1 Kings

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a question about this era that I am reading. I wanted to know if this was the Kingdom era. As I read more and more I am learning that this is indeed the Kingdom era. I am amazed at all the unrighteous kings that came after David. Many of them manipulate God's word to get what they want. But in the end they end up being the one cut short.

1 Kings 11

God took away Solomon's kingdom because he did not serve Him like his father, David did. However, He did keep His promise to David by giving one tribe to Solomon's son.

Reflection: God will keep His promises to us if we serve and obey Him.

Acts 14
Paul was truly a servant for the Lord. He choose to stand up for God and the teaching of the good news. In this chapter the people of Lystra tried to label Paul and Barnabas gods. They even called Barnabas Zeus( I was wondering if this is where the origination of the greek gods came from?), however, Paul would not allow them to worship or label him a god. He told them that he was only human just like them and he tried to make them understand that God was using him to deliver the good news, but they would not listen.

Application for today: Many times even when we are told the truth, we choose not to accept and do our own thing instead. As a result we cause ourselves a lot of grief and pain.

Acts 13

Today I want to comment on Acts 13. In particular, I would like to reflect on the reaction of the Jews when Paul and Barnabas came to speak to them. Acts 13:44 states that the Jews were jealous of Paul and began speaking abusively against what he is saying. Paul came to deliver the Good News to the Jews and when they chose not to accept it, he delivered it to the Gentiles. The Jews then becam jealous because he had so many people gathered around to hear what he was testifying.

In some ways we can be jealous just like the Jews were. Although someone may have good intentions for us, we get so overwhelmed with jealousy that we cannot see the "good news" that someone may have for us.

God help me not be jealous of any man. Instead help me to listen and be open to what he may have to say to me and recieve the knowledge that they may present. Amen.

2 Samuel

I have a question for anyone out there that can provide insight to me. As I read along with 2 Samuel, this book seems to mainly reference King David. I participated in a Bible Study class at church which gave us the story of the Old Testament.
I remember reading about David as one of the Figures in the Bible and the Era was the Kingdom Era...so is the book of 2 Samuel associated with the Kingdom era?

Also, the storyline was summarized for us which stated: "David, the greatetst King in the new monarcy is followed by a succession of mostly unrighteous kings, and God eventually judges Israel for her sin, sending her into exile."

Is this the same David in the book of 2 Samuel that they are referring to. Because David doesn't seem that "great" to me. There is a lot of wrong doing during his rule. If anyone can shed any light on this I would truly appreciate it.

Reflection on Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick tempered man displays folly.

This Proverb really hits home with me. This is something that I struggle with. I pray for patience almost everyday. It seems like I always want things done right now and right away. Sometimes I even act and speak prematurely about a situation. It's not until AFTERWARDS, that I realize that I acted tooo hastily or that I spoke too harshly. I want to learn to hold my tongue and be patient in the eyes of the Lord. I want to be able to be patient enough to let things come to me.

A lot of times I may speak on a subject or do something in haste and then later on when I reflect on it, I realize how silly I was. And then I really feel uncomfortable or embarrassed by my actions. So if I practice a little more patience in my actions and with my words, then I will have time to reflect before I act or speak. I am really going to take this proverbs to heart.

2Samuel 16-19

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