Author Archives: chadzaucha

Here is today’s Bible reading:  1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27.

Psalm 126:5-6 (NIV)  
    Those who sow in tears
        will reap with songs of joy.
    [6] He who goes out weeping,
        carrying seed to sow,
    will return with songs of joy,
        carrying sheaves with him.

This great Psalm of hope has meant a lot to me.  For those in Christ, the best is always yet to come. He is in the business of taking our season of tears and turning it into joy and fruitfulness. 

Acts 6:15 (NIV)  
    All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

This guy was the real deal.  He is facing death and totally at peace.  It was not Stephen, but the Holy Spirit living through him. 

1 Kings 3:10-13 (NIV)  
    The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. [11] So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, [12] I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. [13] Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for–both riches and honor–so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.

Good answer Solomon!  We desperately need God’s wisdom.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25.

Psalm 125:1 (NIV)
A song of ascents.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

We can be unshakeable!  We do not have to be tossed to and fro by our constantly changing circumstances.    Regardless of who or what comes against us, we can be secure in Christ.  The question is, will we trust Him?

Acts 5:18-20 (NIV)
They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. [19] But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. [20] “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.”

May God release us from our people pleasing prisons that we might proclaim His Truth plainly and with power.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24.

Acts 4:13 (NIV) 
    When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Ordinary men become extraordinary when they spend time with Jesus.

Acts 4:20 (NIV) 
    For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Evangelism is not a program or a strategy.  It is the natural overflow of a life with Jesus.

“In today’s sophisticated and selfish society we are much more likely to criticize than praise, quicker to complain than to thank, and more ready to vent disappointment before expressing gratitude (Celia Bowering, xii).”

“Would you know him who is the greatest saint in the world?  It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives most alms, but it is he who is always thankful to God, who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it (William Law, xii).”

Here is today’s Bible reading:  2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23.

Why was God so displeased when David counted his troops?  I believe it was because David had begun to trust in his own might rather than God’s.  Pride had crept in.  This is ironic because David himself had written:  Psalm 20:7 (NIV)  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. This story shows us that we must be ever vigilant about exercising a humble dependence upon God.  Zech. 4:6 (NIV)  So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

After missing some days of reading, I’m ready to get back on this horse.  Let’s do this!

Here is today’s Bible reading: 2 Samuel 22:21-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20.

Acts 2:38-40 (NIV) 
    Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
    [40] With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

This is not a very seeker-sensitive presentation of the Gospel.  Could it have possibly been effective?

Acts 2:41 (NIV) 
    Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

I guess so!

2 Samuel 23:8 (NIV) 
    These are the names of David’s mighty men:

I love this passage.  I want to be known as a mighty man of God.
 

Bible Journey will be silent the next week while we travel to Michigan.  I intend to keep up with the reading and return to posting when we get back.  I will probably post some updates on our trip via Twitter. 

Thanks to Tom for taking care of the house and the dog.

“Wake Up!” Romans 13:11-14

Here is today’s Bible reading:  2 Samuel 2:12-3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16;
Proverbs 15:29-30.

John 13:15-17 (NIV)
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Are you looking to serve or be served today?