July 4

Happy Independence Day in the USA!

Today's Reading

2 Kings. God's judgment was becoming reality for the people of Judah. It's an amazing story, though, of grace. Many people suffered, but many of the humble were spared some of the worst difficulty. The next section of their history was in exile. From that crucible came the witness of Esther and Mordecai, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. From a faraway land, Daniel was used by God to help pave the way for Magi to travel from "the East" (several hundred years later) to a tiny town named Bethlehem where a Child was born.

Acts. Paul was respectful, even in the midst of adversity. On the other hand, he knew how to bind up the religious leaders. He did it by simply playing to their long-standing differences.

Psalms. The following verses make a great prayer to pray for our President and leaders throughout the world...
10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.

Proverbs. These wise words speak to me as a husband. How do they speak to you?

Other thoughts or questions today?

July 3

Today's Reading

2 Kings. A careful reading of today's passage shows just how far the people had strayed from God. It seems that they worshiped just about any and everything around them -- except God. It's amazing how far we can stray when we take one step off course and don't repent!

Acts. Did you notice how the crowd was trying to kill Paul (yesterday's reading) and how it was Paul that got arrested? Now, Paul gives a hint to the commander that begins to change their relationship. He uses the term "citizen of Tarsus." That will come back in the next day or so.

Psalms. "For the Lord watches over the path of the godly..." That stirs my heart, making me want to walk more and more with God. How about you?

Proverbs. Our church has been highly blessed by God. The thoughts in these verses are another reminder that we must rely on God alone and not lean on our own resources or our past successes.

What do you think? Any questions today?

July 2

Today's Reading

2 Kings. The historians seem to picture Hezekiah as a selfish man. He wanted to live at all costs. When God did give him life, he bragged about all his wealth to pagan leaders who had a history of conquering and stealing. Then, when he heard about God's coming judgment, he was simply glad it wouldn't happen in his life. He didn't seem to care about his descendants. If that is an accurate depiction of his character, by God's grace I don't want to be like him!
There is much more about Manasseh in 2 Chronicles. The 2 Kings account never tells the story about how Manasseh ultimately repented. We will read that one in the Chronicles account.

Acts. Once again Saul the ex-persecutor became Paul the persecuted. Can you imagine what it was like to attempt to love people whose minds were so closed and were so full of prejudice? God loves them. If He couldn't, He can't love me, either. I'm glad He does!

Psalms. I have, on occasion, been in the midst of a large crowd of people who were simple, humble and unrestrained in their worship. It's just a taste of what heaven must be like!

Today marks our half-way point of reading the Bible in a year. We will read through Psalms a second time and complete the rest over the coming months. If you have been with us since the beginning, congratulations!

Proverbs. God created us to make a difference in this world. When we are lazy, our part of the work is simply decaying. Also, I love the second verse in this passage today. Oh, how I need Him!

What are your thoughts? Questions?

July 1

Today's Reading

2 Kings. Hezekiah first fell into the temptation to rescue himself by his own works. He even took the gold dedicated to the Lord and tried to bribe his way out of trouble. How many times have I done the equivalent? I get into a mess and, rather than repent, I try to get myself out of the mess. One reason it's tempting to do it that way is because our flesh wants to remain in control of our lives. Repenting means yielding my life to God. Hezekiah repented and God delivered him. I love this passage and it always challenges me to put my trust only in the Lord. Only when He is in control do I find full joy.

Acts. Paul knew that he had to travel a specific road in order to obey God. It's amazing how various ones foresaw the troubles ahead of him and tried to warn him off. Instead Paul chose to listen to the still, small voice of God and keep moving ahead; even if it meant he would die. What an example of devotion! Someone said that the safest place to stay is in the center of God's will.

Psalms. I fear that sometimes we are so "civilized" that we don't really release ourselves in praise. We are afraid of looking foolish.

Proverbs. I must watch my heart regarding this verse. In my flesh, I love to hear rumors about people -- especially ones I don't particularly like.

And you? What is God saying to you today? Do you have questions for us?

June 30

Today's Reading

2 Kings. The kingdom of Israel gradually grew farther and farther away from the Lord and finally were exiled from their own land. I take that as a warning for the times when I am growing farther from an intimate relationship with God. In the meantime, God was still working and another good king -- Hezekiah -- came to power in Judah. That, too, should stimulate us to walk with Him. When we disregard God and His power, we are in danger that He will take the good work He wanted to do through us and accomplish it through someone else. How tragic!

Paul was so focused! Today, in Acts, he makes it clear that he knows what lies ahead and he will walk right into it! Why? So he can complete his task. That challenges me!

Psalms. Above all else, we must praise the Lord. As we do so, we are acknowledging His Lordship, His goodness and His faithfulness over all His creation.

Proverbs. My friend told me that keeping your mouth shut is one of the best ways to avoid trouble. I need to keep working on that!

What speaks to you today? Questions on your mind?

June 29

Today's Reading
2 Kings. It is such a temptation to "succeed" by using the methods of the world around us. We do the same kinds of things evil kings did back then: we connive and scheme and work and compromise all to get what we want. It seems easier to do that than to turn our hearts to God. Obviously, it doesn't work and brings destruction in the end. But the temptation is always there.
Acts. The first part of today's reading demonstrates how easy it is for people to latch on to anything they think will bring them money and power. Based on the experiences recorded in Acts, that can include spiritual warfare. However, it's a little hard to stand up against spirits without the real power of Jesus. I smile every time I read about the men running from the house, bruised and naked. Oh, and how about that mob in Ephesus?
Psalms. I find it so easy to put my hope somewhere besides in the Lord. That is, until I realize that nothing and no one else can really help.
Proverbs. God is the source of all wisdom. Walking in wisdom is walking in His ways.
What are your thoughts? Questions?

June 28

Today's Reading

2 Kings. After generations of fighting other enemies, the Jews began to war with each other. What a sad testimony. Yet, God gave both Israel and Judah strength to keep them alive, according to His promise. Conflicts in the churches during the New Testament era should serve as a warning that struggles come to God's people both from outside and within. It's tragic that some churches get so caught up in fighting each other that they are rendered spiritually sterile.

Acts. I love how Apollos was eloquent as a teacher, but humble enough to learn God's ways more clearly. After Paul left Corinth, Apollos stayed and the church kept growing. In 1 Corinthians, Paul rebuked the church for developing factions: "I am of Paul" or "I am of Apollos."
You might wonder about the presence of so many outward signs of the work of the Holy Spirit. Those things can be common, especially where God is giving the Gospel a foothold in places that are spiritually charged and aware. We live in just such a place. The emphasis, though, is always on the Gospel and not on the signs.

Psalms. May you and I acknowledge the Lord as our helper today. May we walk with Him and let Him use us in His work of declaring and demonstrating the Good News of Jesus to our generation.

Proverbs. I want to be like Apollos (above) -- open to correction and not like the fools described here today.

What do you see? Do you have questions today?

June 27

Today's Reading

2 Kings. Joash was committed to the Lord as long as Jehoiada the priest was there to guide him. However, it was a grave sin to take the things dedicated to the Lord and use them to pay off Hazael, a pagan king. On the flip side, the priests were less than honorable when they took the money designated for restoring the temple and used it for their personal needs. Those are both great lessons to me.

Acts. Notice how long Paul stayed at Corinth compared to often hopping around among other towns. Then remember 1 and 2 Corinthians where he wrote such detailed messages to this church. It's a great picture.

Psalms. Isn't it great to know that God is there to help us when our load is heavy?

Proverbs. I heard a story about a man who loved to make his neighbors miserable because he was miserable and felt it should be spread around. True story.

And what do you see today? Questions for us?

June 26

Today's Reading

2 Kings. Jehu was a warrior. God used him to clean house. It was brutal and ugly, but God had a purpose in it. His judgment of sin can be ruthless. I have known some within the church that seem to have this warrior anointing from God; I'm pretty compassionate and at first this was hard for me, but I have come to understand that God uses them in a very special way.

Acts. Each of these places in today's passage was different from the others. Paul and his fellows were living an adventure. The people in Berea were cautious and discerning. Athens was the city where the new trends were set. Sometimes people listened with curiosity, sometimes with conviction and sometimes with rage. But the Gospel marched on!

Psalms. David, the man after God's heart, made the clear connection between walking with God and experiencing protection as well as blessings. We are not guaranteed an easy life, but we can trust in the Lord to supply our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Proverbs. I am challenged every time I read these verses. My personality is that of a "talker" and I have to keep working on being silent more.

Your thoughts today? Do you have questions?

June 25

Today's Reading

2 Kings. God kept providing for the Shunemite woman and her son because she had shown faith and kindness to Elisha many years before. "We reap what we sow; we reap more than we sow; we reap in a different season than we sow."

I have read some of your comments about the character and lives of the prophets. Notice that God used Elisha to serve even the enemy King Ben-Hadad. God is no respecter of persons and not every word prophets spoke was pleasant. If the prophet was from God, though, the words came true!

Acts. Many are familiar with the conversion of the jailer of Philippi in Chapter 16. It's often forgotten, however, that Paul and Silas were in jail because they cast a demon out of a girl. The girl was set free, but the men who profited from her demonization were angry because of their lost profits and had the preachers thrown in jail. The Gospel comes to town and shakes things up!

Notice the response when the city fathers wanted to quietly set them free. In spirit, Paul and Silas were already free! Additionally, they were citizens and all the power of Rome could come down for the grievous error of beating and jailing them without a proper trial. I think I would have wanted to just "get outta Dodge," but they took time to go back to the group of believers at Lydia's house and encourage them.

Psalms. David knew the stress and doubt of running from those who wanted him dead. He constantly reminded himself through his songs that God was faithful. This particular Psalm became my prayer for this day.

Proverbs is a fitting answer to those who threw Paul and Silas into prison, as we read in Acts today.

What do you see? Questions today?

June 24

Today's Reading

2 Kings. Certainly the days of Elisha were days of miracles. I wonder if he was often just amazed at the stuff that happened. I would have been!

Today's Acts passage opens with the division of Paul and Barnabas. Paul, the passionate missionary, was disappointed in John Mark for leaving them in their previous journey and didn't want him along. Barnabas, ever the encourager, wanted to help this young man get grounded in the faith and saw him as fit for service. Even though they left each other, they each took the Gospel and even more came to Christ. Years later, Paul and John Mark (author of Mark) reconciled.

Then notice in Acts that God was directing Paul's path. He twice tried to go in a direction and was hindered by the Holy Spirit. The call to Macedonia was the first incursion of the Gospel to section of the world we call Europe.

I think David's prayer in today's Psalm is great for those low times when we feel overwhelmed by life.

Proverbs. Focus on wisdom. Then live wisely and it will make those ahead of you proud.

Your thoughts? Any questions today?

June 23

Today's Reading

2 Kings. As I read today's passage, I was again puzzled as to why Gehazi got no results to his petition for the life of the boy. Then it hit me: God, who sees the heart, saw the false motives in Gehazi. If he had seen the boy healed, he most likely would wanted to turn it into a profit-making venture. May my heart always belong only to God!

Acts. The Council at Jerusalem was one of the key decisions in the early church. Some Jews had been unable to imagine following God as Christians without essentially becoming Jews first. After deliberation, it was clear that the Gospel is for all who put their faith in Christ and Gentiles don't have to convert to Judaism before they become Christians. Notice that one of the two sent with the message of council was Silas. We will read much of him in the coming chapters.

Psalms. Verse 2 says, "Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering." I think it's easy to forget that God cherishes our prayers and our worship. I needed that reminder!

Proverbs today could easily be the front page news in our culture. We have become very skeptical of those in authority because of how common such things are.

Your thoughts? Do you have questions to discuss?

June 22

Today's Reading

2 Kings. If you were to make an action/adventure movie from the Old Testament, you couldn't do much better than what happened in the days of Elijah and Elisha!

Acts. I am always fascinated at what happened in Lystra. It seems like one minute the fickle crowd wanted to worship Paul and Barnabas; the next minute they tried to stone them. This passage conclude with the missionaries returning home to report back to the church which sent them.

Psalms. May we be the righteous who live under the mercy and protection of God!.

Proverbs. It is amazing to see the effect a positive attitude has on physical healing. A physician told me once about someone who had a terminal illness and died much sooner than expected by just giving up. I'm sure it happens every day.

What are your thoughts? Questions?

June 21

Today's Reading

2 Kings. Elijah finished his earthly life by continuing to stand against the deception of his generation. When he was taken to heaven, God gave extraordinary power to Elisha as the successor. Remember that Elijah joined Moses and met Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Also, you might be interested that some scholars believe the two witnesses who preach in Jerusalem described in Revelation to be Moses and Elijah.

Acts. Paul was created to be bold in the midst of conflict. Many of the places he went were "disturbed" by the Gospel. Many turned to Christ and many others reacted in anger. You and I were designed by God for specific service, too. It's great joy when we figure out what it is!

Psalms. Made, known and unconditionally loved by God. What a wonder!

Proverbs. Left to my own devices, I am more hopeless than I can imagine!

And what do you see today? Any questions?

August 19, Day 231

Today's Reading

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia,s the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah.s He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:

"This is what King Cyrus of Persia says:
"The Lord , the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are the Lord 's people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you!" (2 Chronicles 36:22, 23 NLT)

Those of you who have studied Zechariah with us this summer at Stone Ridge will perhaps recognize that this fulfillment of prophecy and proclamation by Cyrus is the event that triggers the events in Ezra, Nehemiah and Zechariah. The remnant went home and built the Temple and the walls around Jerusalem.

August 5, Day 217

Today's Reading

Josiah, unlike so many of the kings, was fully devoted to the Lord. Joash, the previous "boy king" was devoted only as long as the High Priest held him to it. Josiah was far more devoted that many of the religious leaders around him.


As you read today about the various altars and idols Josiah had destroyed, consider just how pagan God's people had become. It's sobering when you consider our own nation and many who call the name of Christ, but are far from Him. May God break our hearts and bring us to repentance!

August 2, Day 214

Today's Reading

For some reason, the historians who gave us today's passage in 2 Kings provided much less detail about Hezekiah and Manasseh than we received in 2 Chronicles (some of which we will read tomorrow).  Manasseh ended up repenting and turning back to God; we just don't read about it in thoday's chapters.

July 28, Day 209

Today's Reading

Three days ago we read about Hezekiah's plea to God for Jerusalem as told by Isaiah.  That was followed by many more chapters of things God was speaking to Isaiah during that painful season.  What Isaiah received during the era was indicative of God's use of stressful situations to call us to focus on Him.

Today we get the account of Hezekiah's plea as told by the historians in 2 Kings.  I am in awe of the connection of God's deliverance from Sennacherib (2 Kings 19) and the opening stanza of Psalm 19: "God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in times of trouble."  Wow!

July 15, Day 196

Today's Reading

This picture of how Ahaz forsook his true Friend, then turned to his enemy for help really has an impact on me.  How many times has my heart been far from God, so I chose the world's ways to answer my problems?  Thank God for His gracious forgiveness!

July 8, Day 189

Today's Reading

Today's chapters give us the "Reader's Digest" version and a longer account of King Uzziah.  Though he was a good king, he let pride drive him from God.  He suffered with leprosy as a result.  The year of his death marked the date of Isaiah's prophetic call  (Isaiah 6:1).