Day 44 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Micah 5

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

From Defeated Ruler to Conquering King

1 Now, daughter who is under attack,

you slash yourself in grief;

a siege is set against us!

They are striking the judge of Israel

on the cheek with a rod.

2 Bethlehem Ephrathah,

you are small among the clans of Judah;

One will come from you

to be ruler over Israel for Me.

His origin is from antiquity,

from eternity.

3 Therefore, He will abandon them until the time

when she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of His brothers will return

to the people of Israel.

4 He will stand and shepherd them

in the strength of Yahweh,

in the majestic name of Yahweh His God.

They will live securely,

for then His greatness will extend

to the ends of the earth.

5 He will be their peace.

When Assyria invades our land,

when it marches against our fortresses,

we will raise against it seven shepherds,

even eight leaders of men.

6 They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,

the land of Nimrod with a drawn blade.

So He will rescue us from Assyria

when it invades our land,

when it marches against our territory.

The Glorious and Purified Remnant

7 Then the remnant of Jacob

will be among many peoples

like dew from the Lord,

like showers on the grass,

which do not wait for anyone

or linger for mankind.

8 Then the remnant of Jacob

will be among the nations, among many peoples,

like a lion among animals of the forest,

like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

which tramples and tears as it passes through,

and there is no one to rescue them.

9 Your hand will be lifted up against your adversaries,

and all your enemies will be destroyed.

10 In that day—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

I will remove your horses from you

and wreck your chariots.

11 I will remove the cities of your land

and tear down all your fortresses.

12 I will remove sorceries from your hands,

and you will not have any more fortune-tellers.

13 I will remove your carved images

and sacred pillars from you

so that you will not bow down again

to the work of your hands.

14 I will pull up the Asherah poles from among you

and demolish your cities.

15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath

against the nations that have not obeyed Me.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day

Reflection:  As I read this prophecy in Micah, I am encouraged to know the town of our saviors birth was also mentioned in prophesy.  In pondering the rest of the prophesy I see where the Jewish people could be confused as to why Jesus didn't rule with a physical sword.  Yet I am also led to the statement Jesus made in Matthew 10:34 when he stated that he in fact did not come for peace, but that he came to bring the sword.  In light of that, I think in that case, prophesy fulfilled, end of story, the Assyrians spoke of were only physical representation of a spiritual enemy.  We are nearing the end of our journey, think about the spiritual aggression you face, and know that Jesus has come to rule and protect with His Sword (which is the Word of God our Bible) and that no weapon formed against you will prosper.   

Discussion Topic:  With only a week to go, how are you making Jesus, Lord and King of your everyday life?

Second Discussion Topic:  Do you think the 7 even 8 leaders of men in this prophesy are the 7 deacons plus Stephen ordained in Acts 6?

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Prayer:  Father in Heaven, Holy is Your name and worthy to be praised in Heaven and on Earth.  Thank You for revealing Your plan through the ministry of the prophets.  Thank you for showing us Your ways in the Truth of Your word.  Forgive us oh Lord, as we take our eyes off You, and teach us to forgive others the same. Thank you for ruling with a Spiritual Sword, and coming to bring true peace, that can only come from You.  We eagerly await Your return, King Jesus.  Amen. 

Acknowledgements: Text - BibleGateway.com, Artwork - http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/16362/O-Little-Town-Of-Bethlehem

Day 32 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Psalm 132

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

David and Zion Chosen

A song of ascents.

1 Lord, remember David

and all the hardships he endured,

2 and how he swore an oath to the Lord,

making a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

3 “I will not enter my house

or get into my bed,

4 I will not allow my eyes to sleep

or my eyelids to slumber

5 until I find a place for the Lord,

a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6 We heard of the ark in Ephrathah;

we found it in the fields of Jaar.

7 Let us go to His dwelling place;

let us worship at His footstool.

8 Rise up, Lord, come to Your resting place,

You and Your powerful ark.

9 May Your priests be clothed with righteousness,

and may Your godly people shout for joy.

10 Because of Your servant David,

do not reject Your anointed one.

11 The Lord swore an oath to David,

a promise He will not abandon:

“I will set one of your descendants

on your throne.

12 If your sons keep My covenant

and My decrees that I will teach them,

their sons will also sit on your throne forever.”

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;

He has desired it for His home:

14 “This is My resting place forever;

I will make My home here

because I have desired it.

15 I will abundantly bless its food;

I will satisfy its needy with bread.

16 I will clothe its priests with salvation,

and its godly people will shout for joy.

17 There I will make a horn grow for David;

I have prepared a lamp for My anointed one.

18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,

but the crown he wears will be glorious.”

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day

Reflection:  Todays reading comes from the back of the Psalms, whats known as the Psalms of ascent.  These Psalms were sung as the Israelite made their way to Jerusalem for the yearly festivals.  The people of Israel are constantly reminded that they will have a Son, to sit on David's throne.  That Son came, clothed in humility, born of a virgin, born into poverty.  That Son is Jesus.  King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

Discussion Topic:  How can we better tell the world that the King has come, and is sitting on the Throne, not only of Israel, but of the Universe.  

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Prayer:  Father in Heaven, thank you.  Thank you for giving us Your Son.  Christ the Messiah, to free us from our chains, to open our eyes, to heal our wounds.  You are the gift giver, and you gave us a Servant King.  We are forever grateful   Help us to keep our eyes on you and only you in this season of celebration.  In Jesus name, Amen! 

Acknowledgements: Text - BibleGateway.com, Artwork - David bringing Ark to Jerusalem: Bible Encyclopedia

50 day journey to Christ - Day 20

Daily Reading:

1 Samuel 16

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected a king from his sons.”

² Samuel asked, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!”

The Lord answered, “Take a young cow with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³ Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate to you.”

⁴ Samuel did what the Lord directed and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?”

⁵ “In peace,” he replied. “I’ve come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. ⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before Him.”

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”

⁸ Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either,” Samuel said. ⁹ Then Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either.” ¹⁰ After Jesse presented seven of his sons to him, Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord hasn’t chosen any of these.” ¹¹ Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send for him. We won’t sit down to eat until he gets here.” ¹² So Jesse sent for him. He had beautiful eyes and a healthy, handsome appearance.

Then the Lord said, “Anoint him, for he is the one.” ¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord took control of David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

¹⁴ Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the Lord began to torment him, ¹⁵ so Saul’s servants said to him, “You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. ¹⁶ Let our lord command your servants here in your presence to look for someone who knows how to play the lyre. Whenever the evil spirit from God troubles you, that person can play the lyre, and you will feel better.”

¹⁷ Then Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

¹⁸ One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the Lord is with him.”

¹⁹ Then Saul dispatched messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” ²⁰ So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat and sent them by his son David to Saul. ²¹ When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul admired him greatly, and David became his armor-bearer. ²² Then Saul sent word to Jesse: “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” ²³ Whenever the spirit from God troubled Saul, David would pick up his lyre and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Key:  Purple - Words of God, Bold - Verse of the Day

Daily Reflection:  Todays reading leads us through 2 stories.  The first story, one of a young man, annointed as the future king of Israel, the other of a the beginning of the end of the current king.  David was the youngest of the house of Jesse, a great grandson on Boaz and Ruth.  Annoited with oil, sealed with the Spirit of the Lord.  When the spirit of the Lord was with David it left King Saul and he was tourmented.  Saul sought relief from his agony, through the playings of the lyre, the stringings of the will be king David.   

Discussion Topic: Saul used music to ease his nerves during times of spiritual torment.  Can you identify a time when you sought music out to help ease your mind or relax you?  Is it possible to be that music in someone elses life?  

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Prayer:  Father in Heaven, you are Holy, Holy, Holy.  We enter your gates with thanksgiving in my heart, and into your courts with praise.  Better is one day of service to you, than a thousand elsewhere.  Lord reveal in us opportunities to serve those around us who may be turning to things to ease there torment.  Forgive us for judging the sins of others, as we also learn to forgive those who sin against us.  Lead us away from evil and protect us as we confront torment. for Your Kingdom, in Your Power and because of Your Glory, Amen.  

Acknowledgments:  Text - BibleGateway.com HSCB, Image - Artist Unknown, Image Website - http://www.finaltrump.com/2009/03/the-three-anointings-of-david/