Sat 090404 pm Mark 14-15 2 Chr 7-8

Mark 14
14.1 trickery doesn't seem very professional for chief priests.
14.2 This seems to indicate a disconnect between the leaders and the people--an interesting dynamic at work.
14.5 criticized her sharply It seems unfortunate when someone who has a good heart and is so sincere is sharply criticized. This also reminds me of the "Make your words tender and sweet cause tomorrow you may have to eat them." We should be judicious in our criticisms.
14.12-16 Miracle or previous understanding that the disciples did not know about? Either way has intriguing food for thought, but I favor thinking of it as a previous understanding.
14.24 This is My blood of the new covenant, which is set for many.
14.29 Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be. Great intention, but a foolish statement and unrealistic expectation.
14.36 all things are possible ... but what You will
14.38 This is a key element of our Christian walk (and warfare).
14.64 and they all condemned Him What does all mean here in light of Joseph of A.?
14.72 he wept I wonder why we don't weep more over our sins and denials.


Mark 15
15.3 accused Him of many things hoping something, anything would stick.
15.10 because of envy This is still a powerful motivation that I must constantly guard against. This seems to be similar to the kids wanting to be first in line. On an important level it is irrational, but still seems to be deep seated, stealthy, and pervasive.
15.11 stirred up the crowd There are still people who "stir up the crowd." We must be discerning and dispassionate about the whims of the majority.
15.15 gratify the crowd We get in so much trouble when we try to satisfy or gratify the crowds.
15.16 the whole garrison I wonder how often the whole garrison was called to an assembly.
15.21 to bear his cross
--It wasn't in his plans.
--It was a "chance" occurance. He was compelled to.
--Appearantly it changed his life in a way that it affected his sons.
--He was told where to carry it.
--It was a great and unexpected honor.
--He probably didn't realize the full signicance of what he did.
15.32 Even those that was probably the cruelest and hardest.


2 Chronicles 7
7.14 It is interesting to take note of the context of this famous verse. When God sends drought, locust, or a plague, if His people call on him He will heal their land. I wonder if the healing does refers to the drought, locusts, or plague instead of the spiritual sense that most assume. This also seems to tie back to the many references to sin and forgiveness mentioned in chapter 6.


2 Chronicles 8
Solomon's achievements.
8.11 Solomon moved the daughter because she was not holy>

Fri 090403 pm Luke 23-24 2Chr 4-6

Luke 23 (again)

23.3 You have said so. There is more to that answer than meets the eye.
23.12 Nothing brings people together like hating Jesus.
23.23 and their voices prevailed
23.34 Did Jesus need that reason to forgive them?
23.42 Jesus, remember me when you com in Your kingdom. What a great salvation prayer!
23.48 beating their breasts It is often tragic when we get our way.

Luke 24

24.12 But Peter... Yeah for Peter!
24.25 foolish ... and slow of heart
24.27 Moses and all the prophets... I am pretty sure that I couldn't do it from all the prophets.
24.38 Why do doubts arise in your hearts? That is the $64,000 question.
24.45 Then He opened their minds... There is the key to spiritual Bible study.

2 Chronicles 4

4.1 bronze altar
4.2-5 Sea of cast bronze
4.4 In light of the whole fiasco at Mt. Sinai, I am curious of why Solomon made the oxen here.
4.6-8 ten lavers, lampstands, and tables
4.9-10
4.11-16 Huram made
4.19-22 Solomon had made

2 Chronicles 5

5.2-10 ark brought to the Temple
5.11-14 the musicians praise the Lord and the glory of the Lord fills the Temple
5.13 For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.

2 Chronicles 6

6.21 forgive
6.24 because they have sinned
6.25 forgive the sin
6.26 because they have sinned
6.26 forgive the sin
6.30 forgive
6.36 when they sin
6.39 forgive Your people
6.41 Let your priests be clothed ... with salvation... This is an interesting figure of speech (I assume). It reminds me of Ephesians 6. I am thinking about what it means to be clothed with salvation.

Thurs 090402 pm 1Chr 27 - 2Chr 3

1 Chronicles 27

27.1-15 officers that served the king(24K each month)
27.6 Benaiah of the 30
27.7 Ashahel, Joab's brother
27.16-24 over the tribes
27.25-34
--26 tillage of the ground
--27 vineyards
--28 olive and sycamore trees
--29 herds
--30 camels
--31 flocks
--32 counselors: Jonathan, David's uncle; Jehiel; Athithophel; Hushai; Hehoiada & Abithar

1 Chronicles 28

28.1-4 announcement regarding the temple
28.5-10 announces that Solomon is to build the temple
28.9 perfect heart - Solomon's big failing
28.11-19 David provides plans and materials
28.20-21 charge to Solomon

1 Chronicles 29

29.1-9 offerings for temple
29.10-21 David blessed the Lord (a prayer)
29.19 give Solomon a loyal heart
29.22-25 Solomon made king again
29.26-30 David dies; David's life recorded in Samuel, Nathan, and Gad's books

2 Chronicles 1

1.2-5 I find it very curious that David seems to have brought just the ark to Jerusalem. It seems to me like he would have brought the whole tabernacle and all the furniture and set it up in Jerusalem.
1.12 reminds me of Matthew 6.33

2 Chronicles 2

2.4 I wonder if Hiram was familiar with the temple worship. It seems kind of odd to mention all the details about the Temple.
2.1-10 Solomon's request for help and materials
2.11-16 Hiram's response
2.17-18 This seems like a harsh way to treat foreigners.

2 Chronicles 3

3.3-7 the foundation
3.8-14 the Most Holy Place
3.15-17 the front of the temple
3.17 I was wondering who Jachin was, but it seems that it is the meaning of the name that was in view (He shall establish). This is a verse that, from a Bible translation perspective, is a good case study for how you decide when to transliterate and when to use the meaning.

Wed 090316 pm 1Chr 24-26

1 Chronicles 24
24.1-3 Nadab and Abihu died with no kids.
24.4-Eleazar and Ithamar
24.7-19 schedule of service
24.20-31 the rest of the Levites


1 Chronicles 25
25.1-7 sons of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Hermon 288
25.1 who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals
25.8-31 lots for their duty


1 Chronicles 26
26.1-11 divisions of the gatekeepers of the Korahites
26.12-19 And they cast lots for each gate
26.20-28 over the treasuries of the house of God
26.29-32 as officials and judges

Wed 090401 am Ancient Christian Devotional

Ancient Christian Devotional by Thomas C. Oden

Acts 10.34-43 I am struck by the whole package.

• Baptism by John,
• God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit,
• He went about doing good,
• was killed,
• God raised Him,
• God showed Him openly, not to all people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, and finally
• God commanded us to preach that
• God ordained Christ to judge the living and the dead.

Gregory of Nyssa "...both as a priest and a lamb..."

Psalm 118
118.2 Let Israel now say... Let me say too.
118.18 The Lord has chastened me severely, But he has not given me over to death. and then remember verse 1 again and verse 29

Augustine
"...the one who made the promise doesn't cheat us." ---Sermons 350A.4

Matthew 28
28.9 Jesus told the women, "Rejoice."
28.9 held him by the feet and worshiped Him Sometimes the Greek word for worship can mean to bow down before, but here that meaning would be redundant. They worshipped Him and clung to Him.
28.16 but some doubted Still! Even after all they had seen. I am glad God loves and strengthens doubters.

Peter Chrysologus
" He did not roll back the stone to provide a way of escape for the Lord but to show the world that the Lord had already risen."
"Pray, brothers, that the angel would descend now and roll away all the hardness of our hearts and open up our closed senses and declare to our minds that Christ has risen..." Sermons 75.4

Tues 090331 pm Acts 5 & The Glory of God essay

Acts 5

5.1-11 Ananias and Saphira were a great couple in many respects. He was the leader and she was submissive. They had good communication and planning. They did things together. They were unified and loyal. However, they served mammon instead of the Lord, were proud wanting the honor of men, and added the deadly aggravation of pretense which caused them to lie.
5.11 great fear I wonder if this would be better described as "reverent awe" or shaking in your boots afraid.
5.28 His blood on us Check out Matt. 27.25. My how our stories change.
5.30 Peter really makes the contract between man's rejection and God's affirmation of Christ.
5.41 counted worthy to suffer Thinking about whether I am worthy to suffer is very thought provoking. What makes one worthy.

The glory of God

This evening I worked on a definition for the glory of God. I will have to think about it some more, but here is my first draft.
When we speak of the glory of God we usually have one of three things in mind. Many times that the Bible uses the word glory two or three of these meanings are blended.

First, is God’s perfect excellence, the source of His glory.
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Psa 148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven.

Second is the visual manifestation of His glory/excellence. This has a second thought of the presence of God.
Exd 24:17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD [was] like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
Lev 9:23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

Third is praising God’s glory/excellent or giving honor to God for his glory/excellence. It also has an inference in this context to His reputation.
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luk 17:18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Act 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Psa 96:8 Give unto the LORD the glory [due unto] his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

Tues 090331 am Lk 23

Luke 23 (again)

23.1-6 Pilate
23.7-12 Herod
23.13-25 Pilate
23.26 Simon a Cyrenian
23.27-31 Daughters of Jerusalem
23.32, 39-43 two crimnals
23.47-49 regrets expressed
23.51-54 Joseph, a council member, had not consented to their decision and deed.
23.51 their deed Even though their hands had not done the crime, their words caused them to own it.
23.55-56 the women

Mon 090330 pm Victorious Praying Ch 26 & Lk 22

A Journey to Victorious Praying by Bill Thrasher
Chapter 26: "Knowing When to Keep Praying"

Matt 15.22-28 "...appearing to be hard on her was to elicit a perseverance in prayer to give her not only what she asked for but even more than she knew how to ask."

Why has God chosen to work through persevering prayer?

• 
  
  To purify our desires.
• 
  
  To prepare us for His answer.
• 
  
  To develop our life and character.
• 
  
  To be used of God in spiritual warfare.
• 
  
  To bless us with a more intimate relationship with God

What does Scripture say about perseverance? Isa. 62.6-7; Matt. 7.7-11; Luke 11.5-8; 18.1-8; Gen. 18.22-33; 32:24-29
...our posture is that we are God's servant and He is not our servant.
...to pray Scripture to the Lord...
An unwillingness to wait may reflect a lack of submission in your life.

Aids to persevering intercession. Appeal to ...

• 
  
  God's attributes Psa. 51.1
• 
  
  God's promises Gen. 32.9-12
• 
  
  God's honor and reputation Ex. 32.12; Psa. 25.11; 115.1
• 
  
  the need of God's people Ex. 14.10
• 
  
  God's past action Psa. 4.1
• 
  
  our union with Christ Rom. 15.30
• 
  
  the truth that God may be known Ex. 33.12

Luke 22 (again)

22.15 I have desired to eat this passover with you... Jesus desire to eat with them. Do we desire to eat the Lord's Supper with Him. What does that mean to eat the Lord's Supper with Him? On one level it is to be unified with Him in spirit as we eat it. On another level, it is to long for the time when he will return for us, and we will eat it with Him in glory.

22.45 It seems I am still struggling with the same problem they had, "sleeping" instead of watching and praying..

22. ...as it has been determined ... woe to that man by whom... God as sovereign king and as just judge of man's choices and actions.

22.39 as He was accustomed... Learning to pray in the time of trouble is a loosing proposition. Jesus was practiced, prayed up, and ready when trouble approached.

22.45 It seems I am still struggling with the same problem they had, "sleeping" instead of watching and praying.

22.49-50 How often do we ask and fail to wait for the answer?

22.57 I wonder what would have happened if Peter had acknowledge being Jesus' follower.

Mon 090330 am Lk 16-23

Luke 16

16.9 Good point on using material things to further spiritual purposes.
16.13 This seems to be an odd application to the previous parable. It would be good food for thought.
16.20 And at his gate... I am responsible for those the Lord puts in my path.
16.31 Salvation is about the heart not the evidence. The Word is the evidence a ready heart needs.

Luke 17

17.4 How is it repentance if it happens seven times in one day?
17.9 when you have done all that you are commanded... We usually think we are pretty special.
17. 29 fire and sulfur I can't imagine what the natural phenomenon or explanation would be for it to rain sulfur. Surely there wasn't enough pollution to cause that kind of acid rain.
17.32 Great verse. It will preach.

Luke 18

18.1 and not loose heart.
18.7 to His elect This seems to be a someone unique expression. It gives much to ponder.
18.18-30 This must be a good passage for "The Way of the Master" people to interact with.
18.34 If this was hidden from them, then it must have been said for them to remember later and appreciate after the fact. This might be instructive for our approach to prophecies.

Luke 19

19.6 they all grumbled Boy, we can even grumble about who repents!
19.14 this man or any man?
19.28 I am wondering why Luke put this story next to the Triumphal Entry. It's an interesting combination.
19.42 Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! The eschatological context of this statement makes it very interesting to think about.
19.46 a house of prayer I am afraid that prayer is not the primary activity even in most good churches.

Luke 20

20.7-8 Get real or get lost.
20.35 neither are given in marriage...like the angels... It is hard to understand would things will be like without male and female distinctions. When I think about my sexuality as a temporary thing, it helps to give perspective.

Luke 21

21.8 See that you are not led astray. is an instructive response to a question about the date of end time events.
21.36 stay awake at all times, praying... Surely our lack of prayer is a sign of spiritual lethargy and unpreparedness for the end times.

Luke 22

22.24 We are still discussing this and thinking about it.
22.31 that he might sift you Jesus didn't prevent it, but prayed that his faith would not fail. So, when Peter denies Christ three times, did his faith fail? It seems incredulous to me that Jesus would pray something like that for His elect and not have the prayer answered.
22.38 What did they think they would accomplish with just two swords?
22.45 sleeping for sorrow Does sorrow make you tired?
22.62 wept bitterly He understood what he had done and hated it. It is worth noting that only Peter and John were close enough to deny and that only Peter is recorded to have been confronted.
22.68 compare with Luke 20.1-8
22.71 This must be a difficult passage for those who deny that our Lord Jesus Christ is God.

Luke 23

22.4 That's a great thing to be accused of.
22.23 and their voices prevailed It is usually sad when the bitter whiners get their way.
22.50 There was a man God always seems to have "a man" ready. I want to be such a man.

Sun 090329 pm 1 Chr 13-23 Victorious Praying Ch 5

2 Chronicles 13 oops :o)

In the 18th year of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king...

18.14 and they cried out to the Lord ... God struck Jeraboam
18.22 his ways, and his sayings are written in the annals of the prophet Iddo. The writing of his sayings and ways is different from the normal phrasing. This might be a indications of some kind of spiritual depth.

A Journey to Victorious Praying by Bill Thrasher

Chapter 5: "Transforming Your Anxiety into Peace "
"God's peace does not mean a freedom from all emotion and concern."
Concern + faith = a biblical virtue.

1. Anxiety accomplished nothing positive. Worry is like a rocking chair.
2. Anxiety chokes God's Word from bearing fruit.
3. Anxiety hinders our perspective.
4. Anxiety steals opportunities. (Martha)

Every temptation to be anxious is a call to prayer.

1 Chronicles 13

13.11 And David became angry because of the Lord's outbreak... This is an intriguing response from a man after God's own heart. David was "real" with God.
13.14 And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had.

1 Chronicles 14

14.10 and David inquired of God...
14.14 David inquired again of the Lord...
14.17 and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.

1 Chronicles 15

15.13 ...the Lord our God broke out against us because we dd not consult Him and the proper order.
15.13 ...because he did not consult Him... The root of many of our problems.

1 Chronicles 16

16.8-36 David delivered this psalm to Asaph and his brethren.

1 Chronicles 17

17. 21 A great attitude for believers today.

1 Chronicles 18

18.14 David administered judgment and justice to all his people. That is a great accolade for a national leader.

1 Chronicles 19

19.3-5 The Ammonites could have used a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People.

1 Chronicles 20

20.4 Sippai, son of the giant, was killed by Sibbechai.
20.5 Lahmi, the brother of Goliath is killed by Elhanan.
20.7 Jonathan (son of Shimea) killed a giant with 24 fingers and toes.

1 Chronicles 21

21.1 Satan stood up against Israel is an interesting expression.
21.3 It seems Job recognized that this was not right and tried to counsel David. I hope that I will always have the good sense to heed good counsel.
21.14 The Lord sent a plague It didn't say He allowed it or and evil spirit did it. God executes His own judgment.
21.16-17 A great example of intercessory prayer.

1 Chronicles 22

22.5 If you can't do all you want, do all you can.
22.8 Our life background and God's purposes make us right for some tasks and not for others.
22.14 David was loaded! It would make Bill Gates look puny. And David didn't have his is stocks. His was in precious metals.
22.19 Now set your heart and soul to seek the Lord your God. If only Solomon had done that, things would have been much different.

1 Chronicles 23

23.7-12 Gershonites
23.12-20 sons of Kohath
23.21-23 sons of Mereri

1 Chronicle 24

Lots of names of Levites assigned to serve in the temple.