Psalm 102

In verse 18 believers are given the charge to ensure that future generations know of God's faithfulness. "Write it down" is what the psalmist instructs the reader/singer. Make sure the record is obvious to those who follow after us. That brings to mind the question; what have I done to make sure that future generations will know about the ways which God fulfilled his promises.
Stuart

2 Chronicles 1-4

The early years of Solomon's reign shows the influence that David had on his life and his faith. Everything he did and all he spoke about centered on God. He went to the tabernacle tent to make free will and thanksgiving sacrifices in worship of God (1:2-6). In his letter to king Hiram (2:3-10) he spoke of the position, power, and splendor of God. He was following David's example of seeking God's heart.
Stuart

Psalm 101

This would be a wonderful psalm to find in the chambers of a judge, on the walls of a major, in the halls of congress. Every leader would do well to memorize this psalm and keep it in their hearts. It defines two parts of our lives; how we will act and with whom will we associate. Both of these outward indicators of righteousness grow out of the soil of a grace changed and forgiven heart. We are incapable of living out these traits on our own. I'm so thankful that God is willing to put these attitudes in my heart.
Stuart

1 Corinthians 15-16

The last statement of chapter 15 is one of encouragement and hope.  Paul encourages the readers to be secure and self controlled in their faith and also to keep up the work for which they have been equipped.  Then he concludes with a message of hope, “…nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless.”  A child visiting a nursing home in obedience to Jesus to reach out – useful in the Kingdom.  A young mother giving lemonade away at a church picnic – useful in the Kingdom.  Picking up trash beside the road wearing a Jesus t-shirt – useful in the Kingdom.  Telling a group of 5 year old kids about Jesus and Zachaeus – useful in the Kingdom.  Whatever it is that God has moved us to do will be useful in his Kingdom.  That says a lot about our God.

Stuart

Psalm 100

This short psalm has the protracted purpose of reminding us of some of God's great attributes. He is our creator, and our Father. He is our shepherd and he deserves all of our thanks for the abundance he has given us; including any physical possessions. He goodness and love will extend beyond this life.
Stuart

1 Corinthians 12-14

Paul says that there are two negative ways of looking at the members of the body; self debasing (12:14-20)and judgment of worth(12:21-24).  Neither of these is acceptable because the body belongs to Jesus.   We need to remember that our individual purpose in the body is to build up the entire body.  We often get caught on what “I” want rather than on what Jesus may want for his body.

Stuart

Psalm 99

Our God is holy. He is set apart from the ways of this world. He cannot be trapped by the lies of sinful people. He always renders right judgment and is never partial. Yet he is also ready to forgive the sins of those who seek him. That willingness to forgive is yet another example of his holiness.
Stuart

Psalm 98

The psalmist calls for creation to worship God with song, shouts, and clapping. Was this psalm on Jesus' mind as he walked into Jerusalem on the day of palms? I wonder if these words crossed his thoughts before he rebuked the teachers of the law with; "I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting." (Mark 19:40)
Stuart

1 Corinthians 6-8

In chapter 7 verse 25 Paul responds to a question that the believers in Corinth passed on to him.  Whether this question was presented in person or in a letter written to Paul is not clear.  What is clear is the basic subject of their question; What relationships should unmarried believers pursue?  If I read the passage correctly Paul expresses his opinion about the matter in verses 26 through 40.  What caught my attention was the Paul said there is no command from the Lord on this matter.  God has opened our relationships to the rule of free will.  If we choose to have intimate relationships with someone of the opposite sex that is OK with God.  If we choose not to be intimate with another that is OK, so long as it is within the context of marriage.  What I see Paul stressing as most important is that we conform to God plan and remain self-disciplined in our lives. 

Stuart

Psalm 97

The last thought in this psalm is a powerful lesson that I need to hear over and over again. "Remember what the holy God has done, and give him thanks." How quickly I forget all that God has done in my life. But I also forget the faithfulness he worked in the lives of those saints who lived before me; whose actions bore fruit that I now enjoy. When I forget the battles that were fought before my life began and the victories that God provided I also neglect to give him the thanks that he deserves. Forgetting is not the practice of a soul in pursuit of God's heart. I need to remember and give thanks.
Stuart

1 Corinthians 3-5

It is easy to fall into the same patterns of loyalty as the Christians in Corinth. They put their loyalties in a preacher whom they liked. We do the same thing. But Paul sought to refocus our loyalty. Loyalty should not rest on any preacher, leader, author, or teacher. To do so will lead to arguments and divisions. Nor should we walk away because of a preacher, leader, author, or teacher. Jesus is the one to whom we are loyal. He is the one that unites all Christians.
Stuart

Psalm 96

The comparison in verse 5 is a little confusing. The LORD created the majestic splendor of the heavens. But there is no creativity attributed to idols. If the focus of the contrast is creativity then how do idol come into the comparison? I think that the connection is that idols are created as well.  But their creators are sin filled humans. People who are looking to tame God create gods that they think they can understand. In the end what we create fails to explain anything except the weakness of our creativity.
Stuart

1 Corinthians 1-2

Beginning in 2:13 Paul explains a vital truth in reaching the world. Christian revelation makes no sense to non-Christians. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't share the Gospel with unbelievers. The mysterious divine power that is conveyed through the spiritual truths of the Gospel will benefit believers. But I think that they will also strike a chord of recognition in the hearts of pagans. The comprehension will be missing but a foothold will be established. The taste will be pleasing to some but there will be no digestion. Yet in that sliver of connection when a heathen actually listens to the Gospel God will create faith that can eventually lead to salvation. That is why we should preach the Gospel.
Stuart

Psalm 95

In verse 10 God reveals his revulsion at the practices of Israel after they left Egypt. God sought a people who would treasure his promise of a home land. But they fought and kicked against God for 40 years. They wouldn't have lasted 1 year if I was God. But he is always looking for repentant hearts. He looked for them among the rebels of freed Israel. He looks for the same penitent believers today. He waited for me in the past and will continue to wait for me every time I sin.
Stuart

Hosea 12-14

When we demand our own way we rebel against God.  But because of his grace God keeps his promises in his time frame.  The caution that Hosea gave to ancient Israel (12:6) equally applies to we believers today.  Trust in God, repent of our rebellion, exercise loyalty to his name, justice to those around us, and wait for God to act in his timing. 

Stuart

Hosea 9-11

Hosea confronts the leaders of Israel with a well deserved condemnation in 9:8-9; God’s people are the enemies of God’s prophet.  They are hopelessly lost in their evil lives.  Their children maintained the same attitudes during Jesus’ ministry.  We should not be surprised when we find the same condemnation with the church either.  Instead we must allow God to rid ourselves of those tendencies and fill us with the hope and love that comes through the Holy Spirit.

Stuart

Hosea 5-8

Hosea must have been very discouraged.  He lived with a woman who had rejected his love.  Then God opened his eyes to see how Israel and Judah had acted in the same way.  Quite possibly Hosea understood the hurt God feels from our rebellion better than any other prophet.  In 5:15 God explains why rebels suffer; to move them to look for him.  Since we are imprinted with a readymade connection for God it would make sense when the fruit of our rebellion is suffering that a discerning person would begin looking for ways to escape the suffering. 

Stuart

Hosea 1-4

The message from Hosea to Israel is played out in his family. The children are named to remind the people of what God is planning. And Hosea's wife mimics the unfaithfulness of her people. But God looks past the present and focuses on a future salvation and king. A salvation not of military or political means (1:7), and a king who is a promised child of David (3:5). That salvation came on a cross by Jesus.
Stuart

1 Chronicles 27-29

I wonder how long David prayed about making his announcement that is recorded in 29:3-5?

I wonder what would happen in church building programs if local leaders followed David’s example by announcing their special gifts to the congregation?

I wonder what would happen with congregational activities if leaders would declare how much of their personal time they were pledging to a specific task and asked the people to give in a similar manner?

Stuart

Song of Solomon 4

Most of this chapter includes the man's details of his bride's features. Verse 7 summarizes his assessment with; "...how perfect you are!" That is also Jesus' assessment of his bride. But the latter bride was not born perfect; her groom made her perfect through his cleansing blood.
Stuart

1 Chronicles 24-26

These chapter tell how king David put organization in place for the priests and Levites. There must have been noticeable disorder with some priests and Levites performing the majority of the work. David's plan took away the inequities and also displayed that everyone has a part to play in God's plan for his kingdom work. Both of those truths are still true today in the church.
Stuart

1 Chronicles 21-23

I really don’t like it when someone tells me I can’t do something that I really want to do.  It makes it worse when my passion is to accomplish something that is not selfish but rather an expression of admiration to God.  I think of the Christians around the world who are told that they cannot speak about Jesus and what he has done in their lives.  How they face death threats if they the truth they know about Jesus.  In too many places society and government make the life of a Christian miserable if not nearly impossible; but then we know that nothing is impossible for God.  Those believers who face such opposition have a comrade in king David, among other believers in the Bible.  David sought to build an edifice that would put on display for all people his love for God.  God knew how much David loved him and that he would risk his life rather  life rather than reject God.  God understood that the longer David knew God the closer he came to him and the more he loved him.  Aware of all of these details God told David he could not build the temple.  Scripture doesn’t say that David argued with God.  One reason maybe because God explained that David’s son would have the honor of building the temple.  It seems that even though David’s greatest desire was spurned by his greatest love, David saw that God has opened a door for him.  Now David needed to impress upon his son Solomon his love and tenderness toward God.  David’s mission shifted from fully expressing his own love for God to teaching others to do the same thing.  Maybe that was the primary reason that God told David “no”.

Stuart

Song of Solomon 2

There is a connection between this man and woman that paints a dim picture of the connection between God and his people. A shared desire for each other, a hunger to enjoy each other's presence. This desire and hunger produce an immeasurable  joy when the longings are fulfilled.
Stuart

1 Chronicles 18-20

Kings often accumulated great wealth and David was no exception.  Because of the God favor the army of Israel defeated every foe that they encountered.  And from these subjected kingdoms David demanded tribute.  In 18:10-11 one king, who had fought with the king whom Israel had defeated, sent his son to congratulate David on the victory, sent a gift of gold, silver, and bronze.  David could have taken the gift for himself, but instead he dedicated it all to the LORD, an expression of his worship of God.  Even the spoils he had received from the conquest of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek David dedicated to God’s ministry.  What a fine example of giving.

Stuart

Ecclesiastes 12

A truth clearly spoken will outlast a generation. God's truth, put in perspective for many to understand will outlast a civilization. That is the summary from 12:11.
Stuart

1 Chronicles 15-17

When Uzzah was struck down by God because of his irreverence in moving the ark  David took notice.  David’s fear of God did not paralyze him; instead it drove him to find out how he had failed to honor God.  In the beginning of chapter 15 we see that David’s fear had produced fruit.  Verses 2, 12, and 13 show that David had found his transgression and the way to remedy their errors.  We don’t know how David discovered the truth; whether he searched the Law for the problem or had his chief scribe conduct the search.  But we do know that someone read Number chapter 4 and found that the ark was to covered by the priest and carried by the Levites.  We know this because that is what David instructed the Levites to do.  David showed himself to be a king more concerned with following God’s will, in even the smallest detail, than doing what was easy or seemed best to him.

Stuart

Ecclesiastes 11

Many things in this life are far beyond our control, and often outside of our influence. Financial investments, the fruit of our labor and our gardens, and life itself are beyond our understanding. But Solomon points out that not only does God understand these things, he controls them; for his glory and our growth in faith.
Stuart

1 Chronicles 12-14

Chapter 13 begins with David’s plans to bring the ark of the covenant to be near him.  In verse 3 he points out that king Saul had “ignored” the ark while he ruled.  Apparently when God would no longer speak to Saul the king decided to  treat God the same way.  Saul gave God the silent treatment rather than seeking a way to restore his relationship with Israel’s ruler.  David was seeking to live his life, and rule Israel, from a point of submission to God.  Which is an excellent example for any modern ruler to follow.

Stuart

Ecclesiastes 10

Every summer the Japanese beetles show up eating all sorts of flowers and other ornamental vegetation. Shortly there after the beetle traps appear. They attract the beetles with a very strong floral aroma. But once the trap gets full of dead beetles the floral smell can not overcome the stench of rotting beetles and the trap becomes useless. Those beetle carcasses are just like the foolishness of immoral people. No matter how smart they may be the "stench" of their sinfulness will soon overwhelm anything positive that they produce and will repel people from their lives. That is the truth presented in 10:1.
Stuart

1 Chronicles 9-11

I can't imagine facing a wild lion out in the open. If I did I would hope that the lion would run away. The idea of going into a pit with a trapped lion is insane. The Bible doesn't explain why Benaiah went into the pit, only that he did. And only that brave warrior came out of the pit alive. With the same faith and courage he confronted a gigantic Egyptian warrior. Carrying only a club the warrior was victorious. These are examples of the spirit of bravery that God instilled in his people of faith. So there can be no question that God can give us whatever courage that we need to face the challenges of this life as well.
Stuart

1 Chronicles 7-9

The first chapters of this book can be the most challenging to read. With the on-going lists of ancestors the text provides not obvious stories. But the name after name of people all hoping to make some sort of connection with God does offer some encouragement. Generations of people provide evidence that they trusted in the God of Israel. Some displayed greater faith, others rebelled against God. But the lists of generation display some names that are mentioned no where else in scripture. Maybe this is a picture of the lamb's book of life.
Stuart

1 Chronicles 3-5

The organization behind the order of these geneaolgies completely baffles me. But there is are stories of faith and failure among the endless list of names. It becomes evident that follow God is not an issue of family but of faith; a personal choice to fall in line with others in God's community.
Stuart

Ecclesiastes 9

Solomon spoke of the inequities of this life. He bemoaned how unfair God's actions are in the world. But he completely missed the foundational truth that king David relished. That the physical realm is not our fInal dwelling. There is a time and place coming when hopes will be fully realized. When sin, and its inequities, will be vanquished and forgotten for eternity. The righteous dead will not be forgotten on that day. They will enjoy the glory of God for eternity.
Stuart

1 Chronicles 1-2

This passage is composed of multiple lists of various geneologies and short narratives that seem to be focused on reminding the reader of the vast number of generations with whom God had worked with over time as he laid out the beginnings of his plan of redemption.
Stuart

Ecclesiastes 9

Wisdom causes us to look around at the injustices and inequities of this world seeking for answers. But even the wisest man to have ever lived could not harmonize God actions with the expressions of his nature. The end of this chapter sums up this truth. God's ways are beyond us which is why we can only relate to God through faith.
Stuart

Amos 7-9

The last verses of Amos' writing speak of a day when Israel will be restored. We know that God did bring Judah and Israel out of their captivity. He restored them to the majority of the land that Joshuas had conquered. But we also know that Israel was later displaced by Rome, the Christians, and then Muslims. So how could God say that they would never be uprooted again? Could the complete fulfillment of this promise be found in the church? Could it be that God's final planting is realized in the establishment of the inheritance of grace that Christians enjoy?
Stuart

Ecclesiastes 7

The end of verse 4 says that wisdom is made evident when we ponder death. Now why, and how, is that true. One reason is because we will all face death. There have been many lives ended long before the individual expected death. So as we plan for many other things we should plan out our wished, and hopes, when we meet our physical demise. Another reason considering death leads to wisdom is that death strips aways the false hopes of this life. When that happens we find ourselves alone with eternity; which is God's dwelling. And if we tarry near eternity very long we will begin to catch a glimpes of God.
Stuart

Amos 4-6

God explains to Israel that the many losses they have experienced were punishments from God. He had hoped that they would connect the plague to his hand of rebuke and come back to him; but they didn't. Even today God may send difficulties our way in hopes of turning our lives around. But we need to walk with an awareness that God is always nearby.
Stuart

Ecclesiates 6

As I read this chapter I only found one thought that helps me understand a Christian perspective on life; that last part of verse 9. Satisfaction is the summary of the good that is held in this chapter. We need to learn satisfaction with what we have been give. Regardless of whether we have more than we want or less we need to deal with it through a godly attitude.
Stuart

Amos 1-3

Amos began his book with a warning about the power of God. Verse 2 is a short poem that speaks not only of God fearsomeness but also of the natural consequences of rejecting God's Word. Can the harvest of a nation remain abundant if that nation rejects God? Amos says no.
Stuart

Ecclesiastes 5

Worry and words can cause foolish behavior if used in abundance. The writer warns us to avoid an excess of either.
Stuart

Luke22-24

"Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared." (24:1) That is how Luke set the stage for resurrection morning. As Luke unfolds the story the mood of the day shifts from painful sorrow to joyous celebration. Yet I wonder what happened to the spices? The women had invested time, and probably money, on this final act of tribute to Jesus' life and ministry. But the surprises of the day rendered that which had value at sunrise  as worthless as the day broke. There is a truth in all of this that we need to grasp; no matter what we value before we encounter the resurrected Jesus it should be left at the empty tomb as we follow him into eternity.
Stuart

Ecclesiastes 4

I wonder if Solomon was thinking of his father when he penned verse 13 of this chapter? David's family may not have been destitute but David himself was living the life of an outcast shepherd. Few realized that God was using that time tending the flocks as a training ground for ruling God's people. Likewise we must be careful to evaluate another believer's circumstances; they might be exactly what God had intended.
Stuart

Luke 19-21

I have sung the song and can summarize the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus; but my story would be incomplete. For years I have missed that Jesus told the parable of the ruler's gold coins around Zacchaeus' dinner table. It seems to me that one of the points of that parable should be related to Zacchaeus' reception of Jesus into his house AND his repentance from his past life. So I think the key point of the parable is this: keeping God's law to yourself until he comes displays a selfishness. Sharing God's love with others, no matter what stage of life, reaps rewards. Zacchaeus had lived a life of selfishness until he met Jesus. Then his past sins no longer matter.
Stuart

Ecclesiastes 3

In the last part of verse 14 the writer notes that God has put in each person a reverence of him. That means that all people have an innate awareness of God. Such an idea is supported by the spiritual aspect of life that nearly every person perceives. But this awareness is no more than a thirst or hunger. Yet these longings cannot be satisfied in this life. That is why God's mystery is so attractive; somewhere in the mystery is the hope of the eternal reunion with our creator. Only that will fulfill our longing.
Stuart

Luke 16-18

I get frustrated with myself when I fail to hear or obey the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  I know that there are times in which God’s plan works out well through my obedience, but I am still disappointed when I miss Jesus’ point.  Luke 18:34 offers me a very encouraging truth.  Those who walked with Jesus in the flesh missed the true meaning of his words many times as well.  I’m in good company.

Stuart

Luke 14-15

Chapter 15 of Luke’s Gospel is composed of three parable focused on something that is lost.  In all three the lost object goes missing.  In all three thee is a celebration when that which was lost is found.  But there is an apparent difference is the one seeking in the first two than in the third parable.  The owner of that which was lost sought to recover that which had been lost.  The shepherd and the bride all search earnestly and did not quit until they had found the lost one.  They did not abandon those that were safe, but their attention was on the lost.  The father does not appear to be seeking the wayward son in the last parable.  He stayed at home and did not search out the fields.  I believe the searching was just as intense as the shepherd and the bride; it only looks different.  The father was at a place where he could see the son return.  His heart was searching for the prodigal and at the first sight of a humbled child he moved at lightning speed.  Then the celebration began.

Stuart