Praying for the Nations (2 Chronicles 4-6 / John 10)

Solomon marches on with the massive work that the temple of the Lord inscales (2 Chronicles 4). Bringing the ark of the covenant to the new temple was a big deal (5:6). The priest's threw a party and invited a band making sure God would get all of the glory (5:11-13). God, evidently, was pleased because he filled the temple with a cloud of glory (5:13-14). 2 Chronicles 6:6 returns us to the importance of the person of David and the city of Jerusalem (Re-read blog entry "Good Food" from May 19). God always keeps his promises (6:10)! Solomon was a prayer-warrior (6:14-42) and his prayer contains many helpful hints on how to pray. We should always remember our nation in our prayers but we should also pray for the nations as well (6:32-33). This type of prayer is at the heart of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). http://Operationworld.24-7prayer.com/ is a great guide to use when praying for the nations.

In John 10:24-42, Jesus speaks much of "miracles" (v. 25, 32, 38). "A miracle is an uncommon act of God. It is where God gets the attention, to help us believe more in Him by doing something that brings us to awe and brings us to worship ... so that we would believe" (David Nasser, "Why Jesus", p. 36). When we take time to look in-depth at Jesus's mircles, they really are extraordinary accomplishments. We can do nothing but walk away saying that was the Son of God!

Wisdom & Care (2 Chronicles 1 / John 10)

More than anything, Solomon desired "wisdom and knowledge" for his administration (2 Chronicles 1:10). We could all use more wisdom in our lives as we work, play, and do all things for the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:33). God did more than grant Solomon's request (1:11-12). Solomon began immediatly on the work he had been charged by his father David to do (2:1). And Solomon realized his humble place in the grand scheme of things (2:6). Even others recognized Solomon's wisdom (2:12). Take time today to ask God for wisdom in your life circumstances.

We have all been like sheep gone astray (I Peter 2:25). Thankfully, the Good Shepherd watches over his own. The Shepherd of our soul (I Peter 2:25) will do whatever it takes to keep us in His hands (John 10:11). Take time to thank God for the care that He expresses to us daily.

The Final Word (1 Chronicles 28-29 / John 9)

David gives his son Solomon some good advice (I Chronicles 28:9-10, 20) before departing (I Chronicles 29:28). David challenges the assembly (29:5) and then prays before them (29:10-13). And the assembly responds in humble adoration (29:20). The assembly is noted by David for their rich generosity (29:14). More importantly, God responds by giving Solomon great splendor (29:25) and by allowing David to see his son become the next king of Israel (29:28). If we could compare this account to congregational life within a church setting, we would say this congregation was blessed and on fire for God. There is probably some great parallels between this church and the church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7). If God were to judge our churches, would He be pleased?

The Pharisees could not give it up (John 9:24). For the "second time," they called the blind man to account and he did not give them a different answer. The blind man told the Pharisees what they did not want to hear (9:25) and then tried to make them look foolish (9:27). The Pharisees ultimately made the blind man depart (9:34), however Jesus got the last word (9:41).

The Light (1 Chronicles 25-27 / John 9)

I Chronicles 25-27 is full of "capable" men who perform duties, be it ministering, worshipping, or prophesying. Other "capable" men in this passage are found to be gatekeepers, officials, or in the military. Some men are placed over others in army rank as Israel's army was divided into squadrons (27:1-15). Even 27:5 speaks of Benaiah "who was a mighty man and over the Thirty (I Chronicles 11:10-47)." The makeup of churches today begs the question, "where are the men?" Granted, there are many men in and out of the church who are incapable, but the more important phenomenon is first finding out where all the men went to. I am convinced for many men, the answers range from fishing to hunting to golfing to working or watching tv. We need a return to I Chronicles 25-27 in our local church houses where capable men are found in abundance.

The real light that shines in John 9 is the confession that the blind man's parents do not make because of their fear of man (9:27). "Jesus is the Christ" - this is the light that brings sight to the blind. Yes, the man's physical sight had been restored, but it was through this miracle that the man first saw the Light (9:5).

A Father's Love (1 Chronicles 22 / John 8)

David wanted his son to build God's house but even more than this, he wanted his son to gain wisdom (I Chronicles 22:11-12). David knew that this type of "godly wisdom" (2 Corinthians 7:10) would bring his son true success (I Chronicles 22:13). David also supplied his son with the materials and resources needed to build God's house (22:14-16) as well as peaceful working conditions (22:18). In the end, Solomon was one of the wisest men to walk the face of the earth and he did complete God's house. However, we often forget the great sacrifice his father had to endure. To take this idea a step further, let us compare this idea to our relationship with our Heavenly Father. What "great pain" (22:14) the Father must have went through to give His Son up for us and to prepare a place for us one day to join Him.

In John 8, Jesus gets into a spat with some Jews who think he is demon-possessed. He really upsets the Jews when He tells them that He was present before Abraham was ever born (John 8:58-59). It is important that we always accept the deity of Christ. Anything else is approaching blasphemy.

Inquiry (1 Chronicles 13-15 / John 7)

Uzziah did not carry the ark of the covenant in the "prescribed way" because the Levites did not "inquire" of the Lord (I Chronicles 13:9; 15:13). How many times do we as churches and people do things out of tradition instead of consistently inquiring of the Lord? Just because we had a program last year at church does not necessarily mean we need to have the same program this year. It is important that through prayer, we stay in touch with the Master's will. David did just this in I Chronicles 14:14. The verse says he inquired of the Lord "again." God had already given David success against the Philistines after his first inquiry. However, David did not presume upon God. He inquired again and found out that God would do things differently this time but would still give him success (14:15-16). God will go out "before us" (14:15). We just need to stay in tune with Him so we know how to react to the changes that He often demands.

Jesus makes an appearence at the Feast at the perfect time (7:14). It seems as if the crowd was split 50-50 on what to think about Jesus (7:12). That is about the time that Jesus steps up to the platform to teach. It is as if Jesus told himself, "that is enough talking, I will tell you who I am." Do we presume to talk whenever we want or do we wait for the time that is best? In telling others about Jesus, I believe there is a best timing for us in most circumstances.

Robin Hood (1 Chronicles 10-12 / John 6)

I Chronicles 10-12 matches up well with the new movie, Robin Hood (which is worth seeing). Notice, however, why King Saul died (10:13-14). It was not because he was not a good fighter. David had the respect of the men, even when Saul was still King (11:1-2). David starts his campaign by taking over Jerusalem (11:4-9). Remember the importance of the person David and the city Jerusalem from yesterday's passage. Chapters 11-12 close by noting the massive scale of David's army. As believers of Christ, we are all in the ministry and part of God's army. Are not you glad that you do not have to fight alone?

Jesus said he was the bread of life (John 6:48) and that people should eat of his bread (6:51). But some of the Pharisees thought he was demanding cannibalism (6:52). Jesus knew which disciples would betray him before they ever acted their betrayal out (6:64, 70). But only in His omniscience did He choose the 12 because He knew His Father had a redemption plan that needed to be worked out.