One Year Bible, July 8

1 CHRONICLES 5:18 - 6:81                                                                                             
THE TWO-AND-A-HALF TRIBES OF TRANS-JORDAN:They settled OUTSIDE the land, east of the Jordan River, and so they were the first to be carried away captive by the Assyrians. They were dispersed and are not identifiable today. Those who stay on the periphery of the Kingdom will get picked off first!  We all know that.

TRIBE OF LEVI:  This line of priests unto the Lord (which we are) shows that we are chosen for a PURPOSE.  There were those who were "set over the service of song in the house of the Lord".   There were those who "ministered with their sons according to their order."  Those who were "appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle."  Aaron and his descendants "offered upon the altar of the burnt offering and altar of incense, and all the work of the most holy place."

RESPONSE:   God had a purpose for each one of us BEFORE we were made, were saved, and were called. He knew how He would use us before He made us! That means that we were created genetically optimal to fulfill our purpose and assignments.

ACTS 26:1-32                                                                                                                       
"I THINK MYSELF HAPPY"......:   Paul believed he was being judged "for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers.....hope to come."   "THAT GOD SHOULD RAISE THE DEAD."

OUR MISSION STATEMENT: OUR PURPOSE: "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me."  To be "minister (servant) and a witness".

PAUL'S TRIP TO ROME:   Paul would have been set free by King Agrippa if he hadn't appealed to Caesar - so now he finally gets to have his heart's desire: the opportunity to preach in Rome!

RESPONSE:   You would have thought people would be happy to hear about the resurrection; about life after death. But no! If there is a resurrection, then there is a JUDGMENT. If there is a judgment, there we are accountable for our actions. On the other hand, that means there are also rewards.

PSALM 6:1-10                                                                                                                      
This is a Psalm for one who is weak from hurting or pain, and is yearning for spiritual renewal.

PROVERBS 18:20-21                                                                                                        
EAT YOUR WORDS: Our quality of life is directly connected to our tongue.  Proverbs connected "wisdom" with quality of "LIFE", and now it connects our "speech" with "LIFE" (or death).   No matter what, we will all reap a HARVEST from the words that we speak.   Whatever we HABITUALLY talk about, will come back to us - only it will be multiplied.   We can know how you talk, by what you are reaping.  

RESPONSE:   I used to be so negative!   I used to tell people that "behind every silver lining, there is a cloud!"  I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop, and I talked like it.   I EXPECTED trouble and sorrow, and I got it.  That's because no one wants to be around someone like that, except other people who are like that!   Complainers tend to stick together.   Whiners pal around.   Gossips attract one another.   YOU CAN TURN IT AROUND! Romans 12:21 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."   In other words, don't worry about breaking a bad habit, but begin a GOOD habit to take its place.   What replaces whining and complaining and negativism?   THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE!   Begin with God: thank Him for His goodness and greatness.   Also do this with people - someone EVERY hour of the day.   What you are doing is building new "muscle memory" in your brain for looking at the positive and for trusting God for outcomes.   Every time you give thanks, you are reinforcing that brain-pathway and making it a habit.   You are not FAKING it, you are PRACTICING.