​Day 162 – June 11, 2021
Scriptures: 1 Kings 7, 1 Corinthians 8
 
Concern for others, over self.
 
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, he does battle with the self-focused customs of their past and present. The me-first mentality is something that runs rampant through 1 Corinthians. He tackles the topic sexual desires and immorality, and now he addresses food.  “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.”  (1 Cor 8:13)
 
That radical sense of others-over-self is what makes Paul such an inspirational witness of Christ. Willing to forego his personal rights for the sake of others is what makes Paul so much like Jesus.
 
In our Kings reading, we get the details around the palace for Solomon. There is nothing inherently wrong with it. But the opening really does set the stage well for what is to come. Solomon builds a very nice palace, and the time spent on it is greater than the time spent on the temple. Whose house is more important Solomon?
 
Paul will deny himself, for the sake of others relationship with God.
 
We ought to be considerate and thoughtful as Paul is for the sake of others and their relationship with God.
 
Solomon’s delay on the temple while he works on the palace is an indictment on himself. Because of the delay, people were worshiping on the high places “Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter. He brought her to the City of David until he finished building his palace and the temple of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem. The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the Lord. Solomon showed his love for the Lordby walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.” (1 Kings 3:1–3)
 
Because Solomon was looking to himself first, the whole spiritual life of the nation suffered. 
Because the temple wasn’t built, the people continued to worship on the high places. Their devotion to God would have many competitors.
 
The great wisdom of Paul builds community, and the spiritual life of the community is strengthened. Solomon seeks his own benefit. Paul, the benefit of others.
 
Which way will we choose?
 
Jordan

​Day 161 – June 10, 2021
Scriptures: 1 King 6, 1 Corinthians 7
 
All in for God.
 
There are many considerations of the human heart. What pleasures are there that you seek? You can have, quite literally, whatever your heart’s desire. A new car or house? It’s yours! If you want to separate yourself from your spouse, it’s yours! If you want to explore your sexuality, you are free to do so, if not completely encouraged to do so.
 
Paul’s counsel comes to us old fashioned and quite dated. Why on earth would you limit your sexuality by confining it to marriage, or not even remarrying?
 
For Paul he says, “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.” (1 Cor 7:35)
 
For Paul, there is an alternative devotion that is worthy of a greater commitment, to the Lord, above all else. Paul fully recognizes that this is an impossibility and actually layers the conversation with a lot of grace. But he is making an important point. When we are married, our loyalties are divided to spouse and God. Better to remain single, for singular devotion to God and His Kingdom.
 
We tend to ignore this instruction from Paul. We seem to think there is no limit to what we can include in our life. Our loyalties are parsed out to whatever it is that makes us the most happy, in the moment. Paul’s guidance is a helpful reminder as we look at the life of Solomon. Solomon builds a temple for the Lord. It is quite extravagant. We get an indictment on Solomon though, at the start of the next chapter. It takes a little over 7 years for the temple to be built, and Solomon spends 13 years on his palace.
 
It’s a sign of things to come. Where Solomon’s devotions to God will be spread, paper thin by way of many wives, much wealth.
 
Paul’s heart is for us to not have our loyalties spread paper thin, pursuing our greatest desires.
 
It is to find that the greatest desire of our heart is God, and we will find completion and true joy in him.
 
Let’s be all in for God.
 
Jordan

​Day 160 – June 9, 2021
Scriptures: 1 Kings 4-5, 1 Corinthians 6
 
Solomon is accruing great wealth, all the stones and cedars he will need to build the temple of the Lord. Solomon’s fame and stature in the world is become well known. 
 
In our Corinthian reading, Paul points the church to a different temple. This is one is not built by stones and cedar, but by lives that are joined together under Christ. 
 
This is in development to the communal idea of being one in Christ as the body of Christ. Paul takes this metaphor on to speak specifically about sin. Paul says of the church, “You were brought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
 
The temple would be considered God’s dwelling place. Paul changes that dramatically, as he taught “Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit….Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God.”
 
I’ll take this moment to mention that this verse often is used in regard to personal holiness, because we presume the “you” is calling our individual bodies a temple. The “You” in this instance is not singular but plural. English messes us up. So, we need to go with something more like, “Do y’all not know that y’all’s bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in y’all, whom y’all have received from God. Y’all are not y’all’s own.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
 
This is a sidebar, one of my favorite websites is https://yallversion.com – for just such occasions, it helps you have a better sense of what “you” is singular and which is plural. 
 
To the point now, we are all built together as the temple, under Jesus Christ. It’s not the hyper-individualized spirituality we’ve culturally grown accustomed to. We are together, under the reign of Christ. My conduct effects the whole body. Yours does too. We are intertwined in the love, life and body of Christ. That’s Paul’s concern. Unnoticed and unrepentant sin will destroy and harm the body of believers, the temple of God.
 
Search our hearts God, and lead us in the way everlasting
 
Jordan

​Day 159 –  June 8, 2021
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 2-3, 1 Corinthians 5
 
 
At this point in our scripture reading, having read through Samuel, are we glad that Israel decided to be like other nations and have a king? With all of the jockeying for power the corruption is rampant and there is so much heartache and death. All for the sake of having a king. Good grief – make the Lord Jesus your king!
 
Solomon will unify the kingdom, and he seeks an anointing from God, with humility he recognizes that he doesn’t have the wisdom necessary to wield the position well. God loves his heart here and gives Solomon more than he asks for and blesses him wisdom, wealth and honor. 
 
It immediately gets put to use in the tale of the two prostitutes. It’s the story of a mother’s love, and Solomon displaying great wisdom. May we seek such wisdom from God, to discern what is right and good. Solomon sought justice. We should to.
 
Paul is dealing with justice in the Corinthian community. He sees a great deal of corruption in the case of immorality, greed and idolatry. A terrible problem of sexual immorality has presented itself, and Paul is wondering what they are waiting for, why not expel the immoral man now?
 
The folks seem concerned that they are judging, and Paul says, “Go ahead! Judge the family of believers, they should be held to a high standard.”
 
We shouldn’t judge the family of believers haphazardly. We should though seeking wisdom from the Spirit, care for the family of believers and root out idolatry, immorality and greed. There’s no room for blatant sin among the believers in the family of God. 
 
We should seek discernment and wisdom, like Solomon, to care for the church family well. 
 
We are wise to leaving the judging of the world to God, and the judging of the family to those who have sought spiritual wisdom and discernment from God.  
 
Let’s seek the Lord and wisdom from above.
 
Jordan

​Day 158 – June 7, 2021
Scriptures: 1 Kings 1, 1 Corinthians 4
 
 
We pick up today’s reading in the book of 1 Kings. Things are about to get more hectic and more difficult in our reading. Today’s reading shares the waning days of David’s life and the handing of the throne to Solomon. The stage is being set for the division of the nation, and some pretty difficult political days are ahead.
 
As we continue in our 1 Corinthians reading, chapter 4 speaks of the depth of the faith of Paul and others. “We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.” (1 Corinthians 4:12–13)
 
Paul does not assume a position of pride. But he takes his position in life to bless and encourage others.
 
1 Kings will show humanity at some of its very worst.
 
In Paul, through what Christ is doing through him, showing humanity at its very best. To bless, endure and answer kindly, despite some incredibly difficult circumstances.
 
I pray I can be like Paul, who was like Christ, and love and bless and care for others.
 
Jordan 

Day 157 – June 6, 2021
Scriptures: 2 Samuel 23-24, 1 Corinthians 3
 
Paul says, “If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.” (1 Corinthians 3:14)
 
David reflects on his life, “If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.” (2 Samuel 23:5)
 
A pretty loose connection here, but it serves a point. David reflects on his life and sees that what he has done, while not perfect, has been right before the Lord. 
 
Paul is advocating for the church in Corinth to see it’s true identity as the temple of God. That what they build must be built in the Lord on the foundation of God’s grace.
 
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:10–11)
 
Whatever the work that is set before us as believers, we are building our lives together on the foundation of Christ. May whatever falls short of glorifying God, be burned up, and what lifts up Jesus be magnified. 
 
Jordan

 
Day 156 – June 5, 2021
Scriptures: 2 Samuel 22, Psalm 144, 1 Corinthians 2
 
“Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 144:15)
 
““The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!” (2 Samuel 22:47)
 
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:2–5)
 
David is doing what he does best, writing powerful praise to the glory of God, his salvation.
 
Paul directs the Corinthian church to recall his preaching. He preached Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected. He preached a message that people wouldn’t get mistaken on who did the work, and who changed the world. It was Jesus Christ, only. Paul is one who is being used by God, but it is God who has done the great work.
 
This is the message of David’s psalms; he deflects glory to God. David doesn’t take any credit. He knows the humble will be lifted up, and the proud will be humbled. It’s all about God.
 
That’s the point of the praise Psalms, and it’s the point of Paul’s message to the church here as well. It’s not about our wisdom, but rather, the wisdom of God, to accomplish its purposes.
 
Our role has not changed, humble ourselves before the Lord and he will lift us up. Glorify the Lord today!
 
Jordan

​Day 155 – June 4, 2021
Scriptures: 2 Samuel 20-21, 1 Corinthians 1
 
1 Corinthians Bible Project Overview Video 
The Apostle Paul would have been very familiar with the life of David and the book of Samuel. He would have been taught, many times over, about the life of King David. So, in hearing of the conflict happening and the division that is brewing in the Corinthian church, Paul pleads with the church:
 
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
 
David’s throne is divided. War and strife, conspiracy and backstabbing and sacrifices are all being made to appease and fix the terrible situation. The kingdom will eventually sever. The result of that separation will be an incredible amount of death and hardship.
 
As Paul sees the division occurring in the church, he might very well notice the same thing that plagued the people of Israel in the divisiveness among the people and who they were following. Instead of David and Absalom. They are dealing with Paul or Apollos. Knowing the severity of division and discord, he pleads with them to unite under the Lordship of Christ. Unite especially under the cross of Christ. They are all to follow Jesus only. The rest of the letter will be a deflection of himself and an elevation and call to the trust in Jesus Christ.
 
Trust in the Lord today!
Be united under Jesus!
 
Jordan

​Day 154 – June 3, 2021
Scriptures: 2 Samuel 19, 3 John 1, Psalm 34
 
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (3 John 11) 
 
After Absalom’s death, David mourns. This weeping causes a division and problem for hose who took part in the killing of Absalom. A conflict arises and David is advised to not mourn too much. Afterall, David did lead them towards this resolution. As much as he may not have wanted this to be the result, it’s what became of Absalom’s rebellion. 
 
David knows, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
 
The second phase of our reading today revolved around what to do with those who were a part of the Absalom rebellion. David trusts in the love of God, and offers hospitality to those who rebelled. And while he doesn’t formally offer forgiveness of those who were a part of the rebellion, he does welcome them back into the kingdom.
 
“We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.” (3 John 8)
 
These are John’s words in regard to those who are strangers, and maybe not yet a part of the church.
 
It’s a loose connection, but here’s where I’m at today – when we love, we are close to God. Those who do evil have not seen God. Be not imitators of evil, but what is good.
 
“Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed are those who take refuge in him.”
 
Jordan

Day 153 – June 2, 2021
Scriptures: 2 Samuel 17-18, 2 John 1, Psalm 86
 
2 Samuel 17-18 is the military strategy discussion and execution between two factions. Absalom against his father David. David’s army wins, Absalom dies at the end of chapter 18. 
 
It is one of those stories in the Bible where you wish that there was a different approach, altogether for both sides. Certainly the divisiveness could have been avoided. 
 
David responds to the death of Absalom with intense emotion. The response reveals the heart of David and his love for Absalom, even though Absalom wishes David dead.
“The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”” (2 Samuel 18:33)
David prays in Psalm 86
“Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless people seeks my life— they have no regard for you. But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:14–15)
Perhaps this turmoil and altercation are in view within David’s prayer.
This part of the Psalm leads me to think, maybe, “Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant and save the son of a woman who served you before me.” (Psalm 86:16)
Either way, we see in David one who trusts in the Lord and knows of God as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness. 
No matter the emotion and struggle brought on by this altercation with Absalom and his death, David will trust in the Lord. Even though the prayer (if this is really for Absalom) isn't answered according to David's will, his trusting in God remains.

Trust in the Lord!
Jordan