Victory in Christ

God allowed Solomon to build the temple that his father David was not able to build. “Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. But the LORD said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless, you shall not build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name.’” (1 Kings 8:17-19) We are told many of the details of this build. It took tens of thousands of men seven years to complete the temple. Only the best materials were used to build it. I am sure it was an amazing sight to see. This temple was described as the house that Solomon built for God. As marvelous as this house may have been, we have been promised an opportunity for one even better. “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Today’s reading: 1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3

Listen:

No matter whether we are rich or poor, all blessings that we have are from our Heavenly Father. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17) “The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the Maker of them all.” (Proverbs 22:2) The blessings that we have been given were intended to also be shared with others. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35) As true followers of Christ, we are to show love to our fellow man. “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17)

Today’s reading: Proverbs 22-24

Listen:

Decisions made without good information to back them up can get us into trouble. “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” (Proverbs 19:2) We can gain the knowledge we need for the most important things in our life from only one place. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) If we diligently study His Word with an open heart, it will change our lives. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) God knew that we would suffer trials and struggle sometimes so He made sure that His words were preserved for our benefit. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Today’s reading: Proverbs 19-21

Listen:

Throughout my life I have made plans for certain things. Whether they were short term or long term plans, many times I changed the plan before it was completed. Solomon speaks of how fickle the human mind is compared to God. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21) If we focus our plans toward God’s will, we can have the most stable source to guide us. “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3) “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) Knowing that God’s power is stronger than anything on this earth, we can live faithful to Him without worry. “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:25-27) As Christians, His power is in us if we will just use it to His glory. “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Today’s reading: Proverbs 16-18

Listen:

It has been said that you become like the 5 people that you spend the most time with. Solomon may not have followed his own advice, but he knew friends were important. “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17) “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20) Paul gave a similar warning in his first letter to the Corinthians. “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Our book of Psalms begins by telling us that happy is the person who spends time in God’s word rather than spending time with unrighteous people. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalms 1:1) Jesus, the perfect influence and best friend a person could have is there for us if we want him to be our friend. “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14)

Today’s reading: Proverbs 13-15

Listen:

Solomon had great wisdom from God, but he did not always follow what he knew to be right. He tells us where following instruction will put us. “Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” (Proverbs 10:17) None of us want to be one of those he is talking about who lead others astray. We can all look back and see people who have been influences in our lives, both good and bad. The Hebrew writer tells us to focus on those positive influences and try to follow their way. “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7) Paul told us thru his writing to the Corinthians to follow his example because he was following the greatest example that ever walked this earth. “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Today’s reading: Proverbs 10-12

Listen:

Our actions are guided by what is on our mind. Daily study and focus on God’s Word is the best guide for a Christian life. “My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 7:1-3) Prioritizing spiritual thoughts over material thoughts will keep us on the path to an eternal home with our Heavenly Father. “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

Today’s reading: Proverbs 7-9

Listen:

Normally when we travel there is a particular destination that we are headed toward. Without that destination to focus on, we would just be traveling aimlessly forever. Solomon tells us how our daily walk should be focused. “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:25-27) If we keep our focus on serving God and daily following His word, our final destination will be a home with Him.

Today’s reading: Proverbs 4-6

Listen:

We know how Solomon was given great knowledge and wisdom from God. He shares with us where knowledge starts. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)  The fear he is talking about here means to give God the reverence and honor that He deserves. If we have this kind of attitude toward our Heavenly Father, the love for Him will show in our desire to learn more of His word and serve Him with all of our being. Job shared a similar statement, adding to it understanding. “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28) In Psalms we have another similar statement with an extra piece of information.  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” (Psalms 111:10) As this verse says, if we love Him and follow His word completely, we will praise Him without end.

Today’s reading: Proverbs 1-3

Listen:

Have you ever sung the song that includes the words “Jesus, Rose of Sharon” and wondered where that phrase came from? The only place “rose of Sharon” is found in the Bible is here in Song of Solomon. “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.” (Song of Solomon 2:1) Apologetics Press has a good article on the topic here: https://apologeticspress.org/jesusrose-of-sharon-3351/

Today’s reading: Song of Solomon 1-8

Listen: