Week 24 June 11-17

Sorry I got a bit behind as my family was here visiting. We had an amazing time together! So much fun!!!

Day 1

Soloman reigned in Israel 40 yrs. Rehoboam, his son, reigned after him. 

Genealogy of Solomon. 

Prayer of Jabez - Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, that Your hand might be with me and keep me from harm and pain.

Genealogy of David.

Day 2

Sons of Levi and lists of other sons.

Aaron was set apart for most holy things.

Day 3

Heads of the house of Reuben. He was the first born but birthright taken away because he defiled fathers couch. Birthright given to Joseph. 

Day 4

Rehoboam asked what should I do with the people. He was advised to listen to them. But his young friends told him to be hard on the people. He listened to them and put a heavy yoke on the people. God had a plan to take away the kingship from the house of Solomon. 

Jeroboam is king as well. The only ones that followed house of David was the tribe of Judah. 

Jeroboam was afraid the people wouldn't follow him so he made two gold calves for them to worship. He also appointed priests that weren't in the house of the Levites. 

People of Judah took Azariah to be king, he was 16 yrs. old. 

Rehoboam was going to fight against his relitives but man of God told him not to and he listened.

Day 5

Man of God was by altar with Jeroboam. Man of God told him that the altar would be torn down and ashes poured out. Jeroboam stretched out hand against him and it was dried up. His hand was restored when he asked man of God to pray for it. Man of God had strict instructions from The Lord but was tricked by another prophet. He ends up paying with his life. 

Once Rehoboam  was established and was strong he abandoned the law of The Lord.  We need to be careful of this as well.  When things are good we shouldn't abandon our Heavenly Father. We have to be on our knees crying out when we are struggling but once things are good we need to keep on our knees.

Judah did evil in the sight of The Lord.  They set up high places and there was sexual immorality. The King of Egypt came and took all that they had off the treasures in the house of The Lord.

Day 6 & 7

War between Jeroboam (bad) and Abijah (good). Abijah said we haven't forsaken The Lord and He is with us. He prevailed and grew mighty but then took 14 wife's and had many children.  

The names were hard for me to follow because according to Kings the name was spelled one way and then in Chronocles it was another way. Also figuring out the bad guys from the good guys was hard to. 

But there were some more highlights I would like to jot down.

King Asa loved The Lord. He was told, "The Lord is with you while you are with Him. Don't forsake Him. V7 But you, take courage! Don't let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.

Asa also removed his mother from her position because she worshiped an abominable image. He stood up for God even against his family,  it makes me want to shout, "hooray"!!! 

Happy reading - Jeannie 

Week 23 June 4- 10

Day 1
Whoever is led astray by strong drink is not wise.  The righteous who walks in his integrity - blessed are his children after him! Wait on the Lord and He will deliver you.   A man's steps are from the Lord. 
Train up a child in the way that he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.  Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you and they are ready on your lips. 
Do not let your heart envy sinners. 

Day 2
Don't be envious of evil men or desire to be with them. If your enemy is hungry and thirsty - feed him and give him drink.  Lord will reward you.  A man without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls.  A lying tongue hates its victim and a flattering mouth works ruin.  Don't boast about tomorrow, because you don't know what a today may bring. 

Day 3
Better to be poor and walk in integrity than rich and crooked in your ways.  Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always.  A faithful man will abound with blessings. 
Discipline your son and he will give you rest, he will give delight to your heart.  He who trusts in the Lord is safe. 
Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.  Ask of the Lord for neither poverty nor riches, give me what is needed lest I be full and deny You, or poor and steal. 

Day 4
Solomon loved many foreign women and it led to his fall.  Lord told them not to marry foreigners because they would turn them away after their own gods. Solomon clung to the women in love. He had 700 wives and princesses and 300 concubines.  His heart was no longer wholly devoted to the Lord like his father David.  Lord raised up men against him. 

Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes and it was full of his explanations on how everything is vanity.  The only way to true fulfillment and happiness is with the Lord. Solomon tried it all. 
He studied pleasures, drinking, built great things and had servants.  He said whatever my eyes desired I didn't keep from myself.  So many times we think it we just had ________ (fill in the blank)  I would be happy.  It may make you happy for a brief moment but it will pass.  True happiness is from the Lord and having your life entrusted to Him.  He will give you joy in whatever circumstance you are in. 
Proverbs was written with wisdom and Ecclesiastes shows us foolishness. 

Day 5
All will die - the wise and the fool alike, the rich and the poor.  We will take nothing with us when we do. 
Better to have a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and striving after wind.  
Two are better than one - they have a good return for their work.  For if they fall, one  will lift the other up.  A threefold cord is not quickly broken.  I alway like to remember this scripture for marriages.  When our marriages have Jesus in them as one of those cords we are not easily broken.  When you realize you need to treat your spouse like a Jesus's beloved you see them as the special gift that they are. He needs to guide you in all your marriage decisions, not ourselves   We will just mess it up!
If you love money it will not satisfy   Doesn't matter what we have if our soul isn't the Lords, we won't be satisfied. 

Day 6
Patient in spirit is better than proud of spirit. If in prosperity than be joyful - in adversity than consider God has made one as well as the other.
Don't take to heart all the things people say. 
It will be well for those who fear God, but not for the wicked. 
Solomon examined all the deeds.  Man doesn't know how long he will live, live life to the fullest - full of Jesus!

Day 7
A little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.  Wise man's heart inclines him to the right but a fool's heart to the left. A fool multiplies words. 
The Lord is in control of all things. Remember your Creator.
Ecclesiastes is closed out with these words - Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  

Happy Reading - Jeannie 

Week 22 May 28- June 3

Day 1

Ps. 88 

Lord I cry out day and night before You. A psalm about sorrow. Why do You hide from me Lord? I'm helpless.  Remain close to The Lord because the helpless feeling and crying can then be avoided.

Ps 89

I will sing of the steadfast love of The Lord forever. None can be compared to The Lord. Blessed are those who walk in the light of Your face.

Proverbs

There are so many proverbs that we can meditate on. I picked out a few from each that I will share over the next days readings.

Prov. 1

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, fools despise wisdom and instruction. Hear your father's instruction and your mother's teaching. Don't consent if sinners entice you. Don't walk in the way with them, hold back your foot from their paths.

Prov. 2

Hear my words son, treasure my commandments, keep your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding and you will find knowledge.

Prov. 3

Don't forget my teaching and you will add years to your life and peace will be added to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you, bind them on the tablet of your heart. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Sound wisdom  and discretion equals life for your soul.

Prov. 4

Let your heart hold fast to my words. Avoid evil and turn away, pass on it and it will equal deep darkness. Put away from yourself crooked speech and put devious talk far from you.

Prov. 5

Be wise and use discretion, lips of the forbidden woman dripped honey with smooth speech. In the end  she is bitter, keep from her. Let your wife fulfill  you and be intoxicated always in her love.

Prov. 6

Be wise, a worthless person goes about with crooked speech. The perverted heart devises evil. Things the Lord hates, haughty eyes, lying hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, running to evil, false witness, one who sows discord among brothers. Don't desire an adulterous relationship, you will be punished.

Prov. 7

Keep the good teaching as though it were the apple of your eye. The prostitute is loud and wayward, feet don't stay at home.

Prov. 8

Fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride, arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Those who seek Me diligently find Me. Blessed are those who keep the ways of the Lord. Hear instruction and be wise and don't neglect it. All you hate Me love death.

Prov. 9

If you give advice to a wise man he will listen. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Prov. 10

A wise son makes a glad father. A foolish son gives sorrow to his mother. God will not let his children go hungry. Walk in integrity, it equals security. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Heed instruction. When words are many, transgression is not lacking. The way of the Lord is a strong hold to the blameless.

Prov. 11

Pride is followed by disgrace but with the humble is wisdom. Evil people won't go unpunished.

Prov. 12

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. Way of the fool is right in his own eyes but a wise man listens to advice. Truthful lips endure forever. Lying lips are an abomination. Those who act faithfully are His delight.

Prov. 13

A wise son listens to father's instruction. If you love your son you will discipline him.

Prov. 14

Be prudent, wise and cautious. Turn away from evil. A man of quick-tempered acts foolishly. Slow to anger equals great understanding. Wisdom rests in the heart of the man of understanding.

Prov. 15

A soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. The Lord sees everything. A glad heart makes a cheerful face. The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom.  Humility comes before honor. 

Prov. 16

Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.  The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establish his steps.  The wise of heart is called discerning. 
Prov. 17
An evildoer listens to wicked lips and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.  A friend loves at all times. A joyful heart is good  medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 
Prov. 18
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding.  But only in expressing his opinion.  The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and its safe.
Prov. 19
Better to be poor and walk in integrity.  A false witness will not go unpunished and he who breathes out lies will not escape. Good sense makes one slow to anger.  A prudent wife is from the Lord. 

Definition of prudent (adj)

pru·dent

 [ prd'nt ]   

1. having good sense: having good sense in dealing with practical matters
2. carefully considering consequences: using good judgment to consider likely consequences and act accordingly
3. careful in managing resources: careful in managing resources so as to provide for the future

Happy Reading - Jeannie 

Week 21. May 21-27

Day 1

480 years after Israel came out of Egypt the temple begins to be built.

God spoke to Solomon concerning His house. God told him walk in my statutes and obey my rules and commandments. God said I will establish My word with you and will dwell and walk among Israel and won't forsake them.

The temple was a magnificent building. Cedar wood and overlays in gold.

Day 2
Whatever we do, the Lord needs to be in it.  If He is not, then it is in vain.  Children are a gift from God. 
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord and walks in His ways. 
Lord's house finished in 7 years.  Solomon took 11 years to build his house. 
Altar was made out of bronze.  Bronze symbolizes judgment. The wash basins were also out of bronze.  There was sin so that is why they needed to have the altar - to sacrifice.  Had to be a payment for the sin and judgement. Now we have Jesus -  He was our payment!

Day 3
Solomon assembled the people to bring up the Ark of Covenant.  They sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they couldn't be counted. Once the Ark was in the house, it filled with  a cloud. 
Give glory to the Lord, for the sake of Your steadfast love and faithfulness.  Lord is our help and shield.  He will bless us. Steadfast means -  Unwavering, firm, not subject to change, loyal and fixed. I'm so glad I serve a God who has that kind of love for me (and for you too!)

Day 4
God fulfilled the building of His house like He said that He would. Temple is dedicated. Solomon knew that this house couldn't contain the Lord but it would be a place for the people to go and pray towards. 
Lord be with us and not forsake us, incline our hearts to You and walk in Your ways.  Lord is God and there is no other.  Let your heart be wholly true to the Lord our God. 

Day 5
Once the prayer was done to dedicate temple fire came down from heaven and consumed the offerings.  The glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.  People bowed with faces to the ground and worshipped. 
The Lord reigns and is great, praise His awesome name.  Holy is He.  Make a joyful noise to the Lord.  Serve Him with gladness.  It is He who made us and we are the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. 
Lord warned them if they turn away and serve other gods that He will cut them off. People will see and ask. "why has the Lord done this to the people?" and it will be because they abandoned the Lord. 
If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.  If they turn away from God then He will pluck them up from the land He gave them. 

Day 6 & 7
Beloved = Him
Love = Her
Solomon is a love song/story
We can see the love between a woman and a man.  They marry and have a beautiful relationship.  We are Christs bride (the Church), He found us and loves us.  We need to cling to Him with all our love.  The groom considered his bride the most beautiful among women.  God thinks of each one of us in that way (male or female).  We are beautiful, precious in His sight.  
I read a great commentary on Song of Solomon from James Vernon Mcgee and it gave me great insight to this book.  Check it out if you want to dig deeper!

Happy Reading - Jeannie 

Week 20 May 14-20

Day 1

Psalms 47 Clap your hands and shout with joy, sing praises to the Lord.

King David puts his son Solomon on his mule. He also has his priest anointed Solomon king. Adonijah feared Solomon and asked that he wouldn't be killed. Solomon said, "If worthiness is in you then you will be fine but if wickedness is in you then you will die.
David had prepared for the building of the temple. .  It must be exceedingly magnificent. David told Solomon it would be built by him.  The Lord will be with him and set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. 

Day 2
Organized all the musicians, gatekeepers, treasurers and officials. 

Day 3
Ps. 145 Exalt God and bless His name forever.  Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.  Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
David gives Solomon the plan for the building of the temple.  Tells Solomon not to worry because God will finish what He starts.  
Just like He does with us.  We are a work in progress and He didn't save us to just leave us behind. 
Ps 104  Bless the Lord Oh my soul.  All things are under His control. 
May my meditation be pleasing to Him.  I rejoice in the Lord. 
Ps 124 The Lord is on our side.  He is our help. 

Day 4
Ps. Behold how good and pleasant  for brothers to dwell in unity. 
Ps. 86 Hear me Lord, I trust in You.  Be gracious to me.  I will give thanks to you with my whole heart. 
Solomon was young and inexperienced but David said that he had made preparations.  People had given willingly with their whole hearts.  
Do you see how when God wants something to happen he will make it happen.  Don't look at how hard it might be or how much it might cost.  If God's hand is in it, then He will provide for it. 
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.  

Day 5
David is dying  Told son to be strong and show yourself a man.  Keep walking in the ways of God. If you do then there will be no lack of a man on the throne. 
Don't fret over evil doers or be envious of them.  Trust in the Lord and do good.  Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will act. Be still and wait patiently for Him. Refrain from anger.  Turn away from evil and do good and so shall you dwell forever.   Give thanks to the Lord and when I call He listens and He will fulfill His purpose for me. 

Day 6
David reigned for 40 years.  Now Solomon is on the throne. 
Adonijah (son of David and Haggith) came to Bathsheba and asked if he could have Abishag (the women who was Davids nursemaid in his last days) for his wife.  He said he had come in peace but really he was using trickery to try to take over the throne.  Solomon saw this as trickery and had him killed. 
Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh King of Egypt. 
Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked what He could give him.  Solomon knew he was young and inexperienced so he asked for wisdom and discernment.  The Lord was pleased with this request and granted it to Solomon.  
So many times if I would pray for just that... Wisdom and Discernment things would be better than just praying for the situation to be "fixed".  I learned a lesson from Solomon in this scripture.  

Day 7
List of King Solomons officials.  Solomon was very wealthy, not lacking in anything. Hiram King of Tyre worked with Solomon, he was very fond of King David and wanted to help out.  They worked together.  Hiram provided wood and Solomon provided food. 

Proverbs 31
An excellent wife is more precious than jewels.  She does good for her husband and not harm. Keeps her home and is wise.  She isn't idle.  Her children call her blessed and her husband praises her.  Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  
We may never be just like this women in Proverbs 31.  Sometimes we will have good days or weeks but other times we will struggle.  But one thing we can do is, Fear The Lord.  If we follow Him we will be blessed and be a blessing to others. 

Happy Reading - Jeannie 

Week 19 May 7-13

Day 1

Ps. 28. Call to the Lord, my Rock. Don't treat me like the wicked with evil in their hearts. They don't regard the Lord. V.7 The Lord is my strength and my shield, in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped, my heart  exults and with my song I give thanks to Him.

Ps. 143 Meditate on all the Lord has done. Teach me to do Your will for You are my God and I am Your servant.

Ps. 70 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in You! May those who love Your salvation say evermore, God is great!

Ps. 40 I delight to do Your will, O my God, Your law is within my heart.

Day 2

Ps 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation who should I fear?. One thing I ask of the Lord and seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life and see it's beauty.

Ps. 121  My help comes from the Lord, the Lord will keep me from all evil.

Day 3

David was sending his men out to war. He was going to go with them but they told him no because Absalom was seeking his life. Absalom got caught in a tree and David's men found him. Joab told them to kill Absalom but they didn't so Joab strikes him and 10 of Joabs armor bearers surrounded him and killed him. The trumpet is blown and the war is over.  David hears of Absaloms death and is very grieved. The men came back with a victory but because David was mourning they felt grief and ashamed. Joab told David to get up and encourage his men or they will not stand with him no more.

David put Amasa in charge of army instead of Joab.

Day 4

Ps. 92. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, praise His name. How great are His works.

The war did not have to happen if David had forgiven Absalom and treated him like a prodigal son in a few chapters back. 

Sheba rebelled against David and brought all of Israel with him. David returns to Jerusalem and took his 10 concubines and put them in a house under guard  and provided for them to the day that they died. But he didn't have any relations with them and they lived like widows after Absalom had defiled them on the rooftop.  David called Amasa, his new leader, and told him to go out after Sheba. But Amasa delayed in leaving, Joab went out and met Amasa and killed him. Joab went on to find  Sheba  and  had him killed. 

There was three years of famine because of the blood guilt of Saul killing the Gibeonites. David went to them and asked what he could do for them. They said no amount of silver or gold will do it but the sons of the man that planned to destroy us. So David gave them  7 sons of Saul. But Mephibosheth (Johnathan's son) he spared. God responded and gave them an end to the famine.

Day 5

Ascribe to the Lord, give Him worship and glory. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless His people with peace.

There is war with the Philistines again. David grows weary and his men tell him to not go back out to war with them. 

Ps. 36 God is faithful with His steadfast love. We can take refuge in the shadow of His wings.

Day 6

David does a census of the people. Joab told him not to do this thing.  David realizes he has sinned. He repents to God and is told you can choose 1 of 3 things. He chooses 3 days of pestilence. 70,000 men died. David sinned but others gave their life in payment for it. When we sin it affects others as well. David pleaded with the Lord and told him that it was his sin, "Lord let your hand be against me and my house." 

David bought land from Araunah to raise up an altar. Araunah didn't want him to pay for it. But David refused, he said I will not offer any offerings to The Lord that didn't cost me nothing. Our offerings should cost us something, if not it wouldn't be considered a sacrifice.

Ps. 30. Sing praises and give thanks to the Lord. His anger is for a moment but his favor is for a lifetime.

Day 7

Ps. 33 Shout for joy in the Lord and give thanks. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and our shield.  David is old and is getting closer to death.  Adonijah, Absolams younger brother exalts himself and said he will be king.  Nathan, the prophet, goes to Bathsheba and tells him this news. They both spoke with David and told him. David called his men to him and tells them that Solomon shall be king.

I have enjoyed reading about David in these last books of the Bible. We can be encouraged by David's life and the things that he went through. He was called a man after gods own heart. That is the kind of person that I want to be, a woman after gods own heart.

Happy Reading, Jeannie 

Week 18 April 30 - May 6

Day 1
Ps. 51
David asks the Lord to be gracious to him. Forgive me and blot out my sin O Lord. Cleanse me from it. V.10 Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Don't cast me out. David knew his spirit and heart needed to break before the Lord. We repent our sins, we need to be broken, a quick sorry is not enough sometimes.
Ps. 32
David had kept his sin on the inside and it was eating him up. We cannot live with the guilt of sin. Confess it to the Lord. God is my hiding place, He preserves me from trouble. Surround me with songs of deliverance. God will instruct us in the way that we should go. V. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness will surround him. Be glad and rejoice, shout for joy!
Ps. 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is in within me, bless His holy name. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Day 2
David's baby was very sick David fasted and prayed. On the seventh day the baby died. After the death of the baby David washed himself and worshiped God and ate. Solomon is then born. Solomon means "beloved of The Lord".
David rejoices in God's strength. David was given his hearts desire and is blessed.
2 Samuel 13:1-39
David had a daughter from a foreign women. Her name was Tamar. She was very beautiful. David's son Amnon loved her and wanted to be with her. He tricked his father to make her come take care of him and then raped her. She pleaded for him not to and even told him to ask if she could be his wife and the King would allow it. He didn't care and did it anyway. Once he was done he had a hatred for her and sent her away. David found out and was angry but didn't deal with it. Absalom had Amnon killed. He then ran away for many years.
Day 3
Joab finds a way to make David allow Absalom to come back home. Absalom returns but can't be in the presence of the King. Absalom would sit at the gate and talk with the people and settle disputes and was gaining their trust. Had David dealt with things this snowball effect wouldn't be taking place. How many times do we allow things to happen because we don't want to upset someone but in reality it just makes the situation way worse than it needed to be.
Ps. 62
My soul waits in silence for God alone, from Him comes my salvation. He is my rock, salvation, fortress, my glory, mighty rock, and refuge. V8 trust in Him at all times, pour out your heart before Him.
Day 4
David hears that his son has won over the people. David packs up stuff and leaves. The men brought the Ark with them and David tells them to bring it back to Jerusalem. If The Lord finds favor in him (David) then He will allow me to see it again.
David asks The Lord to hear his cry, his heart is faint. Watch over me and protect me. It is one thing to have those who seek to harm you but when those enemies are your own son, I can't imagine how that must feel.
Day 5
The fool says there is no God. They are corrupt.
David sends his friend Hushai to be with Absalom  This may have been because the friend was older and David needed to keep on the move and in hiding. Also the friend would be a spy for him and a help.
As David travels a man of the house of Saul comes out cursing him continually. Davids men want to kill cursing man.  But David tells them no. David's says, "May The Lord look upon him and his cursing and bless me because of it." It is not easy to turn away from your accusers and those who want to pick on you and curse you. But there are times where we need to and we will be blessed.
Day 6
David's old friend that turned on him is now giving advice to Absalom. He is planning an attack on how to kill David. Absalom asked Hushai if the advice is good and he tells him no. David is a valiant warrior and it won't be easy to sneak up on him. Absalom listens to this council. Hushai sends message to David. Meanwhile Absalom has gone to city of Jerusalem and pitched a tent on the Kings roof and slept with his David's concubines.
David asks The Lord to answer him and to give him relief in his distress. The evil ones continue to speak lies. God will set apart the Godly to Himself. Be angry but do not sin. Put your trust in The Lord. For The Lord alone will make you dwell in safety.
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after The Lord. Hope in The Lord.
Day 7
David asks for The Lord to defend him against the ungodly. David takes refuge in The Lord but feels like The Lord has rejected him. When we sin we move away from The Lord. God is holy and therefore there is No sin in Him, nor can He be around it. Thank you Lord Jesus our Savior for dying for us so that we can have fellowship with God.
David continues to cry out to Lord. He is being pursued by family and friends. The one thing that enemies will  cause you to do is be in prayer a lot! Turn your enemies over to God.
Shout for joy and sing praises to The Lord!

Happy Reading -Jeannie