellence.  But once the tribes had been given their inheritance, and had acquired all that they needed at the time they compromised.  They decided to settle down with what they had rather than pursue the excellence God had planned for them.  After Israel continue to reject God’s plans God acted, and withdrew his promise to remove Israel’s enemies.  God also has excellence planned for Christians.  We need to be willing to act on faith to receive what he is offering us.

Stuart

Psalm 69

It took me nearly 4 minutes to read this lament of David. It seems to me that a number of David's writings echo the feelings expressed by Job. There is a pattern of announcing the misery of his circumstances, followed by a call to God; for mercy or intervention. Finally David writes a phrase of praise to his God and ruler. Whether David was king at this point in his life is not clear. But this point is clear; David gleaned from his struggles a picture of how the King of kings ruled over a hurting people. David took these lessosns to heart, and applied them, as best he could, to his rule as king.
Stuart

Psalm 68

It took about 5 minutes for me to read this psalm of David. Verses 5 and 6 caught my attention. David list four groups of people who were outcast and forgotten in his day, as well as mine. Orphans, widows, the homeless, and prisoners. I know that I have been guilty of generalizing the circumstances that has found each person in each circumstance. But that is an unrealistic assessment on my part. The story for each orphan is unique. The loss of each husband or every widow is told in a myrad of stories. How one person ends up homeless is quite different from others, and then there are the prisoners; locked up where they belong. God is always on the side of the forsaken, the marginialized, and those cast aside by their culture. We need to allow God to give us his heart as we deal with each one of these forgotten people groups.
Stuart

Matthew 26-28

It took me a little over 15 minutes to read the end of Matthew's Gospel.  I wonder how Matthew learned to the details of the Caiaphas those last few days of Holy Week. There is no question that God could have revealed the hidden workings of this secret star chamber. But it could have been told to the believers by a member of that inner circle of betrayal who later surrendered to the calling of. Christ. The accounts in 26:3-5, 27:3-10, 62-66, and 28:11-15 where all concluded outside of Jesus' presence, and certainly away from the presence of his closest followers. We may never know, but I hope that a member of that selfish group eventually accepted the total forgiveness that Jesus offers, and confessed his murderous the belivevers.
Stuart

Psalm 67

Sixty seconds was plenty of time to read this psalm. I see the words of someone who loves God. These words point out that our God, who is wonderful in his deeds, does not hide his hand from those who seek him. Even this psalmist living under the Law grasped that God was seeking all the people. No one in the world could miss God's wonder and his works of salvation; unless they chose to do so. All the ends of the earth honor God. The works of his nature are on display so that no one has an excuse. That's how Paul summarized to the Roman Christians in chapter 1 verse 20 of that book.
Stuart

Matthew 23-25

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.  In verse 2 of Matthew 23 Jesus compliments and condemns the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees. It is an appropriate warning to all teacher of God's word. I ask myself these questions as well;
Do I succeed in grasping God's true lesson and not apply it to myslef?
Do I seek to allow God's word to convict but reject the conviction he is laying on me?
Which is my greatest concern in teaching; to not look foolish, or to not get God's point across?
I'm sure this was part of Jesus' teaching that James had in mind when he said; "Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only." (James 1:23)
Stuart

Psalm 66

It took me about 2 minutes to read this psalm. The psalmist points out how God leads us through difficult times. He may even take us into those difficult situations with the hope of building us into the individuals, and community, that he desires. The times may seem unbareable, but the last comment ab out God gives us reason to hope through the difficulties; God is loyal in his love. There will never be any wavering on his part. His love will be our constant companion. He will never allow his children to walk somewhere alone. Because of his grace he will walk with us even when we sin. (Though he does set his limits.) The psalmist says that God's loyal love is more dependable then I often give him credit.
Stuart

Matthew 21_22

It took me about 10 minutes to read this. As I read the parable of the tenants in the Message a thought struck me; I could become the selfish tenants. I could rob God of control of his church, and try to do things my way. That is what Jesus was pointing out that the Jews had done. We could become guilty of the same thing. Historically the church trough the ages has had periods where they were the selfish tenants. I think that I need to evaluate my reasons for all the things I do in the Kingdom, and make sure that they line up with God's intentions for me in his Kingdom.
Stuart

Psalm 65

I spent almost 2 minutes reading David's reflective words in this psalm. From reading this I picture David out in the wild someplace. Far away from the noise of the city, even from the hustle of the family homestead. David may have spend some time in silent wonder of God's creation. As he took in the sights and sounds of what God had made he heard it all crying out to him; "Worship God!!" That's when I picture the song forming on David's lips. That's when he calls out that obedience is not the last form of worship. Neither is silence. But both ARE true expressions of our worship of God.  For when we are silent it is then that we allow God's creation to teach us another lesson about his nature.
Stuart

Matthew 18-20

It took me about 10 minutes to read tjis passage. The first part of chapter 20 is a parable that explains grace in such a wonderful way. It shows that no matter how much effort we put into God's Kingdom the resulting grace is just the same. Those who are gifted and capable of noticable work receive the same measure of grace as those who are simple and what we might call "limited" in their gifting. The responce of every Christian should be thanksgiving for God's generousity.
Stuart

Psalm 64

It took me 1 minute to read this psalm of David. How much of David's life was filled with accusations against him? David's oldest brother accused him of laziness and making sport of a battle (1 Sam. 17:28). Saul accused David of trying to take "his" kingdom (1 Sam. 20:30-31). The accusations continued through out his life. But how did he respond? By turning to God; his refuge, his shield, his defender. David believed that only God could bring about true justice to his accusers.
Stuart

Matthew 16-17

It took me about 7 minutes to read this passage. The devine mission of Jesus was revealed to the twice in this part of Matthew. Both times he tld hisa followers to not speak these truths to others until after his resurrection. (16:20, 17:9) These are truths we now take for granted, but they were withheld for the larger group of disciples until after Jesus was glorified. What was it about Jesus' devinity that caused him to restrain his closest followers? Maybe they weren't ready to stand up to the attacks that would come with such a proclamation. Maybe such a public statement would have stirred up the Zealots and started an all out war against Rome. I don't know for sure, but this I know there were three who had seen a physically glorified Jesus before he went to the cross. And there were at least 12 who clearly heard the confession and and acknowlegdement of his messianic status before his passion. These men all understood that it was God's chosen one who was nailed to a tree that fateful Friday. That explains a lot about the lives they lived after that.
Stuart

Psalms 62 & 63

I am a couple days behind on the psalms so I read these two of David in about 5 minutes. In psalm 62 David presents a re-occurring theme of waiting on God for as long as it takes. I don't think that means idleing away the time until God provides. I think David means he work at a task knowing that his strength can't complete it, but confident that God can and will.  God supplies all our needs (vs 1) and he fulfills all our hopes (vs 5).
Psalm 63 was written by David in the wildreness. That he refers to himself as king (vs 10) indicates that this psalm was written after the death of Saul. Yet it's not clear to me whether this trip into the wilderness was one of neccessity, adventure, conquest, or to get away to a quiet place to be alone with God. Regardless of what led him to the wilderness David recognized as a place to worship God. All that God has enabled David to do is offered up as an act of worship.  The king mentions; speaking, breathing, and waving his arms. Even in the restless nights without sleep David is drawn to God in praise. We, like this ancient king of faith, should seek to be glad in God.
Stuart

Matthew 14-15

It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage.  I know that I often forget what else was going on in Jesus’ life when certain “big” events occurred.  Matthew records two of those “big” events in chapter 14; the feeding of 5,000 and walking on the water.  I had forgotten the emotional and spiritual struggle that Jesus was facing at that time; the execution of John the Baptist.  Verse 14:13 starts with Jesus receiving the news about John’s murder.  Jesus sought a quiet place to pray.  When they sailed to a quiet place so that Jesus could mourn and pray.  But the curious and hurting people around the sea had other plans.  When the crowd saw Jesus they followed him and interrupted his time with God.  In that desolate place, with a growing and uninvited crowd, I think that Jesus gave us the best picture of how the church should work.  Jesus gave.  In his sorrow he allowed God to give him peace by serving other people.  While his thirst for a time of prayer cried out to be satisfied Jesus spent time with the very people he had been sent to teach and help.  We should gather together not to receive, but to give.  If we receive something in the process then it is a bonus.  Hours later, after all the followers had been taught, the people fed, the closest disciples sent off, and the crowd sent home, Jesus received what he had sought; time alone with God. 

Stuart

Psalm 61

It only took a minute to read this psalm of David, the king. There must have been a number of times when David wanted somebody of higher authority with whom he could discuss judgements. But he had faith that God would lead him in righteousness during his reign. So he opened the door for God to judge his kingdom. David granted the Almighty a permenant audience in his throne room. He not only asked God to bring down judgement on those who sought David's undoing, he asked God to provide the wisdom any ruler would need to lead a people. That was even more important as a leader of the people of faith.
Stuart

Matthew 13

It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage. (it’s not that long, but I had a hard time getting through it)

I’m not a fisherman, so the third description of God’s Kingdom in 13:47 is not directly familiar to me; though I know that it was to Jesus’ listeners.  A net would be full of all kinds of fish; those that are good (clean to the Jews) and those that are bad (unclean).  The same is true about the Kingdom; there are people who are good (made clean by their faith and the work of God’s grace) and those that are bad (they show up to meetings, but have no faith, heart, or desire to grow in their love for God).    Being a part of God’s Kingdom is not about attendance, location, and timing, it is about faith, grace, and dependence upon God. 

Stuart

Matthew 11-12

It took me 10 minutes to read this passage. I really like the translation of 12:7 in the Message: "I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual." God inspired David with the idea of a contrite heart (psalm 51:17); one that is broken of self. But Jesus wants more than a heart broken from self, his desire is for a heart pliable by God to reach people in every circumstance of life. Too often I have held on to rituals because I was comfortable with them, but I think that Jesus call us to a life of faith, not comfort. It is faith the God will use to bring about his greatness in our lives and through our circumstances.
Stuart

Matthew 8-10

It took me nearly 20 minutes, with a number of interruptions, to read this passage.  The Roman Centurion in Capernaum is hardly someone we would consider a model of faith.  They acted as prosecutor, defender, judge, jury, and executioner all with the wave of their hand.  In the field it was their “rule” that was final.  We might even accuse them of having a “god complex” feeling that they had complete control over the lives of many people.  The Centurion whom Matthew writes about in 8:5-13 certainly sounds like that type of man.  He is used to the orders given to the soldiers under his command and the slaves he owned acted upon immediately.  But he also indicates that he lives his life in the same way; when he receives an order from his superior he acts upon it immediately.  So it was not a big theological leap for this man to take one step up the ladder from Caesar; he too had faith in the God of Israel.  Whether he understood that Jesus was God or only that Jesus had access to God’s ear this Centurion took his request to the highest authority in the world.  He knew that if his request to the almighty was acceptable then it would be acted upon, immediately.  Jesus praised his faith, and answered his request.  This Centurion teaches us that faith is much more than intellectual acknowledgement of who God  is.  Faith is expressed in the response of obedience to God’s command.

Stuart

Matthew 5-7

It took me about 20 minutes to read the sermon on the mount.  The rendering of this in the Message is a different approach to the sermon.  I thought it was interesting how the crowd was described in the first part of chapter 5: “..the committed, climbed with him.” and “..he sat down and taught his climbing companions.”  I think Jesus often does that to me as well.  He is ready to teach but he wants me to reach a new level before he’ll teach me more.  It’s not that I have to elevate myself to a higher spiritual plane, but rather I need to reach the level for which he has already enabled me.  Those who followed Jesus to the mountain, needed to climb up to where he had led them.  This required a certain level of determination and commitment to expose them to the teacher.  The same thing is true today.  Jesus may want to teach me more about fasting, so I have to start fasting in order for him to teach me more.  Jesus may be leading me toward proclaiming the Gospel, so I have to take tentative steps before he will teach me more about his work through his words.  I don’t think Jesus’ teaching methods have changed much in 2,000 years.

Stuart

Psalm 60

It took me about 2 minutes to read this psalm of David. David had cried out to God at a time when all seemed lost for Israel. But God had other plans. By his strength he brought about the victory for Israel. He turned the enemies of his people into nothingness. Even though God provided this victory we know that there were more enemies to come against Israel.  Why would we think it might be any different now for Christians. We look around and it seems hopeless for the church in our culture. But we need to remember that in his time God will show himself victorious through the church. But there will continue to be enemies of Christ coming after us. We must hod true to God, and wait for him to act. Just like David did.
Stuart

Matthew 1-4

Eugene Peterson brought a new idea to me on the motivation of Jesus' 40 day fast. The Message says this in the first part of chapter 4; "Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights." I think that maybe I don't have a right perspective on fasting. Jesus might have know what lay ahead in the wilderness. He may have understood the power of our enemy. Regardless of whether the 40 day fast preceeded the test or was a part of the test Jesus took it serious. Though the fast left him physically hungery he was spiritually prepared for the battle he undertook.
Stuart

Psalm 59

It took me about 2 minutes to read this psalm. The introduction to the psalm says David wrote this while hiding in his house as King Saul's assassins closed in on him. There are probably fewer things more terrifying then to realize you are a target in your own house. David's father-in-law sought his life because of his jealousy. David's wife gave him the opportunity to escape with his life by claiming he was sick in bed. David might have felt abandoned by God, but there is no mention of a perceived absence from David's pen. Like so many other psalms David ends the song with a stanza of praise and admiration of God's nature. He refers to God's love as dependable. David had experienced God's dependable love fequently by this time of his life, and he continued to expect God's love to shine through; even as he fled from his house and his wife. That leads to a question I need to ask myself when the status quo of my life is threated: am I trusting in God to deliver in his way on his schedule?
Stuart

Joshua 22-24

It took me 20 minutes to finish the book of Joshua.  Joshua set up a memorial at Shechem; a very large rock.  There was a large oak tree there and that is where Joshua had the rock moved.  Joshua, speaking for God, had challenged the people to worship God and him only, forsaking all other gods.  They had agreed to the challenge and would set aside the worship of anything else and holding only to God.  What was the point of the rock?  It was a memorial.  Joshua personified the rock; “It has heard every word that God has said to us.  It is a standing witness against you….”.  I would assume that the rock was noticeably out of place there next to that oak tree.  People would realize the rock was out of place and ask about it.  Then the words of Joshua could be repeated to the questioner, and they would have the chance to agree to God’s challenge as well.  We may need to do the same things in our lives.  When we need a reminder of God’s call for us to be different from the world set up something that doesn’t belong.  Maybe it is a rock in the refrigerator, or a work-boot tied to the TV remote-control, or perhaps a staple-gun next to the vanity mirror.  God may want us to put something that is obviously out of place in the middle of a common space in our lives to remind us of the charge to be holy in his sight.  It might be worth a try.  You never know who may ask you about it, and then you’ll have an opportunity to tell them about Jesus’ sacrifice.

Stuart

Psalm 58

It took me just a couple of minutes to read these words of David. I'm not sure what David's age when he wrote this passage, but it is apparent from his opening comments that politics in David's time were not so dissimilar from 21st century politics in the USA. I think that God is showing us that the nature of politicians, who are a reflection of the people they rule, hasn't changed over the centuries. We might hope that mankind has given up our cruelties and savagry, but God used David's word to show us that such a hope is baseless. But there is another lesson that David offers us in this song: God doesn't change either. As he was gracious to his people of faith during David's life, so he continues to display his favor on his people in these last days. That is a foundation upon which we can safely build our hope.
Stuart

Joshua 19-21

It took me about 11 minutes to read this passage.  The most important point is found in the last verse of chapter 21; “Not one word failed from all the good words God spoke to the house of Israel.”  Centuries before God had promised Abraham the land as an inheritance.  About 46 years earlier God had promised Moses and the slaves in Egypt that he was about to give them a land of abundance.  Five years before he had given Moses a glimpse of the land.  But it wasn’t until this time, toward the end of Joshua’s life that God fulfilled his promise.  Nothing he had promised failed to come about.  It was more than a good story it was an amazing accomplishment from a human perspective.  But too often we overlook God’s involvement in the delivery of promises, and that is exactly why Israel had possession of most of the land and the prospects for the rest of the land looked promising.  The promises that God has made for the people of his new covenant are just a sure.  The day is coming when we will speak the words of Joshua; “Not one word failed from all the good words God spoke….”

Stuart

Psalm 57

It took me about 2 minutes to read this song from king David's pen. In my mind I see the "pride" of warriors surrounding the man whom they believe to be Gods's choice for king, sitting in the depths of a dark, damp cave. Their leader's command was to hide. To stay in the cave and pray that God would lead Saul and his army past the cave. What a silly order to give a group of fighting men. That's as foolish as telling an army to march around a city and blow trumpets as weapons. Or as unproductive and encircling an army 300 times the size of yours, and yelling with torches in your hand as your offensive. I also picture David starting to hum a tune as they waited in the dark. Quietly humming a new tune. Surely the warriors who had fought with David found comfort in the tune. They knew that their king was praising the King of all kings. They had seen multiple times how God always delivered when David praised God. And David always praised God.
Stuart

Psalm 56

It only took me a couple of minutes to read this psalm; composed by David the prisoner. I wonder if this was the apostle Paul's psalm too. All of those early leader understood what it meant to take up their cross and follow Jesus in his suffering. Paul's writing on the subject is very claer. Though he doesn't display the emotions of David, the same feelings must have been there. David makes it clear in this psalm that he and Paul shared the same response to imprisonment; turn to God and give him praise.(Vs 4 in the psalm, and Acts 16:25 for Paul) Taking a lesson from these two men of faith we need to remember to do the same when we face trials abd prisons.
Stuart

Joshua 16-18

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. It dealt with the division of the land among the tribes. They divided the land that had been captured and the land that had not been captured.
Stuart

Psalm 55

It took me about 3 minutes to read this psalm. I wonder who David's betrayer was? An advisor? A brother? Some unnamed childhood friend who political views differently from his friend the king? We don't know the details. But one thing we do know; David trusted in God. Even when all the other relatonships around him turned sour David continued to seek out God. He steadfastly refused to let obstacles stay between himself and God. David repeated his confidence in God's justice and mercy.
Stuart

Joshua 13-15

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. In verses 6 and 7 of chapter 13 God tells Joshua to divide up the inheritence, even though there are still area that the army has not conquored. I believe this is the part of God's plan to slowly drive out the people of immorality to allow Israel time to take what God has given them. God is showing his faithfulness to Israel. He is making it clear to them, and to us, that when he gives his word he will keep it in his time.
Stuart

Psalm 54

"For your name's sake...." That is how David began his plea to God. God's annointed was in hiding from a man whom God has rejected, but David knew his life was still in danger. Once again David's hiding place had be betrayed to Saul. Once again David had to flee from God's people. Some how, in that desperate situation. David saw God's hand at work in his life. And David gave God the thanks and the worship. It only took me one minute to read this, but it is a clear reminder of the powerful ways that God works through every situation, even the bad ones, to bring about his will and our good.
Stuart

Joshua 10-12

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. In 10:13 Joshua mentions the writiings of another person; Jashar. I've nev er done any research on Jashar but I have an idea why Joshua mentions him: as a witness. When was the last time wekve heard of the earth's revolution stopping? God knew it would be unbelievable. But he also knew that other people woud record the event. He prompted Joshua to record it so that one day all people on earth would know how powerful God is, and how intently he listens to his people.
Stuart

Psalm 53

It took a little more than 1 minute to read this psalm of David. I wonder how many times David encounter the attitude that speaks; "God is dead!"? I wonder how many in Israel voices this same hopeless phrase. From David's point of view they seemed to use their fatalistic theory to justify their abuse of others. What ever the circumstance was that moved David to write, he responded in a familar way; by turning the situation over to God. David knew that God is more than able to defend his name, and his honor. And he would do so in the most loving way possible. Such love is really the only antidote for the spirit that pronounces the death of God.
Stuart

Joshua 7-9

It took me about 17 minutes to read this passage. The deception of Israel by the people of Gibeon is an example of how God allows his people to exercise free will. Even though it was contrary to God's plans, keeping the new oath that Israel had made with Gibeon became just as important as God's plan. If the had rejected the oath they would have violated the 3rd command, making the name of God empty in power by nullifying the oath thay had taken in his name. Israel had placed themselves between a rock and a hard place. They would suffer the long term consequences of allowing an idolaterous people to live in their midsts in order to honor God's name before that people by keeping their oath. That is a lesson for Christians to watch how we speak; that we will always seek to honor God.
Stuart

Psalm 52

I read this psalm in less than 1 minute. Then I read it again. This is one of the psalms that David wrote that details some of the events that led David to write this psalm. David's hiding place had been revealed. Then David knew that not only was his life in jepardy, but he may have understood a possible threat to Ahimelech's family from Saul. One message I see in this psalm is to leave room for God to do his work. It's always my first tendency to ask where do I fit into a plan. But David seemed to always be looking for the way and place where God will fit in. And God always will fit into our plans; if we let him.
Stuart

Joshua 4-6

It took me 10 minutes to read this part of the conquest of the Promised Land.  All expressions of faith begin by walking toward the task God sets before us.  God has told Israel to march into their inheritance and take it.  By faith they began walking; armed and ready to battle their enemies.  Their eyes of flesh looked ahead of them and saw a flood swollen river, but their faith insisted that they keep marching.  So they marched on.  God had told Joshua what would happen, and the new leader of Israel may have told the people what would happen, but no one had ever seen anything like this.  At the Red Sea the path was opened and then the people began their march across the seabed.  As the priests approached the Jordan there was no path.  The walked in faith that God would open a path when they needed it.  The path didn’t form when the priests were 100 feet from the water, or 50 feet, or 10 feet.  The path was not visible one step away from the water.  The path didn’t open until the priests set one foot down on what looked like river water.  Then God did something wonderful; he took the water away.  When the priest expected a wet foot, because of their faith, God provided dry ground.  With each step God revealed more dry ground.  God made the ground dry on both sides of the river, until the entire river was dry.  Why did God work in this way?  Joshua explained it to the people; “so that everyone around us would see God’s strength, and so that we will hold God in awe.”  That is the same reason God calls Christians to a walk of faith.

Stuart

Joshua 1-3

It took about 11 minutes for me to read to beginning of Joshua’s story.  God’s message went first to Joshua; the new leader of Israel.(he was not their ruler, but the one to lead them into the Promised Land) And this was the message: “Be strong and courageous.”  Twice in the first few verses of the book Joshua recorded those words from the Lord himself.  But in almost no time the message was also coming out of the mouths of Joshua’s followers.  The last words spoken in chapter one from the army men were; “Be strong and courageous.”  So I wonder where the call to faith is?  What about the call for holiness?  Joshua’s actions show that he was acting in faith and holiness.  God spoke to him, and Joshua heard.  God commanded him, and Joshua obeyed.  There were two men who had tread the ground on the other side of the Jordan before, and they were going in.  Their faith from 40 years previous had brought them to the brink of God’s provision fulfilled.  Joshua and Caleb were going back in among the giants.  Joshua has the faith.  He also was living a holy life.  During Moses’ leadership it was Joshua who stayed near the tent of meeting.  Moses had set apart Joshua for the service of God by changing his name from Hoshea.  Neither man may have known at the time that Joshua would eventually lead Israel on the last stage of their long journey to their inheritance.  Strength and courage are the attitudes we need to combine with the faith and holiness that God has given us.  With these things God will accomplish much in our lives.

Stuart

Psalm 51

It took me about 2 minutes to read this song, written while David was king over all of Israel. He wrote after years of leading in righteousness, after bringing the ark of God into Jerusalem, after humiliating himself before his people and before God. Something happened later in David's life: pride snuck in and took up residence. Soon David was acting like every other king he knew. When he saw something he wanted, he took it for himself. David's selfishness was no different than mine, but his means to fulfill his selfish desires exceeded mine considerably. It took Nathan, one of God's prophets who helped the king, to expose that pride and the sinful adultry it had produced.(2 Samuel 12:7) That's when David wrote this song. A broken and contrite heart before God catches his attention.
Stuart

James 3-5

It took me about 10 minutes to read the last part of the letter from James. In verse 17 of chapter 3 James lays out the characteristics of a life filled with godly wisdom. Eugene Peterson summarizes these characteristics with the phrase, “getting along with others.” That has been the mantra in my family since before I went to kindergarten; learning to get along with other people. First it was my siblings and cousins, and now it is my coworkers and church family. And not one time did God ever say that the process of cooperation would be easy or even enjoyable. But we need to view it as Jesus viewed the cross; not from the immediate selfish desires, but from obedience to God’s will. Repeatedly, throughout scripture, we are called to be united, living in harmony, one people with the single focus of glorifying God. James pushed the thought just as strongly as Jesus and Paul did. Yet from my perspective the Church is too often more concerned with being “right”, then being submissive to God. I’ve been guilty of that before, and I’m sure I will be again. But that doesn’t justify the action or the end result of a divided Church. We all need to be aware that we don't create division for the sake of our passions.

Stuart

Psalm 50

It took less than 2 minutes to read this psalm that Asaph wrote. In verses 7-15 God lays out the big differnce between his desires and the "desires" of idols. He needs none of the animals that are sacrificed to him. What he desires most is the words of praise from those who follow him. Promises kept from those who speak to him, and a heart that is really dependant on his strength at all times. The same message is still true today. God doesn't need our money, time, or programs. He is glad to receive them from cheerful hearts desiring to please and serve him. What he desires most of all is our praise, promises kept, and dependant hearts.
Stuart

James 1-2

It took me about 10 minutes to read the introduction of James’ letter.  Eugene Peterson’s rendering of James 1:2 is eye-opening; “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.”  Our culture is suffering adverse.(although I’m not sure that this aversion is limited to North America)  I have noticed in my own life, and among others, when things in life go wrong we are shaken, and downcast.  But the Holy Spirit prompted James to give us God’s view of difficulties; they reveal our true selves to ourselves and to everyone around us.  As the mechanism to reveal the work that God is doing in our life we have cause to rejoice; to receive difficulties as gifts from God.  If we really want to be clear in the expression of our Christian faith we need to wait for suffering.  When it comes, and it will come, we will shine as a city on a hill at night.  We will stand out in the midst of a suffering world and display God’s joy.  But to shine that brightly in the middle of suffering we will have to suffer first.  Like all other skills and gifts joy and faith while suffering is a learned exercise.  I wonder if the abuse, insults, and scourging that Jesus received were the tests that God used to prepare Jesus to face the cross? 

Stuart