Listening to the Word

1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalms 98; Romans 2   “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth…Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:1, 2, 4 Justice and righteousness are the foundation of God’s throne. After outlining God’s judgment of our rebellion, perversion, and sin in Romans 1, Paul warns us not to play god and judge others. We are all guilty of violating God’s ways and we all fall short of his holiness; yet, we know our desperate need for God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness should fill us with compassion and mercy toward others. When we judge others, we show contempt for the riches of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience toward us. It i...

1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalms 97; Romans 1   “God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness…For I am not ashamed of the gospel…” Romans 1:9, 16 What do we think of when we think of the word “gospel”? Do we focus on the mechanics of our sin-separation from God and the atonement of Christ for our sin, reconciling us with God and the world around us? It is possible to focus on the various parts, aspects, steps, or laws in the gospel, forgetting that the heart of the gospel is God’s love for us in Christ. Jesus Christ our Lord is the gospel in summary. Paul preached the gospel of Jesus, Son of God, Lord of heaven and earth. Paul was not ashamed of Jesus Christ or of speaking about him to anyone whom he met. Are we? How confident are we to live and share the gospel wherever we are? “Lord Jesus, you are the good news which has transformed my life. You alone are the hope of the world, for your glory.”

1 Kings 4-5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalms 101; 2 Thessalonians 3 “I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life – when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing...” Psalm 101:1-3 David enjoyed the presence of the Lord so much that he was willing to avoid and resist the presence of sinful behaviors wherever possible. When our focus is on ourselves, we try to approach God on our terms. When our focus is on God, we approach him on his terms. David knew the holiness of God and he resisted sin in the power of the Spirit. David’s standard was to be blameless. We know he often failed in that effort; but when he failed, his cry of repentance was focused on restoring the presence of the Lord in his life (Psalm 51). What is our standard of behavior? We live in a sin-sick generation that celebrates and promotes that which God hates. Are we choosing to be friends of God...

1 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalms 78; 2 Thessalonians 2 “…and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the desert. Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place had had prepared for it…But the bronze altar…was in Gideon in front of the tabernacle of the Lord;…” 2 Chronicles 1:3-5 The ark represented guidance and blessing, but had often been used as a ‘good luck charm’. The Tent of Meeting (or tabernacle) and the bronze altar built by Moses represented repentance and true relationship with God. Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice before the Lord and to seek his face. The Lord honored Solomon’s heart-intent with an amazing question, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (2 Chronicles 1:7). When we seek God’s presence and relationship, we also receive counsel and provision. When we just seek direction (the ark and ephod), we can approach God like a vendin...

1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalms 95; 2 Thessalonians 1   “But who am I, and who are my people that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” 1 Chronicles 29:14 At the close of David’s life he led a worship service of incredible generosity for the future construction of the temple. This final act of worship acknowledged that everything David and his people had, came from God. The capacity to give generously is itself a gift from God. It was with this final act of worship and generosity that David passed on the leadership of the kingdom to Solomon. Are our families and churches known for generous worship? Are we freely acknowledging to the generations that follow us that everything we have and are comes from God? Are we modeling generous giving and worship for the next generation, or are we modeling selfish hoarding and self-centered honoring of what we have accomplished and accumulated? “Lord ...

1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalms 91; 1 Thessalonians 5   “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence…You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday…For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;” Psalm 91:1, 3, 5, 6, 11 Where do we find our security - in a good security system, a firearm, a great job, or a stable country? Moses testified that security is found in the presence of the Lord. Giving our lives to the Most High is the key to finding rest and being free from fear. Moses watched firsthand as the Almighty destroyed the most powerful kingdom on earth. Moses chose to switch his trust from Pharaoh and his power, to the Most High God. Moses witnessed the mighty angels whom God assigned to deliver Israel and guide the...