July 31 – Isaiah 59-63

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 59-63. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

I am not big on hellfire and brimstone preaching. When I lived in Virginia I used to attend a Wednesday breakfast with some men from the church. The food was great, the fellowship was wonderful, and the worship was fine. There were two reasons I stopped attending; the early time meant for a long day and the teens on Wednesday nights were not getting the best out of me. However, the main reason I stopped attending was the preaching that took place. Every other week the pastor of the church spoke. Each time he spoke his preaching was directed at how bad our world is getting. Often I felt beat down and not uplifted. I could not take all the negativity that overwhelmed that place.

Now, there are times preaching and teaching has to have some corrective elements. Negativity has to rear its ugly head from time to time. If it never does, correction may never happen. But constant negativity just wears people out. Isaiah was one who brought a lot of negative news to the people of Judah. Fortunately for him, his news was not all bad. From time to time he had the privilege of bringing good news. He was able to one of the first to announcing the coming Messiah. His news even spoke of the return from exile.

He knew his mission was both the bearer of bad and good news. Read his words again … “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners be freed.” (Isaiah 61:1 NLT) Good news always needs to follow bad news. Hope always needs to be seen.

I hope your teaching, sharing, and preaching to your friends, relatives, and co-workers who may know Christ and have strayed, or who do not Christ is not always full of negativity. I hope in there you are pointing to hope, pointing to restoration, bringing good news. That is exactly what gospel means … the good news of the work of Jesus! Bring some good news!

July 30 – Isaiah 54-58

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 54-58. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

I am back. Camp was a blast. Unfortunately I did not get to get near my computer long enough to write blog post or even upload the readings to the blog. When was on my computer I spent it writing things specifically for camp. I apologize for that. I now plan to be back to my normal schedule. Thank you for your patience.

I have also found a renewed freshness to my reading. The break has done me some good. When I came to read the word today I found so many different topics to write about. When we dive into the word of God each day, especially reading it in this chronological order we find very similar topics day after day. We have heard from many prophets over the past month or so about the coming destruction of Israel and Judah. You might find comfort to know that I am ready for it to happen so we can move onto something a little more uplifting.

Today I found three independent areas I want to draw thoughts from. To cover all three means I am only going to be able to do a smattering of justice to each of them. Let’s begin.

God often compares His relationship to us by reminding us of our own family relations. In our reading today we found these words … “For the LORD has called you back from your grief-as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband.” (Isaiah 54:6 NLT) Why would God use such an analogy? Because he knows we understand the emotions tied to this idea of abandonment. Some of you reading this may know from a painful past what abandonment feels like, so when you read this, deep emotion pulses through your veins. For others, while not experiencing this can relate, you understand the emotions. God uses what we know and experience to relate to us, and for all of us family relations are our first community experiences.

God relates to us this way because God is not us, but He wants to do life with us, so He has to relate how He created us to relate. God is bigger and more diverse than we are. The second thing I noticed today is a reminder that we are not God, and we do not think like God thinks. Read these words again … ““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”” (Isaiah 55:8 NLT) Because God is so much more than we are, He must communicate with us in a way we can connect with. God is too vast to interact with.

Last week during camp I taught a class on baptism. On Thursday I had a roundtable discussion with all the kids wanting to be baptized. They asked about how Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit could all be one. I cannot really explain it, especially to fourth and fifth graders. It is a concept that is incredibly hard to wrap our brains around. It is something that requires faith. And you know what? That is absolutely ok. God is so much more than we can understand. That is ok!

The final thing I found while reading is some comfort from Isaiah. Often we see bad things happen to good people and wander why. Sometimes it is even the loss of a family member, a friend, or even a faithful church member. But when they are in Christ, is it really that much of a loss? Maybe for us it is. But is it for them? Absolutely not! Isaiah gives us some insight into God’s plans and offers a little comfort … “Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.” (Isaiah 57:1 NLT) When I look at our world, I am reminded that to be home with the father is much better than to be present on this earth. We should long to be homesick. While someone’s death from this world leaves a hole in our heart, if they are in Christ, then they are home; somewhere we should long to be.

July 22 – Isaiah 28-30.

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 28-30. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

This week I am at Butler Springs Christian Camp. I will have internet access, but it could be somewhat spotty. My goal will be to post each day at least the verses to read. There may or may not be any devotional thoughts. Thank you for your understanding. 

July 21 – Hosea 8 - 9

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Hosea 8-9. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

This week I am at Butler Springs Christian Camp. I will have internet access, but it could be somewhat spotty. My goal will be to post each day at the verses to read. There may or may not be any devotional thoughts. Thank you for your understanding. 

July 19 – 2 Kings 18, 2 Chronicles 29 – 31, & Psalms 48

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 18, 2 Chronicles 29 – 31, & Psalms 48. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Examine your church, or even your own faith, do you have any sacred cows? A sacred cow in church vocabulary is something that is worshiped and held to a high level that isn’t God himself. Maybe for you and your church it might be the stained glass windows that were dedicated by a family years before in the churches history. Maybe for your church it is a program or event that has been done for years. Maybe it is a song that is sung at the beginning of service. Those types of things tend to be corporate sacred cows to churches. Maybe you have them in your own life as well.

Now sacred cows are not wrong (we wouldn’t call them sacred cows at that point, just worship aids) if held with the right perspective and the right attitude. There is nothing wrong with stained glass windows, traditional church programs, or even specific songs that are sung. However, when they are held at a level of worship that if they are damaged, done away with, or changed, and you or your church get all bent out shape, then you have a problem. You are letting an object, or a thing get in your way of worshiping God; they may have even taken the place of worshiping God. That is wrong!

We see this happen today in our reading. When the Israelites were in the wilderness after the Exodus because of sin God set snakes to strike and kill. To save his people God instructed Moses to erect a bronze snake that if they looked at it they would be saved. This was kept to remind them of this, to not fall into sin, and to follow God. But by the time Hezekiah rules in Judah, the people are now offering sacrifices to this bronze snake. What does Hezekiah order, he orders it destroyed.

Friends that is the right move. It might have been hard and sad to see such an important reminder destroyed, but it was necessary. When something becomes a hindrance in our worship to God, or even takes our worship to God, we have to eradicate it from our lives. Maybe this has been recognized by leaders in your church and they have done away with something. Examine your heart, find out why you are upset and then determine if you are in the wrong. Be honest with your selves, have you allowed something to become a sacred cow that should not be?

July 18 – Isaiah 23-27

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 23-27. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

 

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

“Throughout the earth the story is the same-only a remnant is left, like the stray olives left on the tree or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest. But all who are left shout and sing for joy. Those in the west praise the LORD’s majesty.” (Isaiah24:13-14 NLT) A lot of Bible readers struggle reading through the prophets because God paints such devastating pictures of his righteous judgment he was about to bring on the earth. But what I love is the glimmers of hope he plants throughout his word.

When I was in college and taking homiletics courses (The fancy word for preaching class), we were always taught to point to hope. Whether that is pointing to Jesus or putting a positive spin on some negative preaching. That way you do not just beat people down you give them some positive actions to take to correct whatever it is you may have been preaching about. God knew this long before we did. That is why he slips hope in throughout his word.

The words above not only gave Israel and Judah hope in their day, but give us hope today. It seems our world is much like those in Bible times. Our world does not worship God. Our world does not honor God. Our world does not respect God. But, you and I, along with millions of other believers in the world, are that faithful remnant today who has the privilege of shouting and singing for joy; we get to praise the LORD’s majesty. So how are you doing at being the faithful?

July 17 – Isaiah 18-22

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 18-22. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

I feel the more I read the Bible the more I fall in love with it. The Bible is unlike any other book on the face of the planet. Where else do you get a book that was written over a fifteen hundred year period of time, in three different languages, on three different continents and yet it all tells one story? Where else do you get a book that teaches so many truths but at the same time contains destruction and violence like the Bible does? Where else do you find steamy sex scenes like Song of Solomon yet they are completely appropriate and even God honoring? Where else do you find the very mind of God contained in the words on the pages? Nowhere! I love this book.

I was reminded of that today as I visualized the imagery of Isaiah’s prophecies. One really struck me in Isaiah twenty-two verses seventeen and eighteen … “For the LORD is about to hurl you away, mighty man. He is going to grab you, crumple you into a ball, and toss you away into a distant, barren land. There you will die, and your glorious chariots will be broken and useless. You are a disgrace to your master!” (Isaiah 22:17-18 NLT). I love that imagery … the idea of God taking a person, crumpling them into a ball and hurling them. What an amazing word picture God paints through Isaiah’s pen.

So what amazes you about the Bible? How does God move you to fathom various thoughts about his Word? What draws you back to God’s word over and over again?

July 16 – Isaiah 13-17

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 13-17. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

We are drawing near to the end of both Israel and Judah as nations. It seems like every generation has struggled to follow God. So now God is predicting their destruction. This prediction for Judah is not an empty threat. This prediction is coming with some specifics. God calls out the nation he will use to deliver the blow … the Babylonians.

When we read chapter thirteen of Isaiah we see this prediction given through Isaiah’s words. What amazes me is that while God is going to use Babylon it does not mean he approves of their actions, their worship, or their lifestyles. Does this give you some idea at how horrible God’s so-called consecrated people had become? In the same chapter where God proclaims he is going to use Babylon to pour out his vengeance he also says he is going to one day destroy them. And again he gives indication of who will bring their end … the Medes.

God’s hand on the movements of nations is amazing. It makes me wonder what it is God is up to here in America. Sure we have free will, but I wonder if God is at work preparing and doing something that we are just not aware of. All I know is that to those faithful, to those who follow God, who continue to worship, God will honor. All I know is we can never stop sharing the love of God. Israel and Judah held off God’s wrath because they repented and worshiped; they listen to the words of God’s messengers the prophets. Maybe it is our responsibility as the faithful to be God’s messengers today. Maybe it is taking the frog in the kettle, things heating up real fast that will wake us up. I pray this is the case. 

July 14 – Micah 1 – 7

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Micah 1 – 7. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit ~ Microsoft Clip Art

I often find myself in groups of Christians who are struggling with the current state of politics and sin running rampant throughout our present day America. I understand and often agree with them that things are not like they used to be. It saddens me to see that many in our nation no longer find direction and strength in the Word of God like they used to. It saddens me that our leadership on so many levels does not see eye to eye with me when it comes to what we have termed social issues.

While I am saddened, today’s reading reminds me who is in charge. Read these words again from Micah 1:5 “And why is this happening? Because of the rebellion of Israel – yes, the sins of the whole nation. Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion? Samaria, its capital city! Where is the center of idolatry in Judah? In Jerusalem, its capital!” (Micah 1:5 NLT) Throughout the rest Micah’s message we see him preach destruction and hope like other prophets, but he also points to the root of this societal degradation. The sinful leadership of the nations kings and rulers.

Friends, I see a lot of similarities between our nation and the nations of Israel. However, as American citizens we hold some power. I am not convinced that politics is the answer to our nation’s problems. I believe the answer is Jesus Christ and following the teachings of God’s word, the only written truth that exist. Change people and you change the political system in our nation. To change Washington and Columbus (or wherever your state capital is) you must change the hearts of those elected. It also means electing people who have a heart bent on Jesus.

July 13 – 2 Chronicles 27 & Isaiah 9-12

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Chronicles 27 & Isaiah 9-12. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Hope. Do you live your life understanding you have hope? Do you feel like you have hope? Do you pursue your dreams, ambitions, desires knowing hope for you has been taken care of. Today’s reading is full of hope.

In chapter nine of Isaiah the added title (If your Bible has section titles this has often been added by the publishers and translators of your particular translation) tells about the hope of the Messiah. This chapter tells about one who will come from Galilee, the region north of Judah which is in the land of the nation of Israel, to reign forever on David’s throne. That idea of reigning forever on David’s throne signifies that this will be a different kind of kingdom than what Israel and Judah had ever experienced. We know the fulfillment of this prophecy to be the virgin birth of Jesus, born in Bethlehem but raised in Nazareth of Galilee.

The reading is also full of glimmers of hope for Israel and Judah. Destruction and exile has been hinted at over and over throughout the prophetical books. The end of the kingdom as they know it is going to be over. But God doesn’t leave them without hope. Throughout it he reminds them that they will return to their homeland. One day they will find a faithful remnant back in Jerusalem.

One of the strongest messages of the Bible is hope. If you belong to Jesus, if you call him Lord and Savior, then you have hope. You have hope in eternal life with Jesus in heaven. That is the greatest hope ever. 

July 11 – Amos 1 - 5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Amos 1-5. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

 

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

God’s Word blows me away sometimes. We are now in a portion of Scripture that many of us do not read often. There is so much wonderful stuff but out of context it can be very confusing and very discouraging. On top of this it speaks of destruction and desolation. These are not fun things to read about. But in the middle of it God gives us a nugget of amazing truth.

Read these words again … “Listen to this message that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel and Judah—against the entire family I rescued from Egypt: “From among all the families on the earth, I have been intimate with you alone. That is why I must punish you for all your sins.” (Amos 3:1-2 NLT) We are getting closer and closer in our reading to the end of the nations of Israel and Judah. God has sent messengers known as the prophets to declare a message of repentance and to remind them that if they do not they will be disciplined for their actions. If there was any doubt as to why God delivered His punishment to these nations it is right here in the words of Amos.

God disciplined because He considered them to have a special relationship with Him. No one on earth; no tribe, no nation, no people group, and no ethnic race had the level of intimacy with God that Abraham’s descendants through Jacob had. Because of this intimacy God had no choice but to bring discipline. The great thing as we will soon see, this discipline and this punishment, was corrective punishment. It was all there so God could continue His purpose of bringing Jesus Christ into the world.

Parents, teachers, caregivers, let me encourage you to practice corrective discipline. I understand and know it is not always fun to carry out. I understand that it actually does hurt you more than those you are disciplining. But the best you can do sometimes for those you love and care about is by giving them corrective discipline. It is your responsibility to teach them about life, to raise them up, train them, and prepare them to do life on their own out of your wing one day. The lessons you teach in corrective discipline will help to reach those goals. 

July 10 – Isaiah 5-8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 5-8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Our reading today is incredibly rich. It contained a beautiful allegory comparing God’s love and care for the nations of Israel and Judah to a vineyard. We even got to experience the proclamation of hope coming to earth through the virgin Birth. Isn't it exciting to see God laying the foundation for the coming Messiah, our savior Jesus Christ?

One of my favorite excerpts from our reading today deals with Isaiah’s call. Isaiah is called by God and he gets this amazing glimpse of God on his throne in heaven. He sees and hears the seraphim worshiping God. As their voices shake the Temple Isaiah has this realization … “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”  (Isaiah 6:5 NLT). WOW! Do Isaiah’s words resonate with you? Do you feel like him? Do you fill like you are sinful, like you have filthy lips, you say things you know do not honor God, you speak words that tear down others instead of uplift others, and do you realize the world around you is full of filthy lips and lives and actions?

We are incredibly like Isaiah. Isaiah gets a glimpse of God. As followers of Christ, as Christians, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That means God is within you. Not only do you have the promise of spending eternity in front of the throne of God that Isaiah was able to gaze upon, God has taken up residence within you! Now by seeing Isaiah’s reaction, and by knowing what you do about God’s residence, does that change your actions here in this life? I hope it does. 

July 8 – 2 Kings 15 & 2 Chronicles 26

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 15 & 2 Chronicles 26. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

 

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Chains are designed to be hard to break, depending on its design and how much weight you put on it. When you have a project in need of a chain you go to the hardware store and purchase the chain designed for your use and weight you need to put on it. Today in our reading we see a chain of kings in the northern kingdom of Israel who did not follow God. A chain of destruction had been created and it was very hard to break.

Look at your family chain. Maybe you come from a family where following God has not been part of it. Maybe you are the first in your family in generations to really live a life with a relationship with Jesus. Maybe you have stepped up and out and are working to break that chain. At times though you have noticed it is hard when you have family outings, or get togethers, or celebrations or simply conversations where they are trying to pull you back into the chain. Be the broken link in the chain and continue to lean on God and pull your strength from him. Maybe with your leaning on God you will establish a new chain for your family and the generations to come.

Maybe the chain for you is a family heritage that serves God. What a wonderful heritage for you? Work hard in your family to continue that chain and its strength as you pass on faith to the next generation. Do not be like the kings of Judah who seesawed in faith up and down with each new king who sat on the throne. Learn what it will take to raise kids who are devoted followers of Jesus.

July 6 – 2 Kings 14 & 2 Chronicles 25

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 9-11. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

What amazes me about people is we really have not changed much over the millineia. Look at today’s reading. Here is King Amaziah, he listen’s to God and does not carry the 100,000 Israelite troops into battle against the Edomites. He trust God in this instance, and God rewards him, he kills 20,000 Edomites, half by the sword and the other half by throwing them off the cliff … by the way, is not the Bible the best adventure book ever written ~ this is what Hollywood movies are made of. God gives him this amazing victory, but in the plunder stage he brings back the Edomite God’s to worship them.

How much are we like Amaziah? God gives us victories in life, but time and time again we are willing to prostitute ourselves out to other modern gods. Sure we are not diving into the Baals and Ashera of the day. But our sins are the same. Do you know what an Ashera poll was? It was carved image of a male penis. Ashera was a god of fertility. People would perform sex acts in order to evoke Ashera to send rain or open wombs. Now we do not worship Ashera, and turn to her for fertility, but how much do we turn to sex in our culture? All the time! Pornography, adultery, sexual promiscuity are just the obvious answers. But what really shows our cravings as a culture for sex is how much we use it to market our goods and wears. Sex sells does it not? So while we might not worship Ashera, the heart of her worship, sex, is still prevalent today. Sadly the church has not been able to abstain from this temptation either.

So how often do we see God bring us victory and then we turn right away from him? Sadly, all the time. Think about your own life and begin to strategize how you can avoid this trap yourself. 

July 4 – 2 Kings 9-11

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 9-11. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Following God is not a halfhearted event. After becoming king Jehu purges the land of Ahab and all of his family. It is rather difficult event to read about; the killing of Ahab’s seventy sons, and how they were beheaded, and the heads piled into two piles. It is hard to read about that kind of death. It is easy then to turn to and watch the purification of the land. This is a noble thing. However, to purge the land, to follow God both were necessary. Unfortunately, Jehu did not go far enough. He did not completely remove all of the high places, especially the golden calves that Jeroboam erected in Bethel and Dan.

So let me ask you … have you purged your life completely? Are you in the process of doing so? What few things are you holding on to that you know you need to eradicate from your life that just continues to separate you from authentically and truly following God. 

July 3 – 2 Kings 5-8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 5-8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Sometimes we have to learn the hard way don’t we? Maybe it is repeating history. People tend to make the same mistakes each and every generation has. Maybe it is accomplishing a task. For some reason we just do not see the easy way of doing something, so we spend our time learning to do it the hard way. Maybe at times it’s our bullheadedness. Sure we could do it the easy way, but that would mean listening to someone else, or giving in, or acknowledging you just do not have all the answers.

Today we saw a man almost let his pride take him the hard way. Naaman had leprosy. His wife’s servant shared with him about the prophet Elisha and his ability to heal Naaman. So Naaman left his nation of Aram and went to Israel to seek Elisha. Elisha told Naaman to go to the Jordan River and dip himself to wash seven times. Well Naaman had seen the Jordan as he crossed over it and believed it was nowhere near as nice as the rivers back in his homeland. So he thought this advice was silly. Luckily for him, he had wise officers with him.

These officers reasoned with him sharing this idea … “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, would not you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured.!” (2 Kings 5:13 NLT). So where do I need to say that to you? Why do you try the hard route when honoring God can contain the simple route? Why are you willing to do the hard things for God but completely ignore the simple things that build a solid foundation for spiritual growth?

July 2 – 2 Kings 1-4

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Kings 1-4. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Most days I try to have something spiritual to say about our daily Bible reading. Every day the Bible teaches us great lessons. Every day there is a devotional thought we can pull from the text. But you know sometimes reading the Bible is simply fun. It’s like playing in the water while trying to give a dog a bath. It’s like going down that first hill on a rollercoaster. It’s like sitting down to read a novel that will take you to a far away land. It is simply fun. Today was one of those days. It’s not overly confusing. It’s not hard to get mental images of the text in your minds. The Bible paints a graphic image of an amazing exchange of prophetical leadership between Elijah and Elisha.

In fact it is here my wife’s favorite Bible story appears in the text … look back at the story in 2 Kings 2:23-25. I listen to the Bible on my iPad from YouVersion each morning while I am getting ready and when she heard this she shouted with excitement … “This is my story!”  Elisha is returning the Bethel, he is mocked by some youths where he decides to call a curse on them. Two bears appear mauling forty-two of the youths. I do not know why this is Crystal’s favorite story in the Bible but it is.

So do you find the Bible fun to read? Do you have a favorite story? Share in the comments below. 

July 1 – Obadiah

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Obadiah. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Today we turn a new tide in our reading program. Through the course of the history of Israel and Judah God will send messengers to correct the behavior of his people. These messengers are known as prophets. Some of the prophets simply preached and we will read about them and their actions through the course of the narrative in both Kings and Chronicles. Some of the prophets were writing prophets. The writing prophets accomplished a few things in their writings. Some of the writings were narratives, typically told in first person ... their reaction and observations of how details of the story play out. Some of the writings were in journal form … possibly their own personal struggles with God or their prayers to God. Other writings were written to the nations of Israel and Judah as a call to repentance and even a call to remain hopeful.

Today we encounter our first prophet in our chronological reading of the Bible. We encounter God’s prophet Obadiah. Obadiah writes of a vision he had about the nation of Edom. Edom means “red” and it was the name given to Esua, the brother of Jacob, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. The nation of Edom at this point is the distant relatives of Israel and Judah. They have not treated Israel very well from the time they came out of Egypt to their possession of the land. For that, God brings wrath upon them, and he proclaims this through the messenger Obadiah.

There are arguments in the scholarly community of when Obadiah chronologically takes place in the narrative. Some argue its placement where we find it today. Others argue based upon the state that Jerusalem lies in verses 11-14, which would put it after the destruction in 586. B.C. Regardless this is a pronouncement from God on Edom that he looks out for his people, and delivers punishment when necessary.

Here’s a cool reminder … do not fight your own battles. Rely on God. Let God fight your battles. His discipline will be the correct discipline.