Jul 29

  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution Real Dedication!
    Things are not good for David. He is moving out of Jerusalem to prevent it from being destroyed in what appears to be developing into a fight. A servant named Ittai is with him, brought into Jerusalem as a guest, a foreigner in exile. David requests he return and stay in Jerusalem. There was no need for him to wander with the rest of them. Ittai responds by saying in essence, "Wherever you go, I will go. Even if it means death, I am with you." When God leads in my life, when He… Read more »

Jul 26

  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution The Prophet and a King!
    Narrative stories in the Old Testament, can easily be reread at many spots by adding your own name in. Today, in 2 Samuel 12, Nathan confronts David. The scary part is that when I read it, this is how it sounded in my head. "Then Nathan said to Stan. Why have you done this awful thing? Why have you turned your back on your God? Why have you found it so difficult to do as He says? Although God has forgiven you, God will take away your son." I have not sinned in the manner that D… Read more »

Jul 21

  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution Commands!
    There was a time when the people of Israel had no structure. There was no law for them to follow, they just followed God and wandered in the wilderness. As time progressed, God gave to Moses a very special piece of "literature." God spoke what we call the 10 Commandments to Moses. As they were written, they were two main principles on God's mind; love God and love people. The first four commands deal with our relationship to God and the last six deal with our relationship to… Read more »
  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution Depressing!
    So far I have read through the first 11 chapters of Jeremiah, along with many of you. I feel as though this book is a real downer of a book. I'm excited for the ending. I hope it gets better. I think I'll do some deeper research on this book when I'm done. Does anyone have any thoughts or feelings about their readings through Jeremiah? Should I be more excited than I am? Who is the eternal optimist who has found something worth celebrating in the first 11 chapters of Jeremi… Read more »

Jul 20

Jul 17

  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution America!
    In context, these verses have nothing to do with the United States. Are you an American? Were you born in the United States of America? Alright, then consider your nation. Look around. Take a peek at the statistics. Then reread these verses. Then look at America. Then reread these verses. Then look at America. It will be hard to convince me that we couldn't apply them to us today. There is much work to be done. Where are the prophets? Where are those who stand for truth… Read more »

Jul 16

  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution I want to see Jesus this clearly!
    There has just been a lot of good reading today on YouVersion. This section of Scripture I am so intrigued by. Second to the post-resurrection appearances, this has to be a time when the disciples see Jesus the most clearly. This has to be a chance for them to see Him for who He really is. When some of the greatest prophets of their entire faith appear, Elijah and Moses, next to Jesus, enveloped by a bright white cloud and Jesus starts shining like the sun (and they didn't have any Oakl… Read more »
  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution I'm Depressed!
    I will need to break down the book of Jeremiah more. I would like to see it in its entirety, rather than one chapter at a time. I have read one chapter per day. And I've got to admit, it depresses me like no other book in the Bible. I'm thinking a modern lesson series on Jeremiah might be a good way to break it down. Read more »
  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution Brief Question!
    As I have read through 1 Samuel, it seems that there is a constant back and forth between Saul and David. Almost every chapter uses their names. Generally, when they were both mentioned, Saul was attempting to kill David. There are two opportunities that present themselves to David. These two opportunities would have given him the perfect chance to kill Saul and relieve himself of the stress. Yet on each occasion David refuses because Saul was the Lord's anointed. Now here we are in t… Read more »

Jul 14

  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution Another Feast!
    I don't understand. Matthew 14 records Jesus miraculously feeding 5,000 men, plus women and children. The disciples even cleaned up afterward. And now, just one chapter later, they are doubting that Jesus can feed less people with more food to start with. Why aren't they jumping up and down in excitement? Why are they proud to Jesus their Master do this again? How come they aren't encouraging Jesus to do it? They know He can. I don't get it. But maybe I'm the sa… Read more »

Jul 10

  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution Wow!
    Picture this - "This is what the Lord says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place? My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord , have spoken!" This is simply an incredible image and picture of God. Sometimes we think we're pretty might and can do almost anything. We begin to think we are invincible and that no one can stop… Read more »

Jul 9

  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution An Honest Prayer!
    I'm sorry God. I'm sorry for assuming something about You. I have so often assumed the worst of You. I have assumed that You left me. I assumed that You left me to flounder. To wander. To drown. To suffer. I assume the worst of You and I'm sorry. And as I blamed You, You stretched out Your arms to me. Like a father reaching out to a child running to him, You reach for me. When I hurt, I blamed You. Yet You still reach to me. You are holy. You are waiting for me. It… Read more »

Jul 7

  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution Fever!
    When I get a fever, I lay in bed under some blankets and rest. I generally sleep for a day or so. At the end of that time the fever goes away and I'm better. However, a fever in the days of Jesus required a miracle of God to save a life from a fever. Why is that? When my fever goes away, is it a miracle of God? Was the fever in biblical times different than it is now? ps. for those of you who don't know me, I'm not being sacrilegious. I'm just asking the questions tha… Read more »
  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution What?
    Why is their an idol in David's house (v. 13)? Wait a minute (v. 17). Didn't Michal just help David escape for love? And wasn't she the one hiding idols in his bed to protect him? Didn't that message get back to Saul or was she daddy's favorite and he overlooked it? And why in the world are people prophesying naked (v. 24)? Read more »

Jul 3

  • hskrzfan34
    hskrzfan34 added a text contribution My Church!
    I am a pastor at a church. I want my church to grow. I want my church to impact our community. I want to lead my people to greater realms of spiritual growth. I want to make an impact on the world. I want people to see my church and say, "Man, he sure has that church on the move." Then I read 1 Samuel 15 today. From my ecclesiological perspective, the church is the Kingdom of God. Now whether you take that stance or not is a topic for another day. As I read this chapter some very inte… Read more »

Jun 30