One Year Bible, July 31

2 CHRONICLES 29:1-36                                                                                                
RESTORATION AND REFORMATION: On the first day, of the first month, in the first year that Hezekiah reigned, he began his reformation by opening the church for access to God. With prayer and dedication, the ministry of the Holy Spirit was restored (lamps). They sanctified themselves. They destroyed uncleanness, tossing it into the Kidron (see previously blogs). Atonement by blood sacrifice was made. And while they worshipped, sang and sounded trumpets, the sacrifices and thank offerings continued.

RESPONSE:   I can't help but notice that restoration and reformation includes OFFERINGS. When we DON'T make offerings, we are documenting our ingratitude and independence. We don't give in order to get right with God. We give out of gratitude and obedience BECAUSE WE ARE RIGHT WITH GOD.

ROMANS 14:1-23                                                                                                                 
CHRISTIANS' ACCOUNTABILITY TO IMMATURE CHRISTIANS: Don't ever make an issue over non-essentials! Never criticize someone who is either ignorant or immature in the faith. Our hearts are established by grace, not by what we do or don't do (Heb 13:9). The real issue over eating meat was that the meat sold in the market was offered up to devils and prayed over before it was sold. There was NOTHING INHERENTLY WRONG with the meat itself unless it was deemed so by the eater. Meat-eating is non-essential to the doctrine of faith. Whatever we do, we must do it unto the Lord and so as not to bring disunity. Our actions and our words must bring redemption and resurrection life, because we are left in the earth to effect others like leaven. We must never cause an immature or weak brother to stumble, because we are all part of One Body. So we ask ourselves, do our actions edify or tear down? Will this harm my testimony? Will this help me to serve God better? Will this activity exert power over my flesh and compete with the Spirit? The deed becomes impure if it bothers your conscience or if you do it to prove your point and it makes a brother stumble. If you are just trying to prove your point, then the Bible says to KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!!!  When your behavior is PERCEIVED as wrong, it is YOUR PROBLEM and requires repentance (Rom 15:16; 1 Thess 5:22).  Whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is SIN.

WHAT IF PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS CRITICIZING ME?
(1) (Gal 6:8) You have been sowing to the flesh.
(2) (Mat 6) You have been judging others.
(3) (Luke 6:36-38) You haven't been showing mercy to others.
(4) (Mat 18:21ff) You have unforgiveness against someone.

RESPONSE:   Real freedom comes because of our submission and obedience.  We aren't free to serve ourselves or our flesh.  That's the worst kind of bondage there is according to Romans chapter 7.   Our freedom is FROM the flesh, FROM sin, and FROM external law (as long as there is an internal work).   It is flesh and sin that makes a thing "unclean".   Be careful about judging another person's activities without checking with God first.   The problem with Pharisees is that not only do they judge our behavior, but they judge it according to THEIR standards!  Don't you do that.

PSALM 24:1-10                                                                                                                     
"The earth is the Lord's..."   It never was the devil's.   He is a usurper. Who may come into God's Presence?  "True worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23)  The description given in Psalm 24 is of one who has embraced TRUTH, and has purged himself of doublemindedness.   The term, "Lord of hosts" refers to the head of a heavenly army, armed for war.   That term is used over 273 times in the Bible.   These armies of heaven are not there to come to our aid, but are there to execute the plan of God. We intersect with them as we obey and follow God's plan.

PROVERBS 20:12                                                                                                              
Many have ears that don't hear, and eyes that don't see. When we are born again of the Spirit, God opens our ears and eyes so we can function in the spirit.

RESPONSE:   Notice v.5: "The blessing" - not blessingS.  And "the blessing"  is "righteousness".  This blessing of righteousness is what opens the way for us to dwell in the Presence of God.