2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28 + Romans 12:1-21 + Psalm 22:19-31 + Proverbs 20:8-10
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~
Old Testament – Today in Second Chronicles 24 verse 1 we read – “Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years.” This is quite a young age to be crowned king! (yep, that’s Joash on the right in the image below – the priest presenting him to the people is on the left)
Did you notice in today’s readings that Joash followed God in his early years, when Jehoiada the priest was alive (verses 1-16), and then turned to evil and idolatry after Jehoiada’s death (verses 17-27)? One of the saddest parts was Joash’s murder of Jehoiada’s grandson Zechariah in verse 20. (Note that the text says son, but scholars believe Jehoiada’s son was Berekiah, and Zechariah was Berekiah’s son – Biblical genealogies sometimes skip a generation.) Jesus Himself references the atrocity of this murder when facing His own murderers in Matthew 23:35! This quote of Jesus’ comes just after delivering his seven woes in Matthew 23: “And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.”
New Testament – Wow! Could Romans chapter 12 be one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible?? I love this chapter… Please take a moment to re-read this chapter if you can. Verses 1 through 3 have been so powerful for me personally since the early days of my Christian walk – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” I really don’t know what commentary I could add to these words of Paul’s. I love the thought of our bodies being living sacrifices to God. (There is of course the old joke that the only problem with a living sacrifice is that it tends to crawl off the altar… 🙂 And the warning to not conform any longer to the pattern of this world is so so so true…. and we all know it. But I find myself still falling prey to the pattern of this world. Its temptations do not cease. But! We can be transformed by the renewing of our minds to test and approve what God’s will is. Through a loving and growing relationship with Jesus, we can overcome the temptations and the death this world will offer us all too frequently. In view of God’s mercy, will you offer your body today as God as a living sacrifice?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “The Road to Renewal” is at this link and “Thinking Straight about Spiritual Gifts” is at this link and “What is this Thing Called Love” is at this link. Below are 2 wonderful images for Romans chapter 12 verse 2 and verses 4 & 5:
Psalms – What’s one good reason to go to church at all? Check out Psalm 22 verse 22: “Then I will declare the wonder of your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among all your people.” Praising God with other brothers and sisters through worship, tithing, learning, serving and being in community in church is a great reason to go to church! To declare the wonder of God’s name! To praise God among all his people. Wow… yes… this is church!
Proverbs – Proverbs 20 verse 10 is convicting – “The LORD despises double standards of every kind.” I am afraid that I often do have double standards in the way I live my own life. I am afraid perhaps we all do to a degree. We hold ourselves to one standard when we are at church and among our friends and maybe even typing on this blog… 🙂 But, then, late at night or early in the morning or during the day perhaps we let this standard – this Christian standard – simply go. We become judgmental. We gossip. We complain. We lust. We give in to our old addictions. We fall prey to a double standard. Please don’t ever forget that God calls us to the highest standard! And he sent us his Son Jesus to set us free from the bondage of sin from the bondage of double standards. Through faith in Jesus we are gifted with the Holy Spirit living within our very bodies, which is an amazing blessing to consider! God gives us everything that we need to live a life of high moral standards. Will we pray unceasingly to let our double standards go? Will we leave the double standards behind once and for all? Will we stop living our lives with two faces?
Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of Christian Paul’s song “Yes I am:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t7T5Bz78Jc
Are you born again? Click here to be born again!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are offering your body as a living sacrifice to God today. Pray that you are not conforming to the pattern of this world, but are being transformed by the renewing of your mind. Pray you are walking and living in the center of God’s will for your life – His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
II Chronicles 24-25:28
I’m not sure if I’ve covered this in my writing before but I’ve been focused, obsessed whatever the word used, with Proverbs 25:28 for at least three to four years. I meditate on it, I ask God for a clearer understanding of what it means, and it reads like this in the Amplified translation,
He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.
(Pro 25:28 AMP)
The notes in the Amplified cross-reference this verse with the sixteenth chapter and the thirty-second verse,
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his [own] spirit than he who takes a city.
(Pro 16:32 AMP)
Self-control as opposed to external control seems to be key in walking with God. I do not believe we have it within ourselves to maintain control of ourselves outside of Jesus Christ. External controls do work in most instances; however, once those controls are removed, well…who we really are comes out. Joash operated under pressure of external control, Jehoiada the priest. His son, Amaziah, operated under the external pressure of fear; as long as he was under the threat of an invading army, he looked to the Lord. When God defeated that army, Amaziah became like most of us, he took the glory for himself. Pride led him to believe that he now was “All that and a bag of chips.” Wouldn’t it be a shame and silly for the donkey, that Jesus rode on when he entered Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowds, to think that the palms, the cheers the shouts of Hosanna, were for him? Yet we take credit every day for the things God has worked out for us. We think we are, “All that and a bag of chips with a Sneakers Bar thrown in.”
Internal controls will keep us, I believe, from operating with duel personalities, one way with folks and the other way when we think no one is looking. Who we really are is who we are when we are by ourselves. That is really, really scary and unsettling to admit.
It is amazing how these readings fit together, a theme from the Old Testament dovetails right into the New
Romans 12:1-21
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Rom 12:1-2 KJVR)
I just love the poetry of the King James in these two verses. The key, I believe to gaining self-control can be found in these wonderful two verses. We need to have our minds renewed, we need to change the way we think. We need to come out of thinking as the world thinks and begin to think as God thinks. This renewing of the mind really hit me the end of last year.
I have a two-bedroom apartment, which has three-sided exposure, north, east and south. In November 2004 I found out that the external and the inside walls between the kitchen and bathroom as well as one of the bedrooms were loaded with mold. And because the bricks had not been pointed for probably ten years, the inside external walls had mold also. I had a complete gut renovation in my apartment with my furniture inside and covered up (dust, no matter how well you cover everything will get in that is what dusts does). With no walls, no bathroom, no radiators and no kitchen sink I bunked at my neighbors and God showed me what it means to renew one’s mind, as well as the insidiousness of sin as represented by mold (leprosy in a house) in the Book of Leviticus (14:34-55).
On deep inspection, my apartment walls were of two minds they looked fine on the outside but on the inside, things were rotten and moldy. They could not spray it out or clean it with a mixture of bleach, the walls had to come down. The Greek word translated, “Renew” in the King James Version came to life for me and God continually brought Romans 12:1-2 to my mind for the three weeks I slept on my neighbor’s couch.
G342
ἀνακαίνωσις
anakainōsis
an-ak-ah’ee-no-sis
From G341; renovation: – renewing.
We have been so ingrained in the thinking of the ways of the world instead of the ways of God, we need gut renovations of the mind. There are walls that need to come down. This Site provides the opportunity for everyone who comes through these portals to begin that renovation so that the duality of thinking we have become so use to stops. I also saw in that process of renovation how uncomfortable I felt while the walls I had become so accustomed to came down and finally were no longer there. There were no radiators, no toilet, no bathtub and sink. I had to use someone else’s facilities (Could this have been an example of how Christian Brothers and Sisters “bear” up one and another when someone goes through this process of renovation?).
Psalm 22:19-31
27
The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him.
People from every nation will bow down before him.
28
For the LORD is king!
He rules all the nations.
When things don’t seem to be going well, when people look like they are getting away with murder, figuratively and literally, these two verses let us know that God will rule and all of us who are rebellious will bow before the Lord and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord.
Proverbs 20:8-10
At first glance, the eighth verse appears to be kind of off,
8 When a king judges, he carefully weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.
If I think back in history and even looking at the kings in the Bible—-well, they didn’t judge fairly let alone distinguish right from wrong, good from evil. But then I looked again. One who is a “true” king and the one who is the True King will judge fairly and righteously. Having a crown on one’s head has as much to do with making one a king as a mouse falling into the cookie jar making it a cookie.
And to top it all off, verse nine and ten overarch everything in today’s readings that deal with hypocrisy, duality of one’s thinking and just straddling the fence when it comes to our Christian walk,
9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?
10 The LORD despises double standards of every kind.
I truly believe this; the above cannot be done until we walk in full submission to God. We can try on our own strength but we will fail. Unless we submit to God, presenting our bodies by placing ourselves on the Alter of God and allowing Him to set us on fire burning off everything that is not of Him, and leave those fire extinguishers home.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====== Vance:
Perhaps my comments and meditations have been a bit too long for this format.
I am not trying to provide a long devotional for “show”. I actually only put what I have been meditating on in my own life.
For today, I can only add this one meditation from my own devotional… which fits well into NOT HAVING a double standard and PRESENTING our lives
Numbers 14 is the infamous chapter when the children of Israel finally rebelled against the Lord. After the twelve (12) spies had come back from viewing the people and the land God had promised them, the people literally “went berserk”. They wanted to stone the two (2) faithful spies. They planned to “hire” a new leader, and go back to slavery in Egypt (more comfortable ?!!?)
Numbers 14, verses 9 and 10 (Amplified) really hit me hard this morning. It fits right in with choosing to be a living sacrifice and choosing to not have double standards — which we can ONLY do with the help of God’s Spirit:
9
Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not.
10
But all the congregation said to stone [Joshua and Caleb] with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting before all the Israelites….
This is very instructive for me in my life right now:
— Faith is NOT a feeling. Faith is a CHOICE.
What do I do IF all “hell” seems to be coming against me, and I feel as if absolutely cannot do what God tells me to do?
This passage instructs me that my soul (will, mind, emotions) and body can be trained — through my conscious choice and dependence on the Father — to do God’s will.
“Though it feels as if He slays me, Yet I will trust Him.” (my paraphrase of Job’s words)
Actually,
I am conviced God allows these “slaying of the flesh” times so we can walk in the death to the sinful nature that Jesus already paid for and purchased for us.
Vance
====== Eve:
I like your post. Honestly both Romans12:1-3 and Proverbs20:10 are seem significant to me. I have been accused of being two faced in years past, and I wish I had seen my body as a living sacrifice. I can only pray that I will be able to do so now. Thanks:)
Eve
====== Nathan:
The Romans passage really hit home for me today. I am a manager of a christian radio station & music Director of our church, yet I still struggle with God’s will for me. I don’t have a peace with where I’m at in my life & what I’m doing. I’ve always struggled with God’s perfect will for me as far as a vocation. The Romans passage today seemed to have the answer. I just didn’t see it before. The proverbs passage hit home today as well. I really enjoy making this web site part of my devotions. I look forward to the insights that are shared.
Nathan
====== Jan:
Mike, thank you for providing the link for the article “What is this Thing Called Love” – what a wonderfully truthful article & so apropos for me at this time in my walk. I have been ministering the love of God to people in such a way that they probably don’t see it like that & had to deal with an issue last night (before reading the article) that grieved me to do & did with fear & trembling. As always, God confirms with His love & wisdom the next day as He usually does because I am always doubting myself. I have forwarded the article to many that I do love & some that don’t love me & may be an enemy now – but I will not shrink back as the Word of God says in loving others with His love, whether it hurts them or me. Dying to ourselves daily & laying down our lives for others is usually not an easy job nor relished by many – but the fruit of our labor & reward in eternity is worth it all.
Jan
======= John:
Romans 12:1-21
Paul has concluded the lecture part of Christianity 101. Up to now, we have been exposed to the background information of Condemnation, Justification, Sanctification, History, and Prophecy.
Now it is time for the lab – the practical application. Here the rubber hits the road.
======================================================
Living Sacrifices
We know how to become a Christian – you mean there is more? Yes, Salvation is more than fire insurance.
We are to offer our bodies as “living sacrifices”…
The Greek verb tenses indicate you offer (completed action) the ongoing sacrifice of your body. It is to be year by year, month by month, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.
Some say martyrdom is easier than the idea of continually trying to live as a Christian 24/7. Perhaps but that is not what Paul is saying – he is asking you to yield to God, to offer “all of you” (no holding back), submit to His Will, you do not run the “show” anymore.
…holy and pleasing to God…
Wait a minute, what about our worldly “flesh” that is not going to please God.
Yielding to God is pleasing to Him. The altar in the OT is sometimes called the “Lord’s table”. When we offer ourselves (yielding) on the Lord’s table, perhaps Ex 29:27 applies?
“Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.” NIV
-or-
“The holiness we bring to the altar is a decision for holiness, and yielding to the work of holiness in our life. As we present our bodies a living sacrifice, God makes our life holy by burning away impurities – David Guzik
…this is your rational/logical act of worship.
The sacrifice of dead animals in OT was one thing, but the greater mercies employed by God in your salvation – demand a much higher form of sacrifice – “All of You” – “A Living Sacrifice”.
[NOTE: Not one mention of church, building, or ritual here – worship is 24/7 by offering yourself to God.]
Sounds good in theory, but this 24/7 thing is going to be tough to do. I don’t think I can.
That is the point: YOU CAN’T.
Rom 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..” NIV
“Not conform” and “transformed” are in Greek tenses – ongoing commands to you done by an outside force. God will do it. Yield yourself to God, and let him do the work needed in you. Through the Power of the Holy Spirit and his grace. So that you will be the Living proof by your changed life to God’s good, pleasing and perfect Will.
======================================================
Things to remember while God is Working in you:
Be humble. In regard to Spiritual Gifts – Do not become prideful, reflect on how and why you received them. They are to be used for the “body of Christ”, not as a stump for you to proclaim yourself “special”. We are to use our gifts to glorify God – not be a “showboat”.
The next list is pretty straightforward, and moves in outward circles from individual to Christian brothers to the world – thoughts on a few:
1)”Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” – It may be easy to do one or the other – the Christian is to do both.
2)”Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” – not the idea of being a “Holy Roller”. The idea is to be internally (spiritual)boiling over in your desire to “serve” the Lord.
Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Don’t be lukewarm. It is better to be “cold” and sit on the sidelines, than to be lukewarm and playacting like being a Christian.
3)”Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – We are to share our resources with other Christians (saints)in “need”. Hospitality to the “world” – love and being generous.
4)”Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position” – While this is good advice on the world, I believe this is in section adressing Christian interaction.
In the last two years, I have seen on occasion a shunning of people in a church that did not look or conform to the standards of the members. We are not a “club” – we are a “body”.
======================================================
5)Do not repay anyone evil for evil. – AHA! I found my contradiction. OT says “eye for an eye” etc. Uh no,
“Those verses are talking about public law that deals with the nation of Israel. A nation is to have a system of justice that retaliates against evil.” – John MacArthur
Verse 17 is saying YOU do not repay evil for evil. Remember back to Cain, how God put a mark on him. I do not think that was so much acceding to Cain’s request for mercy – but God not allowing any indivuidual to exact revenge on Cain. There were no nations at that time to have a government in force to prosecute Cain.
6)”If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – If it be possible indicates that it may not always be possible.” (Murray)
7)”…In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Interesting thought here by Keil and Delitzsch is that we are not to do good to make the person feel bad (shame him). We are to do good because we ought to do good, and the burning coals represent self-accusing repentance.
John
====== Lori:
John, Ramona, and Vance, I looks so forward everyday to reading how you all look at our scriptures for the day. So insightful, and so educational. Thank you. I can tell it’s hard work. Thank you.
Lori
====== John:
Romans 12:1-21
My first two years as a Christian, I used to read verses like Romans 9-21, and the exhortations of James and John, and get really discouraged. I want to live like that, but I can’t.
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Are you kidding me, and that is just the first few verses. I fail repeatedly. What is wrong with me, etc.
It was very discouraging, and it would affect my prayer life, my bible studies, and my Christian walk would not even feel like a crawl, but that I was stuck in some thicket.
Then as I prayed about it the first few verses of Romans 12 hit me like a thunderbolt.
=================================================================================
12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Paul has spent 11 chapters discussing God’s anger and judgment on non-believers, the righteousness of faith of believers, and the history and future status of Israel.
Now, He is instructing us on how we are to live for Christ. And in the first few verses is the key.
Your rightful service once saved with a renewed spirit and endwelled by the Holy Spirit, is to follow up on your commitment to Jesus as YUOR Lord and not just your Savior.
A servant of the king is loyal to the king body and soul (spirit). You have a new spirit, now offer up your body as a living perpetual sacrifice. This is a one-time (Aorist active indicative in the Greek) completed or in the process of being completed offering.
Lord do with it as you will – You are in charge. Let it be for your glory. When you perform this offering, then on a daily basis you can resist the pattern of this world. That is not a list of “DON’TS” it is not living in the mindset of pride, it is not doing what is best for you to advance in this world. It is not about you.
How does this happen? Because you daily (by submission and humility) are being transformed by the renewing of your mind. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. It will not happen overnight, but I can attest through myself and other Christians I know, that you will see progress from year to year. When you fail, you just get up and trust God will continue to work with you and teach your mind. It is like learning to walk – there will be stumbling.
Summary: Now that you are a believer, you are able to make a right spiritual decision to offer to serve the Lord with your Body. Humbly submit to God, and let Him do the work in you that He ordained before time began. Trust in, rely on, and depend on God as it is all for His Glory, and He is big enough to do the job.
VISIT WITH MY PASTOR
Three years ago, when I realized what Paul was saying I rushed to one of my pastors. I asked why this was not being taught, why were we told we must do all these things (not in a legalist way), but that we need to act like Christians. Why were we not taught to give ourselves over to God on a continual basis in a humble, submissive, reverant, and trusting (Characteristics of the heart of David) and let God work in us through the power of the Holy Spirit?
I wish I could say the conversation went well, but It was not all I had hoped for upon entering the office. This concept of relying on God had been confirmed to me over and over before my appointment. But no more so than what happened a month later.
Our head pastor returned from an overseas sabbatical, and gave his first sermon on – you guessed it – Romans 12:1-3. I thought that the associate pastor had said something to my pastor, but he denied it, and said he had been working on that sermon for awhile on his own and had not shared it with him until his return.
Look this will not be easy in the early stages. I know. Satan hates it when Christians figure this out, and wants us to keep trying to go back to “self”.
I have never been more sure about anything in the Bible, than we need to just let God be God. When we come to him, it should be in the spirit, and in the body as servants, and trust in Him to run our lives.
Does this mean we just sit back in a chair and say – go ahead God get on with it. Nope, it means we should have a daily attidude of submission and humility towards the Father, and then get up and walk about our day. Trusting in Him to renew our minds and provide us with opportunities to share.
Think I am wrong? Who is our perfect model? It is Jesus, and it is pretty clear from the Gospels that being humble and submissive to the Father while here on earth was what Jesus was all about. Jesus depended on God for every word, every step, and every action He took on earth. Are we any better as children of God????????? Jesus did it perfectly, we ought to at least be attempting to follow His model of submission to the Father so we can grow in Christain maturity.
John
====== John:
2 Chronicles 24-25:28
II CHRONICLES 24
VERSES 1-3
“1. Jehoiada, who was the high priest, was truly the power behind the throne. He brought a godly influence back into the land and was influencing young Joash in the things he should do. He was a good role model for this child king. And the people of Judah were blessed by the actions of this man. It is as Solomon said in Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”
VERSE 9
1. What collection did Moses impose on the children of Israel in the wilderness? In Exodus chapter 30 we see that a half-shekel was to be given by every male, 20 years old and up, each year. This money was then used for the upkeep of the tabernacle, and now it was to be used in the upkeep of the temple. Now they could give more for this project if they wanted to, but this was the least they could do.
VERSE 15
1. Jehoiada did not die because of some illness, but because he was full of days. He completed the work he was called to do and God was gracious in allowing him to live for 130 years, for he was a positive influence in the life of Joash and because of that the nation was blessed by God.
VERSE 16
1. Now his burial is in sharp contrast to that of Jehoram. When Jehoram died no one cared and they had such a lack of respect for this king, that they did not even bury him in the tombs of the kings, there was no great burning of incense for him. Because of his evil influence, the people were glad he was dead. But Jehoiada, the high priest and not a king, was buried with the kings because the people loved him for bringing spiritual reform to the nation, by putting God back on the throne. It was a sad day when this man died.
VERSES 17-18
1. Isn’t it amazing how quickly Joash changed after the death of Jehoiada. He loved the honor of men and was molded by their influence. In a sense Joash was like a spiritual chameleon, changing his behavior to fit those that were around him. This just tells me that Joash never really had a heart for the Lord, he was just influenced by those around him, and in the end his true colors came out, and as we will see, they are not pretty.”
http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library/Guglielmo-Joe/Studies/TH/14-2CH/TH1064.HTM
II CHRONICLES 25
VERSES 1-2
“1. This verse sheds some light on a works theology. You can do good things, help all kinds of people, and yet if your heart is not right before God, it is meaningless. You can even serve God but if your heart is far from Him, if you don’t have a relationship with Him, then all the work you do is meaningless. Amaziah did good things but his heart was far from the Lord. Yes it was far better for Amaziah to do good rather than evil, the people benefited from that. But he was still lost, his heart was far from the Lord. And that my friends is a sobering thought!
VERSE 9
1. Notice the concern of Amaziah, the money he is going to lose if he lets these men go. Amaziah wants God’s help but he also wants the money. Jesus spoke on this issue of serving two masters in Luke 16:13 when He said “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” God is telling Amaziah not to worry about the money, God is not broke.
VERSE 10
1. Now why in the world were they so angry. Yes they were dismissed from the battle but they should have rejoiced, they still got paid for doing nothing. The reason is this. If you were victorious in battle you would take home with you much spoil from the victory as you plundered the troops and the cities. Thus, they had lost lots of money by being dismissed and they were not happy about it, and they will try to get even with Amaziah as we shall see in a few verses here.
VERSE 14
1. I find this truly amazing. God has just given him the victory over the Edomites with 100,000 less troops, and in this victory Amaziah gathers the gods of the people he has just defeated, and brings them home with him. In doing this, he is now worshipping these gods. And you think “Why in the world would he do something as stupid as that?” It is really quite simple for we see it done all the time today. When your backs are up against the wall, and you have no other place to turn, you turn to the true and living God for help. But after the trouble is over you turn back to the gods of this world, the gods of the flesh. They appeal to you, even though you know they can’t help you, but they can satisfy your flesh. Amaziah does just that, he went to the gods of this world, the gods of the Edomites, for he no longer needed the true and living God. Well, he may have thought that way, but the reality is, he needed God more than ever in his life, and so do we!”
http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library/Guglielmo-Joe/Studies/TH/14-2CH/TH1064.HTM
John
====== Luch:
If there could only be one chapter bible I would vote for Romans 12
Luch
====== Bob:
Romans 12:2a: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Like Ramona, this verse has a story for me too. Four years ago I was researching a technique that uses neurofeedback to train the mind to think in a different way. This has been helpful for people suffering from post traumatic stress to concussions. One day I talked to a pastor that was at the clinic that offered this brain training and he tied this verse into what results from brain optimization. Not to diminish the true meaning of what Paul is getting at here but If you know anyone with abnormal behavior or disorder this technique may be of help. http://www.brainstatetech.com/about-us
Bob
====== Jane:
I believe as Christians on our spiritual journey , our life will always be a battle! Prov. 20:10. There’s so many things in our life that become double standards! Unless we are perfect. It isn’t gonna happen. Not until we meet Jesus and become like Him. We can offer our bodies as living sacrifices but the temptations will not go away! Everyday we are tempted n tried. The closer I get to God the stronger The spiritual battles are within me. Satan is all the more active. How many times did Jesus say Satan get behind me. Or to Peter. In mark 8:33 .
I pray every day for strength. I surround myself with his word, support from friends and family but ultimately we keep,our eyes fixed on Jesus and ask for his mercy.
Jane
====== Robert:
Romans 12
The first word, “Therefore” is really a hinge where Paul refers to everything he has written about in Chapters 1-11 about righteousness, grace, reconciliation and faith.
I did a recap of ROMANS Chapters 1-11
Paul has established Israel’s guilt in the early chapters of this Epistle. In chapters 1 and 2, he indicts mankind in general and the Jews in particular. Through creation, God revealed His divine nature to mankind. Men should have received this revelation and responded by worshipping Him. Instead, man exchanged the truth of God for a lie and chose to worship the creature rather than the Creator. Because of this, mankind is guilty before God and deserving of divine wrath. This is the essence of Romans 1:18-32.
In chapter 2, Paul indicts the Jews in particular for taking great pride in their possession of the law but failing to practice it. In chapters 3 and 4, he demonstrates that law-keeping cannot save anyone. The law reveals that all men are sinners, under divine condemnation. The law shows man’s need of righteousness, but it cannot provide that righteousness. Salvation must come, apart from men, apart from law-keeping. Salvation has been provided by God, through Christ.
In chapters 5-8 Paul presses on to explain God’s provision for righteousness in Jesus Christ and its implications. As Paul comes to the end of Romans 8, he encourages his readers by assuring them that their lives are secure in the hands of a God who is sovereign. God causes all things to work together to accomplish His purpose for those who love Him, and for those who are called in accordance with His purpose (8:28). In eternity past, He chose (foreknew) those whom He would save. He also mapped out (predestined) His plans for our lives in Christ. In time, God calls those whom He has chosen to Himself, justifying them through the blood of Jesus Christ. When Christ returns to establish God’s kingdom on earth, we shall be glorified.
As an example of God’s sovereign control of history, Paul turns in chapters 9-11 to God’s purpose for both the Jews and the Gentiles.
Now the ethical instructions begin. More reading is a link to “What is a Christian” by/to Diognetus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistle_to_Diognetus
Robert
====== Dee:
2nd chronicle..it’s amazing that environment plays a big part of rulers. While young king was being groomed he did what was right. Soon as mentor died..he started doing wrong. Hmmm
Roman’s is an awesome book
Psalm 22:22 wow
Proverb I pray I won’t have a double standard. I also renew my mind daily. Amen
Dee
====== Dee:
Joash..so young and easily guided in the way in which to rule amd then when his godly counsel was gone, he abandoned ship. How sad. How very sad. And to kill Johoida’s child or grandchild. Sad.
I love this chapter! It steadily reminds me of the gifting God places on our life. The ability to teach..do it with greatness an as if you lead..lead with integrity..many bodies and parts are there in the body of Christ and we have to know which part and be led by the Lord as to how to use that ability given to us. Amen
In the end, God is God and all powerful in the earth. What a sacrifice our Lord gave that we may be saved. This is Amazing Grace!
Proverbs 20:8-10 double standards part. Why is it when we hear that..we think of others who have done wrong instead of ourselves?? Hmmm. It is that way as humans. We always want to point a finger when really in the end, we are just as guilty. Things to ponder on and self convicting…
Dee
Leave a Reply