Hiatus

I have decided to suspend maintenance and updates on this site.

Lahag Shalom was started with the intention of being an interactive tool for readers to use in their own study of Scripture. I read a chapter, journal my thoughts, and encourage the reader to interact with their own thoughts on the passage, or with my thoughts. Over the course of 50+ posts, there were only 7 comments, all from one reader. Thus far, this blog has not met its purpose of being an interactive tool, and I have decided to move on.

I may return to this idea in the future if it becomes a benefit in my community (virtual or physical), but for now, do not expect new content here in the near future.

For those who have been reading, thank you. For you who have interacted, thank you greatly.

Daniel Chapter Seven

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This chapter is chock full of Jewish Apocalyptic literature. It reads so much like the book of Revelation, that it makes me think of Revelation, and the intended audience. Were they familiar with Daniel and his work? Of his interpretations of dreams like this one?

And just how far into Daniel's (or our) future is this fourth kingdom supposed to take root?

Daniel Chapter Six

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Daniel is now in his third reign of oppression over Israel. And once again, he is found blameless before the King and other men. Yet their jealousy consumes them and they find a way to get him out of the picture.

I think what strikes me the most from this passage is not that Daniel survives the lion's den. Or that the others wanted him dead. I think what catches me the most is that after Daniel is removed from the land, Darius has the others thrown in the den with THEIR FAMILIES as well, and then issues a decree throughout the land that everyone is to fear and reverence God, 24 hours after he has decreed that everyone must worship him. This is God at work, taking a proud man down to his lowest and humbling him, and through that beginning a new work in the people this man oversees. This seems to be why Daniel did not fight back, but worked within the governmental structure when Israel was invaded.

Could I do that?

Daniel Chapter Five

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So all of a sudden we are into the next king of Babylon, Belshazzar, who likes to party evidently. And this hand starts writing on the wall. How in the world does he not think of Daniel, who interpreted his father's dreams for him? He goes straight to the astrologers and diviners. And he refuses to learn from his father's mistakes! And that very night he pays for it. I just wonder, why honor Daniel for such an interpretation, when it foretold of the end of his reign? Did he begin to try to change at all that day? Or was he waiting to?

Hmm...

Daniel Chapter Four

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Very interesting dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had. And to hear that interpretation after eh had praised God's mighty works? And then a year later to fall back into his prideful ways. And then, and only then does the prophecy happen. I wonder how much he was aware of while he was like one of the animals?

And in the end, he still praised God once again. Wow.

Daniel Chapter Three

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Look at the 90-foot tall golden idol! It is majestic, is it not? So worthy of being worshiped, the inanimate object symbolizing a fallen man. I have always wondered just who came up with the idea of making the people worship this idol. Was it Neduchadnezzar on his own? Did one of his advisers suggest it? Was it a common practice to cast yourself in gold as tall as a modest skyscraper and force your subjects to revere it as if it were a god? Was the time that the music would play signifying the beginning of worship time regular or random? Did the people know when they would be forced to bow, or were they always wondering if it would happen in the next minute? (I would hate to be the guy on the toilet [yeah, no indoor plumbing, I know] when that music played).

And how much further can Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego be promoted?

In any event, these three men stood up for themselves and even though the men throwing them into the furnace died because of the flames, they were unscathed and had the son of God walking around in the furnace with them. Hmmm. Makes you wonder why some people have such a hard time trusting that God will take care of them when they stand up for Him. Sure, not everyone will be protected like this (This act changed the course of an entire kingdom), but He will take care of us. Why is that so hard to believe with such great examples littered throughout Scripture?

Daniel Chapter Two

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I love how Nebuchadnezzar really puts his astrologers and wise men to the test. If only more people today would put psychics and mediums to the test, and not be so susceptible top the power of suggestion. And is not death a fitting punishment for men who pretend to possess the powers of God? And before Daniel goes to explain the dream, he and his friends pray for wisdom in interpreting the dream, and SLEPT ON IT! Not a rash decision that required God to show up at the last minute, but allowing God to work in His time.

And after Daniel had interpreted the dream, the king was so thankful that he granted Daniel's request to elevate his friends' status, an not his own.

There is a lot we can learn from Daniel in this one passage today. Wow.

Daniel Chapter One

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Stop for a minute and put yourself in Daniel's shoes. America has been invaded by Canada (or Mexico, or Germany, or Japan, or any other country you can imagine). You are captured. You are tested to see if you are gifted enough to serve in the ruler's governmental structure, forced to learn the occupying country's language and, on top of all that, you are forced to receive a new name. What would your response be? Would you eat the fine food provided for you? Would you try to run? Would you refuse to cooperate with the invading government?

I really admire how Daniel handled all of this. Not only did he accept his new name and place gracefully, he worked on a way to remain set apart from the rest of those in the palace. Diplomatically. We all probably assume that God wants us to stand up to invaders and die for our country if the situation arises that we are called to, but what if He has plans for America to be invaded and humbled like He did for Israel? Would we be better called to work with the occupying forces or against? Sure, you could make cases for against really easily (WW II Germany), but what of Babylon here?

Return

New posts coming sometime in the next 24 hours...

Out of town

I will be at the National Youth Worker's Convention in Pittsburgh through Monday, so I am not expecting to be able to post regularly (or at all). I may be pleasantly surprised, but if I cannot post, know that this is why.

Zephaniah Chapter Three

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Again, wow. God lays it out here for us about just how messed up humans are. Jerusalem had a chance and they blew it. Yet, God then fills us in on how He desires for us to serve alongside Him. And what a day that will be...

Zephaniah Chapter Two

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The command early in this chapter to seek righteousness, seek humility is one that we in America have forgotten. There are so few within our shores that can be called truly righteous, or humble. What does it mean to be righteous or humble?

Righteous has a few definitions, but the best one is to be free from guilt or sin. While we can never be free from sin here on earth (not by ourselves anyway), we need to continue to seek that status, and to continually come back to God for it. Only He can provide us with that standing before Himself and others. And humility? Get rid of all of your pride. You make yourself a servant to others. You do not depreciate yourself, for that is false humility because you are beating down what God has created. But to place yourself as a servant, seeking the glory of God above your own.

How many of us can say that we achieve these?

How many of us really try?

Zephaniah Chapter One

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... wow. Really, wow.

The minor prophets are filled with messages of judgment against humanity, but Zephaniah just seems to come out swinging with his oracle. I was taken aback by how fierce this judgment is. It just left me reeling. The Day of The Lord. Wow. All that destruction. All that pain and suffering. And the gold and silver could not save them. They built houses that they would not get to live in. Planted vineyards that would not produce anything for them. They would make all sorts of plans for success on earth, but not get to follow them through because God's justice was coming. Wow. Simply phenomenal. I am still reeling from this pronouncement. Were you hit between the eyes as well?

Sick... Again

This past weekend I contracted the Flu, so there was no time spent online. Look for Lahag Shalom to start back up Tuesday.

Philippians Chapter Four

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• Some great thoughts on prayer here, as well as a very quick guide to how to live life according to God's desires.
• I love verse 8. You could not ask for a more succinct list of what to focus on in how to remain pure.
• We truly, like Paul could, do everything through God. He does give us strength.

Philippians Chapter Three

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Paul fills us in here on the problems of bragging about accomplishments under the Law. He really was the Hebrew of Hebrews. He was a Pharisee, carried out the Law to the letter, did everything that was required of him... and it gained him nothing. Well, not nothing, but it did not save him. And there were those in the church that apparently believed that the Law would save them. The same is true today. So often we believe that Christians are to act a certain way because without this action we will not get into heaven. But the real est of Heaven is where our heart is with God. If it lines up with Him, if our faith is genuine and genuinely placed, our actions will reflect that and we will carry out God's commands and requests as a second nature. It is very comforting and reassuring to see that Paul, a giant of the faith, admits his own shortcomings and imperfections.

One thing that I think we take the wrong way from this passage is the line about being citizens of heaven. A lot of people ascribe this to their life by living in an "evacuation theology" which uses this type of statement to say "I will be in heaven, so there is no need to improve the earth here and now." They focus so much on the other side of eternity that they forget heaven's citizens have responsibilities here on earth. Care for the poor, feed the hungry, and more. It's all in the citizenship manual (so to speak). Have you ever found yourself reading these words about being a citizen of heaven and thought that your responsibilities on earth were lessened because of that?

Philippians Chapter Two

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wow.....

This is what it means to be a Christian. Not seeking acclaim for what we do. Not correcting those who are wrong. But living a life of complete self-sacrifice in which we are constantly placing those around us above ourselves. It is no wonder that American Christians are so poor at emulating Christ. It flies in the face of the modern American dream. The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness no matter the cost to others. And when you throw in do everything without complaining or arguing? Wow. This is such a foreign idea to Americans. We love to complain and argue. It is in our fallen human nature to do so! So many of us do not want to give that up.

And then we see someone who almost died for this life that Christ asks. Can we say that we would honestly do the same?

Philippians Chapter One

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Some of the greeting is what I pray for teens that I work with now, and have worked with in the past. Especially verses 10 and 11. This is exactly why I am in youth ministry. To train up teenagers to grow in the glory of Christ and to live their lives to the full for Him.

So what do you understand conducting yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ to mean?

Ugh

Sunday and Monday I fought a valiant battle against a pretty severe head cold. This is why there have been no posts for the past two days. It also forced me to rest and take some real Sabbath time instead of filling that time with incessant work. Every now and then God makes me do this.

Tomorrow we will start a new book together. For today, take some time to truly rest. Get in some good, genuine Sabbath time with God, in which it is only you and Him. No TV, no Internet, no phone. Just you and Him.

And check back tomorrow for our next book...

Habakkuk Chapter Three

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"... in wrath remember mercy."

Here we see God as a wrathful God, ready, willing and able to enact His justice against those who have incurred it. Again, in reading one of the minor prophets I am at the same time in awe and grateful that the God I serve is so majestic and perfect that His justice has to be enacted against sin. It is quite interesting to see God's wrath put on display here.

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength..."

Habakkuk Chapter Two

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Have you ever stopped and considered that Israel became the same thing to other countries that Egypt had been to them? Think about it. Here God tells Habakkuk that the other nations will be coming against them, essentially wanting back what Israel had taken. Israel became the new Egypt, and now it was time for God to put them back in their place for not living as He had directed.

The language in verse 15 and 16 is quite raw. Whom did Israel get drunk to see the exposed body? Was it real people or is this a word picture? Probably a little bit of both!

And how many idols today do we truly put our faith in? Waiting for another person, or an image, or money to come and bail us out? Where did our trust - where did Israel's trust - in God go? Why is it so difficult to follow a few basic commands and requests?

Habakkuk Chapter One

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There is something different about Habakkuk. Instead of a book full of just the oracles of God to (or against) His people, we get to see the conversation between Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk laments to God, and I feel like I am reading the Psalms when I read Habakkuk's first complaint. In fact, I am fairly certain that there is indeed some overlap. Was Habakkuk speaking merely from His heart or was there some intent to use David's writings in his complaint to God?

It also amazes me to see that God flat-out tells Habakkuk that He is going to use a godless people to carry out His plan. The Babylonians are actually going to be used by God, even though they are not God-fearing people! Kind of ruins the cliche of "God can't steer a parked car" doesn't it?

And I have to say that I love verse 13. "Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil..." That is the type of God that I want to serve. One whose perfection is all-encompassing. Not an imperfect God who stumbles just as much as I do.

Obadiah

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Obadiah is very small as a book. There is one oracle here to reflect upon, and it is very simple to understand. Or is it?

This is not the first time we have seen Mount Zion referred to in the Old Testament. It is the Jewish belief that Zion is where ultimately we will all end up (those of us who are among God's chosen people, anyway). We see a prophecy against Edom (the descendants of Esau) of how God will cut them down from their lofty high horse. He also gives them a warning against taking advantage of His people in their day of disaster.

What is really interesting about this prophecy to me is that instead of a prophecy to the people of Israel here, we have a prophecy specifically to the descendants of Esau of how they are too proud and should stay away from Israel when she falls. Yet they are told about the Day of the Lord in which all people of God will celebrate together. They are shown what that might look like and told essentially that they will have no part in it. They have had their time, and now that it is almost over, there will be no more time for them.

Very finite, don't you think?

Pause

Something different today. Read through this Psalm and carry it with you all day long. Mediate upon it, and reflect on how it applies in your life today.

O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.

Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.

My soul is in anguish.
How long, O LORD, how long?

Turn, O LORD, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.

No one remembers you when he is dead.
Who praises you from the grave?

I am worn out from groaning;
all night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears.

My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.

Away from me, all you who do evil,
for the LORD has heard my weeping.

The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;
the LORD accepts my prayer.

All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed;
they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

Psalm 6 (NIV)

Galatians Chapter Six

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A very stark reminder that we are not ultimately in charge. We cannot claim any success. We are responsible for our actions. We are to treat God with respect, no matter what.

And ultimately, we are to remember that when a brother (or sister) in Christ falls to sin, we should practice grace and mercy in an attempt to restore them to true fellowship with God, and with other believers.

And finally, we are told to remember that no matter what we do or do not do, we are a new creation in God, and that is all that matters.

I love reading Paul...

Galatians Chapter Five

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I love Paul's language in verse 12. So blunt, so bold. I also appreciate the call to remember that even though we are free, not tot take advantage of that freedom and excuse our sinfulness.

And then we have the list of what is sinful behavior (not an exhaustive list, of course) and what is a result of the Spirit at work. If you need to ask whether someone is following in Christ's footsteps, look no further than these lists. Are you following? Am I following?

Galatians Chapter Four

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We are not slaves to sin, or to broken nature! We are heirs to the Kingdom! What does this mean? It means that sin and brokenness do not have to rule our lives. It means that we can claim that one day as God's children we will one day share in the restored Creation with God Himself! Pretty reassuring if you ask me.

The Galatians seemed not to understand this, and became slaves again to false gods instead of the one true God. How many false gods today have we turned our backs on the real God in favor of? What sort of things within Christianity have we turned into a false god to be worshiped, adored and observed instead of what God truly asks?

Galatians Chapter Three

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Man, Paul really tears into the Galatians for relying solely upon the Law in this chapter. How many of us modern-day Christians have turned our faith into a rigid list of do's and don'ts that we have to follow in order to be good Christians instead of relying upon the life change that the Spirit brings when He takes up residence in our lives? The Law was only there to help humans until Jesus arrived on the scene! It was set up to lead us to Christ, and now that He has come, we are in His presence! The Law - while not being null and void, because it agrees with the promise of God - is not needed any longer. Jesus accomplished this. Sacrifices, circumcision, all of it!

I really can't wait to see where Paul goes with these last couple verses of today's passage. No Jew or Gentile, but all one in Jesus...

Sorry

Under the weather tonight. No focus to blog. Should be back in the morning...

Galatians Chapter Two

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There is a lot of heady stuff in today's passage. Did you know that Paul had to call Peter to the carpet for being dumb before today? I think that we all have the same tendencies when it comes to associating with other Christians. It is natural to gravitate towards those who we share something in common with. But to withdraw from some because of cosmetic issues is ridiculous.

Now, bearing in mind that circumcision is a bit more involved than any of my examples, follow in my thinking. Say you are a Christian. Say it! And you have been for a while. Then some new person walks in and you notice that even though they are engaging in the worship service fully, singing, raising hands, taking notes from the Pastor's sermon - you can be confident that they are a member of the body - you hold back from getting involved. Why? Because they are covered in tattoos. Or they are wearing a suit and tie. Or they wore jeans to church. Or they are old.

You see, with the New Covenant that Jesus gave us, we are no longer required to undergo circumcision of the flesh, but of our hearts. The fleshly circumcision became a status symbol for Jewish Christians, and those who were not circumcised were ostracized and ignored. What practices have we made like circumcision? What do we engage in to show our holiness to the world that is nothing more than a status symbol?

Galatians Chapter One

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Back into Paul's writing. I have to say that among the authors of Scripture, Paul is quite possibly my favorite. And here he starts right into the meat of his letter. After a brief greeting, he informs the Galatian church that they are not to follow any other Gospel other than the real Gospel. What kinds of false gospels do we face today? Prosperity gospels. The gospel that heaven is attainable by many methods. The gospel of God being able to tolerate sin. The gospel that we are always right. It amazes me that these gospels (and many, many more) have arisen out of a desire to please people, and not God. Let us hear the real, hard truths of the Gospel! We are broken sinners who deserve death! It is only through Jesus' sacrifice and God's grace that we can enter into a loving relationship with God. And the gospel starts now, eternal life starts now, not when we die!

And then Paul takes some time to share his history with the church. He was pretty infamous before he converted, but here he reminds the people that he was rotten. And then Jesus changed his life, and he followed wherever Christ called him to go. Why are we so afraid to follow the Gospel fully? Because it is uncomfortable.

How about you?

Joel Chapter Three

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From "you're doomed" to "turn and perhaps you will be saved from tragedy" to "calling all available fighting men!" What a trip in just a few pages. God calls on His faithful people to come to His side, to fight alongside Him and to follow Him. What a turn-around from the beginning of Joel. And then to cap it all off, He declares that after that day, the land of Jerusalem and Judea will forever be filled with His people. So the question becomes, how far into the future does Joel's prophecy go? Is it an end-times Jesus-is-coming-back-so-you'd-better-make-things-right prophecy? Or did this already happen in Israel?

Hmmm...

Joel Chapter Two

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Just a couple of observations about today's passage:

• I wonder why it was that a lot of God's judgment (whether played out in life, or alluded to in prophecies) involved locusts. Sure, they pretty much destroy everything in their path, but was there more to it than that?
• I like that Israel is being given a chance to change God's mind here (though that gets into another deeper discussion) by offering not sacrifices and actions, but a change in heart so that the other nations will not curse and disbelieve God.
• Apocalyptic prophecy. Gotta love it, even though we have no real chance of completely understanding it. But it is comforting to know that Israel was promised that God would be there completely if they would only change their hearts and line back up with Him...
  

Joel Chapter One

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Joel really gets me thinking. When Israel was invaded and ransacked, the people went to God , mourning and lamenting. They fasted, prayed and cried out to God. I am sure they wondered why, but overall they probably asked Him to save them and to help them (it was Israel's way, after all).

If America were to suffer today what Israel had suffered then, how would we respond? Would we cry out to God, or would we cry out at God? Would we spend more energy cursing Him and demanding answers, or would we focus most of our attention on please for help, mercy and salvation?

Hmmm...

3 John

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It is interesting to see that even in the early days of Christianity there were people in leadership positions who wanted to run the show their way and not God's way. Over the years I have encountered many people who were like this (and even a few times acted this way myself), and each time it was a dividing point in that particular body. Sometimes it was just not being willing to accept change, sometimes it was controlling who could participate and who could not. And almost always it involved gossip and slander, lies and backstabbing.

Yet even in this situation with Gaius, John lets hi know that when he gets there he will set things right. And that Gaius should remember that those who follow God are the ones doing genuine good. He challenges him to remain this way and continue to show love, and not give into the temptation to do evil.

I think this is a message we all can benefit from.

2 John

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Short, sweet and to the point. John continues his thoughts on love from 1 John here. But he is more brief. He wants to visit this church and share in person. He recognizes the value in a face-to-face conversation and teaching over letters (and today's equivalents). But he is clear that love is following after Christ. And if we are not following after Christ, not only are we not loving, but we are not Christians! Pretty simple if you ask me.

How about you?

Jude

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I am really encouraged by this book. Really, I am. Here we see Jude writing to encourage and warn a church about the men who come in and take advantage of God's grace and mercy (sounds familiar, eh?), and take Paul's warning of "Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial" a little too far. Jude makes reference to the fact that not even the angels make slight remarks about spiritual beings, even the evil spiritual beings. But here we are in 21st century America where we have no problem with making fun of Satan, angels, demons and God Himself. Have we become like those men? Is laughing at a joke about the devil wrong or harmful? Or am I misinterpreting here.

Now granted I am a firm believer that God has an immense sense of humor (e.g. the platypus, navel lint, bodily noises and country music. [okay that last one was mine]), but how far does that humor extend? I suppose the biggest thing to learn from Jude is that we need to watch for these men (and women) and not be led astray by them.

I am also encouraged by verses 22 and 23 in which we are told to show mercy for those who doubt, and in a roundabout way, to love the sinner and hate the sin. To temper mercy with fear, not just to run blindly in but to be observant and watchful.

What did you think of Jude?

Nahum Chapter Three

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Ever meet someone who was so full of themselves that you could not help but to wish that they would fall fall on their faces so everyone to see? I have. Several people in fact. I get the impression that other nations were waiting for Nineveh to get its comeuppance. And in a way, I feel oddly satisfied that Nineveh did. Not because I revel in seeing people hurt or tripped up. But because it shows that God is true to His word, and that He will not tolerate stupidity from His people.

You see, God is perfect. Humans are not. I know, I know big surprise there. But follow me on this. For God to be perfect, He has to desire for us to strive to be perfect. When we mess up, He is ready and willing to forgive us, and sometimes even removes us from the results of our mistakes. But when we intentionally make bad choices expecting God to forgive us, we start to take advantage of His mercy and grace. It is no longer grace (unmerited favor) because we expect it from Him. So what is left when there is no more grace? Justice. It comforts me that God's justice is active, and not a side concept. Even though I do not want to be on the receiving end of His justice, I feel that we tend to focus so much on God's mercy and grace that we forget about His perfect justice that HAS to act against sin. Even mine. But it is still there, and sometimes we only see it when it is inconvenient for us or when we look at what happens to someone else when they foul up. I wonder if Nineveh in the years after Jonah's visit fell into this as they turned from God, expecting Him not to carry through on His earlier word. Did they think that turning away once from their sins would be enough? Or did they just rely so much upon God's grace that it ran out?

And are we headed in the same direction?

Nahum Chapter Two

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As I read this passage, I think back to Jesus' words of "If you are not for Me you are against Me" (Mark 9) as God here states to Nineveh that He is against them. For good reason of course, but it kind of ruins the Americanized picture of either a God who is always nice to humanity (like Santa Claus, He supposedly exists to make life easy for us), or a God who just sits back and watches. I like that God gets into the action here. It shows that His justice needs to be met, that He will not tolerate sinfulness. And yet, He warns Nineveh that it is coming. There is no "unless you do this" clause though. At least not yet. God simply tells Nineveh that their days are numbered and that number is just about up. He paints a graphic story of how Nineveh will go down, leaving no mercy.

Have you ever see God in this light?

Nahum Chapter One

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Wow.

Nahum just goes off on Ninevah. He reminds them of God's immense power and strength. I felt like I was reading the last couple of chapters of Job while Nahum was conveying the immensity of God's nature. And yet in the middle of it all, we are reminded that God is good,and that He does indeed care for His people and desires to protect them. And then we are back into God's need to punish sin, reminding us of the consequences that await us when we choose to sin. Granted, we are probably not going to incur God's wrath to the point that He chooses to obliterate our country (though there are those who say that He already is working on this...)

Interesting note: Nahum prophecies over 100 years after Jonah did. And Ninevah did not repent this time around. Ninevah fell to the Babylonians, Medes and Scythians in 612 B.C. For more background on Ninevah, Nahum and Jonah, stop by this site.

Pause

Instead of reading a new passage today, take today to spend some time with God in prayer. Maybe look over some of the Scripture that we read over the past 2 weeks. Meditate on the words that God has given you so far in this journey. And prepare your heart for reading a new book tomorrow.

1 John Chapter Five

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I get the very distinct impression that the recipients of John's letter needed a thorough explanation of just what love is. Again in this chapter we see more explanation that in order to be called Christians we need to love God and follow His commands. But what sin is John talking about that does not lead to death? Is it just sins that do not affect the physical body directly, such as lying, stealing and cheating? Or is it something else entirely? And why are we only supposed to pray for those who have committed sin that does not lead to death? Are we talking grieving the Holy Spirit here, or something else? Perhaps we need to look at what else John has said about Christians. According to John, people born of the Spirit do not sin willingly, so is this here implying that it is not a Christian sinning, a person who has willingly sinned in such a way that they have delivered themselves into Satan's hands? Is it public sin? Visible? How do we see it? Or perhaps this person who we are forbidden to pray for is not only someone who has not been truly born of Christ, but claims to be and is sinning willingly while being a part of the church? In that instance should we not pray for blessings of life on that person, but judgment, reconciliation and forgiveness for that person? Lots of questions..

I do love how John wraps up this letter, with a plea for the readers not to give into idolatry. For what is at the heart of idolatry, but love and devotion for something other than God?

Hmmm...

(Check out the commentary for the second half of this passage)

1 John Chapter Four

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Ever needed a good passage that tells you to double check what others are saying in the name of Christ? Go no further. Do you double check what pastors tell you? What your friends tell you? What I tell you here in this blog? Many of us do not, and as a result we get led down the wrong paths in the name of Jesus, declaring lies as truth.

And if you ever needed an exhaustive definition of what love is, look no further than the second half of this passage. What do you think of what John says about love?

1 John Chapter Three

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It is interesting how John keeps using love and sin throughout the book so far. Each time he brings up sin it is to point out that a person who willingly sins is not showing love for God. In fact, here John calls those who willingly sin children of Satan, not of God. But what exactly does he mean in verse 9 when he says that anyone born of God cannot sin?

And then he takes it even further by saying that we need to do more to love than just say that we love. We need to show it through our actions. And if we don't show it? We do not love. And if we do not love? We are not children of God. Wow. Tough stuff.

A side note: 1 John 3.16-19 is among the most impacting passages on my life.

What do you think?

1 John Chapter Two

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Wow. Not only are those who do not live according to the commands of Jesus deceiving themselves, but anyone who does not love their brother is doing the same thing. How does this translate into our broken homes today? Love is not just playing nice, so how does this passage impact and translate into sibling squabbles? Divorce? Declaring your undying hatred for a sister who has gone "too far"? Ignoring a younger sibling just because they annoy you? Does this expose us for being frauds? Or are we content to just rationalize it as acceptable family behavior?

Speaking of love, what do you love in the world so much that you place it as more important in your life than God (or even family) is? We all have something, what is yours?

Did you ever think that the whole buildup to a singular "Anti-Christ" is misleading? According to John here, anyone who denies Jesus Christ is an anti-Christ. Have you ever been guilty of being and anti-Christ? We need to remember to remain within the protection and guidance of Jesus' teaching, lest we become and anti-Christ. If we go outside of His directives, if we do or own thing and ignore what He says, we are denying His Lordship, and are saying that we are against Him.

Deep thoughts. What about you?

1 John Chapter One

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So simple does John lay this core truth of Christianity out for us. If we claim to be Christians, but o not live our lives to show it, we are deceiving ourselves. And the world. If we claim to love Him and say that we follow His commands, but continue to live our lives the way that WE want to, we are not really Christians. But if we do indeed admit that we are sinful, that we are imperfect and that we do indeed need saving, Jesus' sacrifice is all that we need to restore our fellowship with God.

Brief, simple, bold. No fence-sitting from John here. I can't wait to see what's next.

How about you?

Micah Chapter Seven

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It is amazing that even with all of the pain, distrust, and evil going on around Micah that he is able to wait upon and trust in God. Who among us today has that ability? I know that I don't often show that type of patience and trust. Oftentimes I am quick to try and come up with my own plans when things go south.

I love the combination of legal metaphor and rescue that Micah uses in the middle portion of this chapter. We will be responsible for bearing the wrath of God for our sins. But not the full brunt. We have to deal with the consequences of our failures, but He is coming and the evil that mocks our trust now will be shown that they are indeed wrong.

Wow. Just wow. Comparing the other sinful nations to the form that Satan took in the Garden of Eden? Bold. To be reminded that God will indeed save us and tread our sin under His feet? I think that we all need to hear that. I know that I do.

Micah Chapter Six

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Verse 8 - so powerful. Especially within the context of both the rest of the chapter and the rest of the book so far.

Eat but not be satisfied - a desire for more and more wealth but never have enough?

Powerful sentence here. I know that it was directed toward Israel, but I can't help but see that today, we are still carrying this penalty around with us...

Micah Chapter Five

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Today gives the Israelites great hope for the Messiah.

It gives me great hope for His second coming.

Micah Chapter Four

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Wow. This portion of Micah's oracle had to be unsettling to Israel. To know that they would be the woman who was kicked while she was down. But so uplifting to see that one day in the future, God will restore true Shalom to His people.

Wow.

It rings true for us today. As Christians we are that same woman, awaiting the day when God picks us back up. Or are we called not just to wait, but also to seek God's Kingdom here while we await His ultimate salvation? I think this passage argues both.

How about you?

Micah Chapter Three

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How true. I gave you a link into The Message today. Take a minute and read verses 5-7 How true is this today? We have a lot of pastors and leaders who are full of great blessings and pleasantries as long as the money is flowing, but once it dries up it seems to create within these leaders a new personality. Once the money is gone, we get to see who these leaders really are.

Do you know any Christian leader who is well of financially? How would their ministry look if they were to suddenly lose everything like Job? Would they respond like Job or like one of the pastors in this passage? How would you respond?

I love this passage also for putting out there that God is concerned with justice. Not human justice, but HIS justice. Unfortunately for Israel that meant justice for the entire country. Do you suppose that sometimes when America experiences tragedies that it might be God's justice playing out on us? Or maybe it is just a continuation of the Fall?

Micah Chapter Two

Read Today's Passage

The first half of this passage is fairly straightforward. It is a reminder and a warning that those who plan evil and carry it out will be dealt with by God in His justice. It is comforting to me to know that God did care (and still does) about what is on mens' (and womens') hearts and what they do with their lives. And that those who we see as gaining much because of wrong practices, they will be dealt with by God.

The second half of this chapter is where it really gets interesting. There are so many churches, s many Christians that just want to hear the good stuff. They want to bring someone in who will not call them out when they are wrong. Someone who will only promise that they will be blessed. These types of pastors are incredibly popular because "people don't want to hear negative things on Sunday morning. They want to be uplifted." There is a place for being uplifted in Christianity, but if it is not balanced with times of confrontation over how life is being lived, then it is not only an incomplete message, but it is really dangerous. Micah is calling those types of believers here, and as odd as it sounds, it is reassuring to me.

There is deliverance and safety promised to us, but it may not come now.

What did you think?

Micah Chapter One

Read Micah Chapter One

It has been a while since I have read Micah. In this first chapter I find it quite interesting that Micah brings his message from God to Israel, yet it is directed at the entire world. Israel is not the only country or people that have fallen into this sinful lifestyle that Israel is guilty of. We here in America today have fallen into the same trap. Don't understand what I am referencing? Check out chapter one in The Message, then come back here...


Read it?


We are just as guilty for having "sex and religion shrines." Legalized pornography freely available, and usage statistics virtually identical within the church as outside. Prostitution freely engaged in, soft-core porn on prime-time television and in commercial advertising. We worship at the altar of illicit sexuality. Sex has become such a primary focus that God and His desires takes a back seat. And look at what happened to Israel because they allowed the same thing to happen. The entire population was condemned for this.

Makes you wonder about how sin affects the people around you, eh? Is there such a thing as sin that merely affects you?

What do you think?

What is Up?

Greetings and welcome to this new blog hosted by your lovable Youth Pastor. You are probably here because you are a student (or leader, or parent, or pet) affiliated with H20 Student Ministries in Corry, PA. If you are not, I want to welcome you anyway, and we welcome your thoughts. I just wanted to take this first post to introduce the purpose of this blog and to let you know the ground rules for posting comments.

I started this blog as a sort of continuation from our Journey With Jesus blog from our summer Scripture reading challenge. There were a few people who really benefited from a regularly (read: daily) updated Bible reading blog - myself included. So after a couple of requests for more, and some desire on my part, here we are. This blog will serve as an aid to you in your own Scripture reading. My goal is to update daily and to read a book at a time. The latter plan may change down the road, but this is where we are starting. Your role is to read and respond. I will post my thoughts here on the day's passage. You read the same passage and leave your thoughts as a comment. Quite simple, eh?

As far as decorum in the comments, I will moderate comments here on the blog. If you have a Google account or an Open ID account, please use it. I want to be able to attribute thoughts to individuals. If you do not have either option, leave your name in your comment. I will not approve anonymous comments, or comments that attack other readers, or are simple venting about something that does not apply.

Just wanted to get those things out of the way. Look for content tomorrow!