16But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.
How easily we forget the One who truly wins the battles.
13No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
8But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down.” -ellie
A sermon by Pastor John MacArthur helped me to understand the parable of the shrewd manager. May we, who know also our eternal end and what is to come, deal shrewdly and wisely with what we’ve been given.
13No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
It should be starting you in genesis. I’m not sure what it’s telling you today’s reading is. For me, I started January 1 so my reading today is in 2 Chronicles and Luke. But if you are just starting now your reading should be in Day 1, Genesis
Hey Clara, if you’re wanting to start back in Genesis you’ll have to move the dates back to January and go from there. The readings are set up for each day of the year.
They have it set up so that there’s a bit of Old Testament and New Testament for each day, and then Wednesdays are Psalms.
This OT passage led me to think about Isaiah’s call in Isaiah 6, starting off, “In the year King Uzziah died…”. No wonder Isaiah had such a fear & reverence for the presence of the Lord! Uzziah had gone in arrogantly and the Lord struck him with a severe skin disease. So, for Isaiah to say, “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts…” His humility brought an incredible call and ministry, as he says, “Here I am. Send me.” Oh may I walk in humility before our holy God.
Yes I’m reading ahead a little. Someone’s previous post pointed out this lesson is the halfway mark. The more I read the more I want to read! Thank you God for bringing me to your Word again!!
With this being the old testament I’m a little confused on the people, and the way hell is conveyed. and why is Abraham in hell? why wouldn’t it be Satan?
This is my first day with this app and this plan. This was very interesting. I’ve never read the bible like this. Sometimes I don’t like to believe that Hell exists but it does. Dear Lord, keep me on my path to Heaven
This pattern with Judah’s kings – starting strong and finishing weak.It’s a challenge to me that I always need to remember how prone I am to sin, even during the times I’m standing on spiritual mountains.
Amaziah went into battle at the Lord’s direction and power, and the won the victory. And then he literally comes home from victory that God gave him and sets up the defeated’s Gods and worships them. What the ….? But how often does something go well in our lives and in that space of victory we indulge in the pleasures of victory instead of giving God the glory?
Hello everyone! I’m Beverly Ukegbu and I have began my journey in following Christ and being a true woman of God and also being a Virtuous woman. I truly have love for God. And as the world becomes darker everyday I pray that women like us can bring radiant light to the world. One candle can lighten a whole room and that’s us! Praise be to GOD!
I remember my grandmother telling me the story of the rich man and Lazarus. How hot hell would be and she always encouraged me to seek the Lord. I’m so thankful and blessed to have such a godly person in my life to help guide me :) I believe she’s my secret angel in disguise !
Today I’m 50% through the bible. As someone who has been lost for so long and returning to faith only last year, this feels amazing. God is doing such great things in my heart and although I stumble and fall and I’m sure will continue to make a mess of it all. I am here and I am learning and growing in faith. Thank you my ever forgiving ever loving God!
Good question. I always think of shrewd as more sneaky than smart, and this guy certainly seems to be that, but I think it was more that he was being resourceful. Certainly not because he did it dishonestly, as being dishonest is not in God’s character. The dictionary definition of shrewd is “having an ability to understand things and to make good judgements.” So obviously this guy didn’t make good judgements in that he was dishonest to his master. But I think wants us to use our brains and think things through. So that we can be builders for His Kingdom. This guy did that in order to ensure he had some provision. (Because he would have been owed a favor from those men since he forgave a portion of their debt.)
Absolutely! I agree! I think He is speaking more to the attitude and this man’s motivation as well. He was so motivated to provide for himself and so motivated to get what he wanted that he accomplished his goal. In the same way, we should be so passionate about reaching people for God and so motivated to live for the Kingdom that we are thinking of fresh ways to influence and fresh vision for ourselves and others.
8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. I’m a little confused. Does that mean we should be shrewd? What does it mean to make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings? Are we supposed to be shrewd?
It is really disturbing and sad that even in hell the rich man still looks upon Lazarus with disdain even though he is looking up to see him. He asks Abraham to send Lazarus to serve him . Hell doesn’t help him see his sin or cleanse him of his not being able to see the log in his own eye . He is separated from God and does not have His love that could have renewed his heart . I pray that God would be continually be renewing all of our hearts day by day so that we can see our brothers and sisters and neighbors as better than ourselves and love them instead of ultimately desiring to receive love and attention from them.
I wonder if those in Hell are able to view Heaven even after Jesus’ resurrection? I know that it cites this passage as Abraham’s Bosom, which I have always been taught was the pre-resurrection afterlife dwelling for followers of God until Jesus rose again.
Interesting to ponder… Ultimately Rev 20 says Death & Hades get thrown into the Lake of Fire. But I’m wondering if Heaven is visible from there bc certainly it would add to their sense of torment & wrath. God, help us to love others to share Your message. Bring our families and friends to repentance so they won’t experience hell. Help us share the gospel of truth. Send me.
I’m ten days behind but have been following with you guys all year! Keep going!
im just starting and its my first day ive tried to read the bible in a year before and gave up so this time im gonna try and do it
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16But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.
How easily we forget the One who truly wins the battles.
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Thank you Lord for your word.
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13No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
I love how Jesus spoke in parables as an accesible yet not completely straightforward way to bring answers to everyone
8But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down.” -ellie
A sermon by Pastor John MacArthur helped me to understand the parable of the shrewd manager. May we, who know also our eternal end and what is to come, deal shrewdly and wisely with what we’ve been given.
2. Chronicles 25:2. He did what was right in the sight of God but not wholeheartedly.
Underlined and highlighted this as well! But even with his half-hearted righteousness the Lord sought him out until his death.
13No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
I highlighted that too!
2 Chronicles 25:4 – What then are Black men, women, and children being slain and abused for daily–the assumption of worth based on slavery?
I am new to she reads truth and i purchased the Bible in a year plan. Are the today’s reading mean that it is the gospel for that day?
It should be starting you in genesis. I’m not sure what it’s telling you today’s reading is. For me, I started January 1 so my reading today is in 2 Chronicles and Luke. But if you are just starting now your reading should be in Day 1, Genesis
Hey Clara, if you’re wanting to start back in Genesis you’ll have to move the dates back to January and go from there. The readings are set up for each day of the year.
They have it set up so that there’s a bit of Old Testament and New Testament for each day, and then Wednesdays are Psalms.
This OT passage led me to think about Isaiah’s call in Isaiah 6, starting off, “In the year King Uzziah died…”. No wonder Isaiah had such a fear & reverence for the presence of the Lord! Uzziah had gone in arrogantly and the Lord struck him with a severe skin disease. So, for Isaiah to say, “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts…” His humility brought an incredible call and ministry, as he says, “Here I am. Send me.” Oh may I walk in humility before our holy God.
Yes I’m reading ahead a little. Someone’s previous post pointed out this lesson is the halfway mark. The more I read the more I want to read! Thank you God for bringing me to your Word again!!
Same here!!
This idea of whole-hearted ness and King Amaziah promoted a blog post: http://www.stealingfaith.com/2017/01/20/yet-not-with-a-whole-heart/
With this being the old testament I’m a little confused on the people, and the way hell is conveyed. and why is Abraham in hell? why wouldn’t it be Satan?
Abraham wasn’t it hell actually, the rich man looked up to heaven where Abraham and Lazarus was.
Hope this helps!
This is my first day with this app and this plan. This was very interesting. I’ve never read the bible like this. Sometimes I don’t like to believe that Hell exists but it does. Dear Lord, keep me on my path to Heaven
when i first started using this app i felt the same same way. it has really opened my views and understanding of God and his word.
This pattern with Judah’s kings – starting strong and finishing weak.It’s a challenge to me that I always need to remember how prone I am to sin, even during the times I’m standing on spiritual mountains.
Amaziah went into battle at the Lord’s direction and power, and the won the victory. And then he literally comes home from victory that God gave him and sets up the defeated’s Gods and worships them. What the ….? But how often does something go well in our lives and in that space of victory we indulge in the pleasures of victory instead of giving God the glory?
Yes I do see that and I need to work on that as well
Hello everyone! I’m Beverly Ukegbu and I have began my journey in following Christ and being a true woman of God and also being a Virtuous woman. I truly have love for God. And as the world becomes darker everyday I pray that women like us can bring radiant light to the world. One candle can lighten a whole room and that’s us! Praise be to GOD!
Amen Beverly!
great message!
Glad you’re here, Clare.
You can’t serve two masters…
Such conviction to remember to pray for the lost!!!!
I remember my grandmother telling me the story of the rich man and Lazarus. How hot hell would be and she always encouraged me to seek the Lord. I’m so thankful and blessed to have such a godly person in my life to help guide me :) I believe she’s my secret angel in disguise !
Today I’m 50% through the bible. As someone who has been lost for so long and returning to faith only last year, this feels amazing. God is doing such great things in my heart and although I stumble and fall and I’m sure will continue to make a mess of it all. I am here and I am learning and growing in faith. Thank you my ever forgiving ever loving God!
Clare your post lifts my heart too! We aren’t perfect but God’s love never fails!
Blessings to you, sweet Clare!
Welcome back Clare! He who began a good work in you (in us) will bring it to completion! He doesn’t give up in His children!
So awesome! Praise God!
That’s awesome Clare! So proud of you!!
So happy for you Clare! I hope that your journey with the Lord continues! God bless!
Good question. I always think of shrewd as more sneaky than smart, and this guy certainly seems to be that, but I think it was more that he was being resourceful. Certainly not because he did it dishonestly, as being dishonest is not in God’s character. The dictionary definition of shrewd is “having an ability to understand things and to make good judgements.” So obviously this guy didn’t make good judgements in that he was dishonest to his master. But I think wants us to use our brains and think things through. So that we can be builders for His Kingdom. This guy did that in order to ensure he had some provision. (Because he would have been owed a favor from those men since he forgave a portion of their debt.)
Absolutely! I agree! I think He is speaking more to the attitude and this man’s motivation as well. He was so motivated to provide for himself and so motivated to get what he wanted that he accomplished his goal. In the same way, we should be so passionate about reaching people for God and so motivated to live for the Kingdom that we are thinking of fresh ways to influence and fresh vision for ourselves and others.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts!
8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. I’m a little confused. Does that mean we should be shrewd? What does it mean to make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings? Are we supposed to be shrewd?
No clue… Someone help clarify!
Interesting that Strongs concordance translates “shrewd” as wisely and that this generation is wise/ thoughtful
It is really disturbing and sad that even in hell the rich man still looks upon Lazarus with disdain even though he is looking up to see him. He asks Abraham to send Lazarus to serve him . Hell doesn’t help him see his sin or cleanse him of his not being able to see the log in his own eye . He is separated from God and does not have His love that could have renewed his heart . I pray that God would be continually be renewing all of our hearts day by day so that we can see our brothers and sisters and neighbors as better than ourselves and love them instead of ultimately desiring to receive love and attention from them.
The kind of love we should be asking of God to bless us with from Himself.
I wonder if those in Hell are able to view Heaven even after Jesus’ resurrection? I know that it cites this passage as Abraham’s Bosom, which I have always been taught was the pre-resurrection afterlife dwelling for followers of God until Jesus rose again.
Interesting to ponder… Ultimately Rev 20 says Death & Hades get thrown into the Lake of Fire. But I’m wondering if Heaven is visible from there bc certainly it would add to their sense of torment & wrath. God, help us to love others to share Your message. Bring our families and friends to repentance so they won’t experience hell. Help us share the gospel of truth. Send me.