bible reading weekend sept 19-20

Bible reading for weekend September 19-20.

2 Samuel 15-16.

"Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel." (2 Samuel 15:6)

ABSALOM'S CAMPAIGN. Talk about a political campaigner, Absalom took the prize. He was relational, smooth, and he spoke wonderful words of promise. He looked good and presented well. But then his treachery is revealed in a calculated takeover. One of David's worst enemies has arisen from his own family (Matt 10:36). But David still has loyal friends working on his behalf. He humbly receives the curses of Shimei, resigning himself to the Lord's mercy: "Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today" (16:11-12).

REFLECT. Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 portray certain world rulers as beasts. Their period of rule has been permitted by God but they themselves are driven by ravenous desires. Absalom is a lesson that the masses can be won over by charismatic leaders whose real intentions are evil. As we face national elections soon, how do we go about making wise choices? How do we come to know the truth about candidates?

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2 Corinthians 8-9.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)

CHRISTIAN GIVING. These two chapters are important for us in understanding the ministry of giving, specifically as it applies to believers today under the new covenant. As a pastor I've often been asked about giving a tithe, whether or not that was still the pattern in the New Testament. I think a tithe is a great place to start in giving but the emphasis that Paul gives is upon generosity as patterned by our Lord Jesus (8:9). There is to be a freeness, a joy, and a generosity in our giving which comes from living under God's abundant grace. Here's a good summary: "whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (9:6-8)

REFLECT. As you read these two chapters, what other principles of giving do you see? Are there any changes you need to make? What will help you be more free, joyful, and generous in your giving?

Image credit: photo by Elliott Stallion on Unsplash. We are following the Robert Murray M'Cheyne (RMM) two-year reading schedule, as arranged by D. A. Carson. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. One recommended resource is NETBible.org, a ministry of bible.org.

Howard Hendricks on OT books chronology

When I was in seminary, Howard Hendricks (aka "Prof") gave us a little card with the books of the OT chronologically arranged. The scanned copy I have was a bit blurry and I wanted to make something like this available for our church class in OT theology ("Story of Redemption"). A few minor edits and here it is...

clement quotes hebrews

Clement of Rome wrote to the church in Corinth around AD 90. This is perhaps the same Clement, companion of Paul, mentioned in Philippians 4:3. Many hold him to be the first bishop / pope in Rome, aka St. Clement I. Clement quotes from the letter to the Hebrews. Origin suggested that Clement was in fact the writer (as transcriber or amanuensis) of Hebrews. Perhaps this letter began as a "word of exhortation" given by Paul at the synagogue (Heb 13:22; cf Acts 13:15) which then became a circular letter for the churches. Other possible authors of Hebrews include Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos. The theology is Pauline, but the transcriber is obviously second-generation (Heb. 2:3-4). At any rate, this early church leader in Rome, is already quoting Hebrews in his letter in AD 90: CHAPTER 36 ALL BLESSINGS ARE GIVEN TO US THROUGH CHRIST This is the way, beloved, in which we find our Savior, even Jesus Christ, the High Priest of all our offerings, the defender and he

one-liners

Here are 25 of my favorite one-liners from comedian Steven Wright: 1) I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize. 2) Borrow money from pessimists -- they don't expect it back. 3) Half the people you know are below average. 4) 82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot. 5) A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory. 6) All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand. 7) The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. 8) OK, so what's the speed of dark? 9) How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink? 10) If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something. 11) Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm. 12) When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. 13) Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now. 14) I intend to live forever ... So far, so good. 15) If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends? 16) Eagles may soar, but weasels don'

my burg

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