My Daily Pause

In Psalm 43, God is given a number of roles. He is the deliverer, the source of strength, light and truth, and joy and hope. I noticed especially that God isn’t labeled as the source for joy, he is joy itself – “My exceeding Joy”.

The ultimate intent of the Gospel might be to bring the faithful joy, no matter what challenges they are facing. (1 John 1:1-4)

Allow God to be your light of truth – He with strengthen you with a sense of hope and joy like no other.

Daily Bible Reading for Feb 12

Joseph goes to prison. King Asa dies. Peter heals Aeaneas and raises Dorcas from the dead.

Psalm 42-43
Genesis 39
2 Chronicles 16
Acts 9:32-43

God is a quick forgiver.

Asa brought peace to Judah by restoring God to the kingdom (2 Chronicles 15). Saul, the one bringing terror to the new Christians, was converted and made the teacher to the Gentiles by the Lord (Acts 9:1-31).

God was so quick to forgive Nineveh that it upset Jonah (Jonah 3:10 – 4:1)

With these examples we can leave with two lessons today:

1. It’s never too late to get God’s forgiveness and change the direction of our lives. We’re never “too far gone”.
2. We should probably offer forgiveness to anyone we are withholding it from. Soon. Now.

Which do you need to do?

Daily Bible reading for Feb 11

Judah’s children are born. Asa reforms the Kingdom of Judah’s attitude toward God. Saul is baptized in Damascus.

Psalm 41
Genesis 38
2 Chronicles 15
Acts 9:1-31

Before he became the Apostle Paul, Saul was very aggressive in dealing with the followers of Jesus. He watched and approved of Stephen’s execution and  then continued on to ravage the church (Acts 8:1-3). He later called himself a Hebrew of Hebrews (Philippians 3:5) and in Acts 23:1 said he had fulfilled his duty in all good conscience.

Taking the “Jiminy Cricket” approach to life and “letting your conscience be your guide” puts one in the same class as Saul of Tarsus. Being oblivious to the sins we commit will not excuse us when judgment comes. Solomon knew the value of study: Proverbs 1:2-7

Daily Bible reading for Feb 10

Joseph’s dreams and the coat of many colors. Asa brings peace to Judah through the favor of God. Simon and the Eunuch are baptized.

Psalm 40
Genesis 37
2 Chronicles 14
Acts 8

When I read the story of Stephen (Acts 6 and 7), I see similarity in his situation and ours. We are trying to help others see the truth, only to be rebuffed. Those who have an audience are able to wrest the Scriptures just enough to create doubt in a weaker believer’s mind. Many atheists know what’s in the Bible better than many Christians! This is how those who support homosexual marriages, abortion, evolution and more are making progress in getting this stuff into the mainstream.

The defense to such attacks on the Bible has at least the following ingredients:

1. Study (2 Timothy 2:15)
2. Be ready to speak on the arguments used against the Bible (2 Timothy 4:2)
3. Quit remaining silent! (Romans 1:16)

We each have control of these building blocks. Together we can slow the momentum the godless seem to be gaining.

Daily Bible reading for Feb 9

Esau’s descendants are listed. Abijah defeats Jeroboam. Stephen rises and falls.

Psalm 39
Genesis 36
2 Chronicles 13
Acts 6:8-7:60

Barnabas had just sold a piece of land and laid all the money at the feet of the Apostle (Acts 4:36-37). That was a grand gesture, one that wasn’t even required but came straight from the heart. It’s not surprising that Ananias and Sapphira got caught up in the joy of giving and wanted to participate (Acts 5:1).

The beauty of being a giving person turns ugly fast when it is done only to be seen by others. We might not suffer the same fate as Ananias and Sapphira when we to do the same thing, but we know the Lord will ignore such heartless giving (Mark 12:41-12:44)

Proclaiming Jesus is dangerous business. I don’t know if it will ever come to a trial like Peter and John had to face (Acts 4:1-7), but paying for it in respect among peers or opportunities in the work place is very possible. In fact, fellow Christians may go on the attack if you stand your ground on difficult matters based on what the Scriptures say rather than what they feel “in their heart”. Work on your faith daily so it grows (Romans 10:17) to where you could survive a difficult test. Could you defend an attack on the Bible in a one-on-one debate?

Daily Bible reading for Feb 7

Jacob’s daughter is defiled. Rehoboam fortifies his kingdom. Peter begins his ministry

Psalm 37
Genesis 34
2 Chronicles 11
Acts 3:1-4:31

In 2 Chronicles 10 (and 1 Kings 12), Solomon’s son Rehoboam has assumed the throne and almost immediately the kingdom divides. Obviously he was not vetted as a leader, but put in charge only because he was “next”. God’s Kingdom (the church) has suffered the same fate – From the single united group that assembled that day in Acts 2 we now have hundreds of denominations that split away. Poorly selected church leaders have innovated new ways to worship and have tried to blaze paths to salvation other than the one given in Acts 2:38.

Be careful not to allow your faith to be spoon fed to you. Do your diligence and select where you worship and study with based on what you read in the Bible.

Daily Bible Reading for Feb 6

Jacob and Esau are reunited. Rehoboam decides to be a tougher ruler than Solomon. The Holy Spirit comes upon the Apostles.

Psalm 36
Genesis 33
2 Chronicles 10
Acts 2

The Apostles are flush with a great expectation for what is to come. They believe Jesus is about to restore the Kingdom of Israel – actually, they have believed that was what Jesus’ ministry was about from the beginning. (Acts 1:6-11) They would know soon enough just how big the events were going to be. The Holy Spirit would soon come upon them and give them all of the answers they would need to save souls and build up God’s Kingdom. In the same way, the Spirit has given you what you need to be fully informed (2 Timothy 3:16-17) to go about the work of teaching and saving souls (2 Timothy 2:2). Can you model your ministry after what these men did for the church?

Daily Reading for Feb 5

Jacob sends word to Esau and wrestles God. Solomon meets the Queen of Sheba, has his wealth inventoried and Dies. The Apostles choose a new twelfth.

Psalm 35
Genesis 32
2 Chronicles 9
Acts 1

The Lord doesn’t desire that we live in need – He tells us not to worry about anything (Matthew 6:25-34). He promises blessing to the trusting, providence to those in want, many good days to those who desire life, and an ear that hears the cries of the downtrodden (Psalm 34:8-16). What the Lord desires then, is that we turn our faith over to him completely and those blessings are just the beginning of what we’ll have. (1 Peter 2:1-3, Ephesians 1:3)

Daily Bible reading for Feb 4

Jacob begins his journey home. Solomon’s accomplishments are listed. Jesus rises and takes care of His final business on earth.

Psalm 34
Genesis 31
2 Chronicles 8
Luke 24

If you want a template for the proper attitude towards the Lord read Psalm 33 very closely. Here is a call to joyful praise of a good and considerate Lord who is our help and our shield.

Here are some questions for this Lord’s Day:

1. Will there be joy in your worship today or will your heart be somewhere else?
2. Will you be pleased to return a contribution to God’s work or do you make that offering reluctantly?
3. Will you sing each word with equal emotion and thought or pass through the words without consideration of their intent?

Daily Bible Reading For Feb 3:

Jacob works out his wages with Laban. God tells Solomon how to keep His blessings from turning into curses. Jesus is crucified.

Psalm 33
Genesis 29:31-30:43
2 Chronicles 7
Luke 23:26-56

Have you ever wondered how Jesus must have felt when Peter denied him three times? (Luke 22:54-62)

Do you suppose he feels the same way when we don’t talk about him when given an opportunity?