Non Gamstop Casinos
August 12

Reading 1 - 1Kings 7

Click here to Listen
v.8-10 - It seems that Solomon, having asked for wisdom, already does not seem to be applying it. We have to conclude from this and from his other writings that his wisdom was something that he learned gradually as his life progressed, and he learned it as a direct result of the experiences God gave him. If we pray for wisdom, we should expect the same type of answer - i.e. that we should be given experiences from which we can learn first hand of the futility of anything that is not of God. Eccles.1:14-18
Peter Cresswell
Were it not for the assurance we are given in Neh.13:26, we might well wonder if the is man loved God in the way that he claimed. Many folk have a problem with Solomon and his advice and the things which he did. The problem really is one of our own human nature. First we are jealous, and second we are disinclined to learn from the mistakes of others. The acts of Solomon took place, he tells us so often, that he might exposed the vanity of it all.
Peter Cresswell
6:38 / 7:1 There is a contrast here. Whilst the temple took 7 years to build Solomon's house took 13 years. How do we think about this? Do we think that Solomon rushed building the temple? Or do we think that he was concerned that his own house was so special he took a long time to build it?

How we think on this matter might indicate whether we are judgemental of individuals or willing to ascribe good motives to the actions of others.
Peter Forbes

There is a difference between the way in which Solomon prepared the stones for his house and the temple. He 'sawed' (1 Kings 7:9) the stones for his house whilst he used 'hammer and axe' (2 Kings 6:7) on the stones for the temple. Why?

There is a practical reason. Sawn stones are more porous that hewn stone. However there is a greater spiritual significance. Hewn stone take longer to prepare - marking the point that our God is willing to work on our characters to produce stones for His living temple.
Peter Forbes

SECURITY AND STABILITY

One of the needs people would put at the top of their list for having a fulfilling life would be security and stability. Security and stability can span almost any area of the life we live. It could be our job, our health, our financial situation, our relationships, our homes or the physical security of being able to walk down the road without being attacked.

We spend time and money - lots of it - in trying to achieve security and stability. We install alarms, work harder, invest, take out insurance's and are cautious in building relationships, but there is really only one place we can find the security and stability we crave. It was found in Solomon's temple. Outside the doors of the temple were two pillars, and, in an unusual move, Solomon named them. Jakin and Boaz. Jakin means "He establishes," and Boaz means, "In his is strength" - security and stability. Between the pillars, through the doors, was the house of God.

The only place we can be established and have strength - security and stability - is with the LORD our God. Let's not let ourselves be short changed, but make the LORD our God our one stop shop as we search for security and stability.
Robert Prins

Reading 2 - Jeremiah 33

Click here to Listen
v.1 - We are reminded that working for God is not a bed of roses. Jeremiah, in his ministry in God's name, suffered constantly at the hands of those around him. ch.37:21, 38:28 both refer to prison sentences that Jeremiah served as a direct result of doing God's work. We do well to remember this and expect the same treatment if God is preparing us for life in his kingdom. 2Tim.2:9
Peter Cresswell
v.7-9 must have been great words for Jeremiah to hear in his desperate state shut up as he was in the prison, where he spent so much of the latter part of his life.
Peter Cresswell
33:17 Whilst Jeremiah spoke of the demise of the king on the throne of David (Chapter 22) Jeremiah now speaks of the throne of David in very positive tones. He is clearly talking about the reign of Messiah.
Peter Forbes
:1 Jeremiah is now in prison - whilst the king doubtless looked upon this as a punishment it was probably the safest place for him to be at this time. He was preaching what many would see as treason so doubtless his life was at risk. The prison was God's provision for his safety. We should realise that our God cares for us in ways which we might not expect!
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - Mark 7

Click here to Listen

v.6 - The actual prophecy is in Isa 29:13. Although this is aimed at the Jews, it is clearly a warning to us too. Let us be sure not to be bound by tradition to such an extent that it blinkers us to the real outworking of the truth in our lives.

v. 7,8 - It is clearly not the action, but the perception of the importance of the action that is being emphasised. Tradition must be kept in its place. Here is an example from our tradition - which do we consider more important - the symbology of the bread on the plate, or the fact that the plate itself is made of silver? It seems we are often in danger of losing sight of what really matters because human nature likes ritual and tradition. Here Jesus is telling us to keep all things in perspective. Eze.33:31, Luke 11:39-44, John 8:41-42.
Peter Cresswell
:6-7 The way in which the 'people' were vain in their worship because they had replaced the things God required by their own traditions should serve as a powerful warning to us.

We must ask ourselves, with respect to all the procedures that we adopt in our lives, whether they accord with what Scripture teaches or whether the procedures are designed to enable us to avoid thinking about the will of our Father and how it should be implemented in our daily and ecclesial lives.
Peter Forbes

The healing of the deaf man fulfils Isaiah 35

Deaf
Isaiah 35:5
Ephphatha
Isaiah 35:5 'unstopped'
he spake plain
Isaiah 35:6

The nation will be brought from darkness and this future deliverance was seen in the healing of the blind man.
Peter Forbes