Friday 8 August 2014

TFTD - 08 August 2014 - Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings

08 August 2014

1 Kings 2
Jeremiah 29
Mark 3

“THAT YOU MAY PROSPER … WHEREVER YOU TURN”

Today we read of David's final words of advice to his successor - Solomon. Two weeks ago we read of Solomon in his youth “and the LORD loved him" from his birth [2 Samuel 12:24]. Today we particularly noted David’s parting words to him, "Be strong, and show yourself a man. and keep the charge of the LORD, your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes his commandments ... that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn" [1 Kings 2:2-3]

David’s words are ideal for all human beings to take to heart.  It does not mean strong in a physical sense, but strong in attitudes of mind and belief and service to God. Let us keep in mind what we read recently in Romans about Abraham. "No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised" [Romans 4:20-21].

David had originally set many examples of living and acting with a strong faith; this is an attitude of mind that constantly has the vision to see God is in overall control.

Solomon would not have experienced his father at his spiritual best. The phrase “and the LORD loved him”  surely reflects the relationship he developed with God, a foundation for all the proverbs he was to write.   In recognising this let us give the highest priority to developing our own relationship with God, our relationship cannot be second-hand, we must pray for his oversight of our lives remembering that "whatever is not of faith is sin" [Romans 14:23].

We will read tomorrow [Mark 4] of the seed that is scattered, it either produces more seed that germinates to produce a valuable plant -  or it doesn't, there is no third option. Thus those who develop a genuine faith in God and his oversight in their lives will win through whenever life for a time become difficult, and it  maybe become very difficult in coming years, even months.

While there is opportunity we must be strong and live in the right spirit.  Jesus was still looking for workers in his vineyard at "the eleventh hour" [Matthew 20:6] WE are now living in the eleventh hour so let us live so that we may prosper wherever we turn in our life and our relationship with our Lord!
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- DC
Mark 3:5
"And when he (Jesus) had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other."

It is recorded many times how Jesus "stretched forth" his hand to heal and to make whole. Here, this man with the withered hand was symbolic of the leaders of Israel, who would not stretch forth their hands to help others with their burdens.

We read of the contrary Matt 23:4, Lu 11:46:
"For they (scribes & Pharisees) bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."

We are to be as Christ, as Paul exhorts Gal 6:2
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

Thought for the Day

08 August 2014

"True believers are deeply impressed by the wonders of Bible design. Their faith is renewed and fortified by the discovery of more and more evidence that the wisdom of God is wrought into the very fabric of Scripture. Just as the natural man needs a constant supply of food to keep him alive, so too the spiritual man lives by his daily bread. The Scriptures have been miraculously arranged to give an unfailing supply of spiritual strength to those who seek for it; and one of the features of Scripture that makes a great contribution to one’s spiritual sustenance is what we so often refer to as design."

- Peter Watkins
The Inspired Scriptures - Our Sure Foundation (1962)

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