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  Bible reading for Sept 1 -- 2 Sep 1 -- Ezekiel 4 and Psalm 40-41 Sep 2 -- Ezekiel 5 and Psalm 42-43 ================   "And you, son of man, take a brick and lay it before you, and engrave on it a city, even Jerusalem. And put siegeworks against it, and build a siege wall against it, and cast up a mound against it. Set camps also against it, and plant battering rams against it all around." (Ezekiel 4:1-2) TWO SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS (ch 4-5). Most all of us have seen, at one time or another, preachers use object illustrations in the pulpit. Some may have been helpful,and others not so. Ezekiel's hearers were meeting publicly -- outdoors, since they hadn't built a synagogue yet -- and the Lord directs Ezekiel to act out these dramas. The siege drama would last over a year. Now, these illustrations were not meant to be amusing but to reinforce the deadly seriousness of what was taking place in Jerusalem. ================    "He put a new song in my mouth, a song o...

Bible reading for weekend April 16 -- 18 Apr 16 -- Ecclesiastes 3 and 1 Timothy 5 Apr 17 -- Ecclesiastes 4 and 1 Timothy 6 Apr 18 -- Ecclesiastes 5 and 2 Timothy 1 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) SEASONS. Last night I received word that a beloved friend and fellow pastor had gone to be with the Lord. His destination is sure and glorious. In the words of Tolkien, our brother left the Grey Havens bound for Valinor, the land of immortality. The juxtaposition of our loss with the beauty of spring all around us should not be missed. Maybe the older you become the more you see it: "a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die..." (vv 1-2). In his wisdom Solomon is telling us about the seasons and the cycles of life under the sun. Life is full of limitations -- in our understanding,...

Bible reading for October 27.  2 Kings 8. "Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, since he promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever." (2 Kings 8:19)   GOD'S TIMING AND PURPOSE. The Shunammite woman left her land for a season, but returns and receives her property back in a remarkable, providential timing (vv 1-6). Then the sad story of Elisha, Ben-Hadad, and Hazael (vv 7-15).  Jehoram becomes a wicked ruler over Judah, much like the kings of Israel. Edom rebels against Judah and Jehoram dies after an eight-year reign. Ahaziah becomes king in Judah (the south), ruling only one year. And Joram (the north) gets injured in battle with Syria. For all their alliances and military power, the two nations, Judah and Israel, are not faring well. We catch a glimpse of God's purpose in preserving Judah: it is for the sake of King David, to give a lamp to his lineage until the Light of the world would come. This Lamp, of co...

Bible reading for June 18.  Deuteronomy 23. "You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. He shall dwell with you, in your midst, in the place that he shall choose within one of your towns, wherever it suits him. You shall not wrong him." (Deuteronomy 23:15-16)  PURITY (vv 1-18). It seems that one key theme here is purity. Purity of congregational worship, of personal sanitation, and of sexuality (vv 1-18). Some groups were excluded from worship with Israel. God is not racist, since he created humanity, and all ethnicities will be gathered around his throne (Rev 5:9-10; 7:9). There really is only one race -- the human race. But the groups excluded from worship in Jerusalem were nearby nations who were hostile to Israel. By God's grace there were exceptions: Rahab (a Canaanite) and Ruth (a Moabite). Faith made the difference and brought them into fellowship with God's people.  Nor is God against the disabled -- think of...

Bible reading for April 30.  Numbers 7. "And the LORD said to Moses, 'They shall offer their offerings, one chief each day, for the dedication of the altar.'" (Numbers 7:11) A HOLY HOUSEWARMING. This passage reminds me of a kind of wedding shower, where gifts are provided in matching sets for the new couple.  Here, God's house is being dedicated and each tribe brings offerings -- sacrifices to be offered on the altar and matched utensils for ongoing service.  Twelve tribes on twelve days bring valuable gifts.  Judah is first (Gen 49:8) and then each following day the pattern is repeated -- of dedication, sacrifice, and feasting.  It was both solemn and celebratory. If you remember, the peace offerings were shared with all gathered at the tabernacle. So, it was twelve days of consecration to God and a community celebration at the same time.  MY TAKEAWAY.   This may seem random, but in considering the public solemnity and joy of dedicating G...

"Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality." (Romans 12:13 HCSB) This is a short verse, but touches upon a large topic in the Bible.  You may want to go deeper into the Word on the issue of sharing our resources and our homes with those in need.  Below are some key passages to consider.   For further study :   Genesis 1-3 ... God provides food and covering for his creatures; humans are soul/body beings who have material needs as well as spiritual. Exodus 23:6-11 ... In the Law God gives many instructions about the care and protection of the poor, widows, the fatherless, and resident aliens (“sojourners”). Job 29:11-16 ... In one of the oldest books of the Bible, Job speaks of his care for the poor. Psalm 112:9 ... The care of the poor is a characteristic (and blessing) of righteousness. Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 7:6 ... Justice toward the poor is a big issue in the writings of the OT Prophets. Matthew 6:19-21; 19:16-2...