One of Satan's Schemes

Day 253

OT Reading: Proverbs 17-18

NT Reading: 2 Corinthians 2

In the New Testament portion of our reading today, the apostle Paul - writing to the Corinthians - makes this curious statement in 2 Corinthians 2:11, "In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." (NIV)

The reason I find this curious is because of the situation Paul is referencing. Paul, in the verse prior, takes time to say that he has forgiven them...SO THAT Satan will not succeed by outwitting them. When I think of Satan's schemes I think of deceit and putting trying people in my way, and tempting me with lust or envy...but for some reason the concept mentioned here by Paul had just never come to mind. That Satan would work in such a way to try to keep you from forgiving someone else.

Perhaps this is a 'well duh' sort of thought to you. And, to me it is not earth-shattering. However it is a new twist or a different light shed on a common idea.

***By the way, if you'd like to look into this concept of spiritual warfare, at CCJ we just finished an elective by Craig Groeschel from Lifechurch.tv called Supernatural. I recommend you check it out!

Psalm 119

Day 234

OT Reading: Psalm 119:49-104

NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 4

As you may know, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the entire Bible. But that is not the only reason it is unique. In fact, it is quite likely that you noticed odd subtitles appearing consistently as you have read along. Subtitles like: Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, etc. These are not misprints or names of people. What you are actually seeing are the letters in the Hebrew alphabet (spelled out in English).

You see, Psalm 119 is actually an acrostic in Hebrew. The psalmist takes a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, begins eight lines with that letter and then moves on to the next. In the English alphabet that would be like writing the first eight lines of a poem using the letter A, the next eight with B, then eight with C and so forth.

But even within that complex of a poetic structure, the entire Psalm is written around one idea: God's law. The psalmist speaks about how wisdom is derived from God's law. He tells others how God's law is a delight to him. And he promises others that only ruin will come if you try to deny. 176 verse...all about the law.

If I do say so...that's pretty impressive.

So as you read along, pay attention to how the psalmist treats God's law...especially insofar as it differs from your reaction to it.

Missing the Point

Day 233
OT Reading: Psalms 119:1-48
NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 3

There is quite a bit to say about Psalms 119...and rightly so since it is the longest chapter in all of Scripture. But I'm going to save that for one of the next two days (see...I'm setting myself up to try and get back to blogging regularly :-) ). But as for today, 1 Corinthians 3 provides a great opportunity for conversation, so let's take a look there.

Based on the two letters we have to the Corinthians (it appears Paul wrote at least one, perhaps two others which have since been lost to us) we can understand quite a bit about what was taking place there. However to sum things up...they gave us every example of what a church should not do.

Take today's reading for example. Based on what we see here (coupled with what we read back in chapter one), it seems there were a lot of divisions in the church. And in chapter three, the subject matter has to do with, "Who's your favorite preacher?"

Some people claimed they were followers of Paul. Others claimed to follow Peter. Some said they were followers of Apollos (another preacher we met back in Acts) and others proudly said, "I follow Christ." The people of Corinth began picking sides and apparently were claiming some were greater or more holy than others based on the guy they followed.

And as Paul responds he lays it out very simply. The Corinthians had missed the point.

Paul tells the Corinthians, "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe..." (1 Corinthians 3:5a, NIV) Paul tells the Corinthians that the point lies in that they have been saved by the grace of Jesus. None of their preferences redeemed them. None of these preferred leaders paid for their salvation...they were all servants of Christ. All that they had spent time arguing about was secondary.

At this point it would be easy for us to sit back and berate the Corinthians for their ridiculousness of putting personal preferences in front of the message of Christ. But as you look around, honestly, how often do you see this take place in the 21st century?

I recently was having a conversation with a man I'll call Dave. Dave recounted a discussion he had with another local church leader a couple years prior. At the time of the conversation Dave had recently begun coming to our church, having left the church in which this other leader served. In the midst of the discussion the church leader proclaimed, "Sure you can get to heaven either way. But would you rather take a Ugo or a Cadillac?" Like the Corinthians...I'm afraid this church leader was missing the point.

Because regardless of whether your preacher's name is Billy Graham or Jim Bob Smith, that's not the point. Regardless of whether your church has been around for 200 years or two days, that's not the point. Regardless of whether you were baptized in a church or a pond, prefer a pipe organ or an electric guitar, worship with dirges or hip-hop...none of that is the point.

The point, my friends, is Jesus.

If we don't get that...then we've totally missed the point.

Quick Hits

Day 232

OT Reading: Psalm 116-118

NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 2

In an effort to try to get my mind back into the habit of writing (in this case, blogging), allow me to offer a few "quick hits" about today's reading:

* Today you read the shortest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 117. In fact, I'm betting if you put your mind to it, you could memorize that entire chapter in no time (and do not give me any, "I'm not someone who can memorize" excuse).

* If you were reading the Bible front to back (as opposed to the OT/NT combination we're doing), Psalm 118 would mark the halfway point of your journey.

* Again, having not researched it at all, I really don't get Psalm 116:10, "I believed; therefore I said, 'I am greatly afflicted.'" I suppose if I took the time to do some research it may make sense. But just at first glance...huh?

* Tomorrow you will begin to read the longest chapter in the entire Bible, Psalm 119.

So there we go. Hopefully this can help get me back into the swing of things :-).