By Mike Peek

What does it say? Chapter 3 lists David’s children, then goes through the royal line of David from Solomon of Bathsheba. The second half of the the chapter lists the known postexilic descendants of David. “Most of these individuals are unknown outside of this list. Exceptions are Zerubbabel, of whom considerably more is known and Hattush (v. 22)  who is known only as one who returned with Ezra (Ezra 8:2).”  (IVP BBC OT)  Chapters 4 and 5 list the descendants of Asher, Simeon and Reuben. Chapter 5 begins with a statement about birth rite and defilement and explaining who had the birth rite. Reuben had defiled the bed of Jacob; therefore, Jacob gave the birth rite of the first son to the first born of his second wife Rachel. Then the text speaks of how the tribe of Judah (meaning the Davidic royal line) prevailed over Joseph’s line but acknowledges that the birth rite of the first son was given to Joseph.  What does it mean? These genealogies can be difficult to unders...

What does it say? Chapter 1 traces genealogy from Adam to Noah. Then from Noah to the people of Canaan and the non-Israelite descendants of Abraham. Then chapter 2 traces the genealogy of the twelve tribes of Israel, beginning with the genealogy to David and then diverts to the genealogy of the descendants of Caleb.  What does it mean? Chronicles depicts the pre-exilic period but was written for the people of the post-exilic period. Genealogy was very important to these people because of rights to the land. The land had been divided up among the tribes of Israel, and within tribes among families. For those returning to the land of Canaan in the post-exilic period, if one could trace his genealogy to a particular person of the pre-exilic period then he had the rights to that families land. As well as the right of an Israelite to worship the Lord the God of Israel ceremonially in the Temple. What Shall I do? Should I trace my family line so that I may no my rights to a particular pie...

What does it say? Josiah, king of Judah, when the Law of the Lord was found he made many changes in the land of Judah but this did not result in salvation from the wrath of God for the sins of Israel and Judah for the Lord had set a date for the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of men. Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt and the people made Jehoahaz king in place of his father. “Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz away and brought him to Egypt, and he died there.” (2 Kings 23:34) Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Jehoikim died and was replaced by his son Jehoiachin who was captured by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon who would remain in Babylon to his death. After this, Zedekiah was made king, then Jerusalem was burned and plundered by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. What does it mean? A day and an hour is coming in which God will judge the...

Reading: 2 Kings, chapters 17 vs 7 through, chapter 22. This section covered the reason for Israel’s fall, the reign of Hezekia in Jerusalem, the return to worship of the Lord, followed by a turning away from the Lord under kings Manasseh and Amon; lastly, a turning back to the Lord under Josiah king of Judah. Israel fell because they feared other gods, 1  forsaking all the commandments of the Lord their God; they fell into Idolatry. 2  The people that replaced them were no better. 3  When the king of Assyria came to destroy Jerusalem, Hezekiah prayed a prayer of repentance and the Lord the God of all creation listened to Hezekiah king of Judah and kept Assyria away. 4  Through the prophets, the Lord promised the destruction of Jerusalem because of the return to Idolatry under Manasseh and Amon. 5  The book of the Law is discovered in the temple. Through the Huldah prophetess, Josiah understands the reason for Israel’s destruction. 6   I am working a half-d...

This morning I read 2 Kings, chapters 11 through 17 verse 6, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried Israel away into exile to Assyria. 1  The Assyrians took people from their land and deported them to another place and replaced them with other people whom were being deported from their land. The deportation policy was intended to remove from conquered peoples anything that they might rally in defense of. If they have no land and no nation, and their ethnic identity has been compromised (through forced assimilation), there is no identity to fight for. 2  All of this came about from the Lord the God of Israel whom they forsook for other gods and Idols that they made with their hands. The Lord’s dealing with Israel and their disobedience to the Law 3  highlights the attributes of God. Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps loving...

I am reading 2 Kings and this morning I read chapters 6–10. The Lord’s commandments are plain: You shall have no other gods before me, yet much if Israel worshiped Baal. You shall not create in graven images and bow down to them, yet Israel had two temples in which graven images of cows were worshiped as the Lord. You shall not take the name of the Lord you God in vain, yet they counted God’s name as equal to that of the supposed gods of the land. They murdered their neighbors; in my reading this morning a woman boiled and ate her own child. It was so bad that a king of Israel or Judah was considered good if he did not worship Baal or bow down to idols, yet God’s standard is that a man keeps the whole law and does not offended at any point. Israel, Judah and all of mankind; therefore, is in need of forgiveness and the only way for God to be just and justify anyone is for God to have taken our place in judgment and that happened at the cross; however, for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ t...

“This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 1  How do we rejoice when nothing seems to be going our way? On February 16 th , 2014 my earthly father died from a horrible disease the destroyed his brian. Watching his suffering and the way that he died broke my heart. I had been active as a Christian sharing my faith with others in my community, and nationally, open air preaching around large sporting events. After my father’s death, I decided to return to education. I was a registered nurse with an associates degree which I received from El Centro College in Dallas, Texas, December 11 th , 1997. The summer after my father’s death I started taking classes online with the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, December 19 th , 2015. I applied for a job as the cardiovascular nurse educator in the hospital that I worked at and was denied a job that all around me believed that I was the most qualified; a person...

I took the day off from work because I was unable to walk more than a few steps. Darlene got me an appointment with Dr. Hosch who is a pediatrist with Christus Trinity Clinic. He said that I tore the planer fascia. He put me on an anti-inflammatory (Naproxen) for the next 2 weeks and fitted me with an orthopedic boot to immobilize my foot. He said that I am to wear the boot for the next 6 weeks and will not be able to return to running until after he sees me in his office. I am scheduled to see him 6 weeks from now. I do not think that I have gone a month without running in my entire life, probably no more than a week. However, he did say that I can use a stationary bike once the pain is reduced. I guess that will allow me to maintain some fitness but it is nothing like running. Running is not only a fitness activity for me but a mental activity. I do a great deal of thinking while running outside. I read 1 Kings, chapters 19–22 and recited John, chapter 7. The king of Israel said to t...

I worked in cardiac rehab from 7:30am–6:30pm, most of the day I was despondent. I was not feeling sorry for myself or at least I do not think that I was. All around us are constant reminders that we are not yet home. The Word promises in the kingdom of God  “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 1  My brother in Christ Paul McClung is ill and no longer teaches at Sylvania Church. I wonder if Abdiel, the leader of the Reformed Baptist in Cuba will continue with the ministry of appointing pastors and teaching them. Then I learn that the prosecuting attorneys will be seeking the death penalty for Will Davis. After work I was running on a treadmill when I suddenly felt acute pain in the arch of my right foot. I believe that something tore in the foot because I am not able to bear wight on it for it is very painful. So, for the time being ...

During breakfast I continued working on the current Spanish lesson. In my opinion, this lesson is much more difficult than all the previous lessons. I departed for work and used the time alone to practice reciting Juan 1:1-13. I have become fluid in this particular Spanish passage and since I know the word in English; therefore, I understand the word in Spanish. I worked in out patient cardiac rehab from 7:30am – 5:00pm. During one of the morning sessions I received a text message form Paul McClung that he had contacted the brother of the pastor that we worked with in Cuba, telling him not to get visas for us this spring do to his illness. I trust in the providence of the Lord but do not like to see my brother suffering. Also, I am disappointed about not going back to Cuba as planned this spring. The church in Cuba is a beautiful church. The brothers their hunger and thirst for the word of truth. They love God (Father and Son and Holy Spirt) and they love one another. I do not want to...

Luke investigated everything carefully that was handed down from the eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Luke wrote his gospel account in consecutive order. Luke made this address to someone named Theophilus, telling him that he wrote this way so that he may know the exact truth about the things accomplished. (Luke 1:1-4) However, not all of Scripture is written that way; in fact, most of Scripture is not written in consecutive order. “Israel’s record of history was not intended to be a record of events but a record of the ways in which God had acted in history.” (IVP BBC OT) I am bring up this point because I will be journaling about things accomplished in consecutive order but I am more concerned with recording the ways God is acting. I am posting what I write early in the morning after I have spent time reading Scripture; therefore, the title reflects the day on which the material is posted, not the day on which the events written about occurred. However, the thoughts and eve...

Yesterday, I worked in Cardiac rehab from 7:30am to 4:45pm. After work I rode a stationary bike for 30 minutes at a moderate effort. Scripture reading, 1 Kings 8-9. Recitation, John 3. Solomon’s dedication of the Temple and his prayer to the Lord before the people was temporal and not eternal. He and all Israel would soon break the first and second commandments falling into idolatry. Once in idolatry love for neighbor also fall away. Israel was suppose to glorify the Lord God among the nations of the earth but they turned inward and not outward. There is a son of David who brought glory to the name and his name is Jesus. Therefore, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bend and every tongue shall confess Jesus Christ as Lord to the glory of God the Father. He is the image of the invisible God. The first born of all creation. Jesus Christ is given first place in everything. If someone hates the Son they hate the Father because the Son is the exact representation of His nature. To love ...

Scripture: reading, 1 Kings 6–7 and recitation, John 2. I have decided that I should return to reciting 1 chapter from John’s gospel daily rather than breaking it up into smaller sections. I truly love the Word of God and look forward to reading and reciting His Word every morning. Yesterday, I ran for 1 hour and 7 minutes at a moderate pace. It has been a few weeks since I ran on 2 days back to back and I noticed the fatigue in my legs but I enjoyed the run nonetheless. I also noticed a slight soreness in my foot during the day but no pain as before and this morning there is no soreness. Nevertheless, I will do 30 minutes cross training today rather than running. I had the responsibility along with Mike Anderson to sit at the missions conference sign up table before Bible study and before and after corporate worship. Mike and I are members of the missions committee at Sylvania church and the committee has planned a missions conference for the weekend of February 28th, 29th and March 1...

I read 1 Kings, chapters 3, 4, and 5. After sacrificing to the Lord (worship) Solomon slept and in a dream the Lord asked him what he would like the Lord to do for him. Solomon asked for wisdom that he might rule his people Israel. The Lord God granted him wisdom but also gave him riches and power. Thus, the physical promises of  the Abrahamic covenant were fulfilled. God had given Abraham a nation to many to count because they were “as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore,” (4:20, NASB) a land, and a kingdom. God had told Abraham that kings would come from him. One thing remains, that all the nations would be blessed. (Gn 22:18) This would be fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Judah and Israel thought inwardly instead of outwardly. I personally understand this because it is my nature to think inwardly. I will withdraw to myself, or with those who are closest to me. This must be overcome because the Lord God has given all authority in his son Jesus Christ and he has c...

1 Kings 1 –2: The end of David’s reign as king and the establishment of Solomon as king in Jerusalem. The two eldest sons of David were dead; therefore, Adonijah believed that he was aire to the thrown and since David had become ill he believed that he should establish himself king. In these two chapters many men died with the establishment of Solomon as king and the cleansing of David’s thrown. I personally do not understand these ways because I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ whose kingdom is not established by force but through sacrifice. That being said, David’s thrown is established forever in Jesus Christ but not by physical force but by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ through faith whom God raised from the dead. In 2:10 the Scripture says, David slept with his fathers. This indicates awakening at some point in time. The ancient Israelites believed as the Christian does today, that a day and hour is coming when all will rise from the dead. The Son of God Jesus Christ is the ...

Today I arose at 5:00am to read 2 Samuel 23–24. The last words of David are a song giving praise to God for establishing his kingdom. God made a covenant with David in 7:8-18, so in this psalm David contrast the righteous ruler with the unrighteous. It was David who was raised on high. David began is a boy herding sheep and God made him king of his people Israel. David was considered the sweet psalmist; in fact, David wrote the majority of the psalms.  David believed himself to be a prophet because his songs and wisdom came from God. After this, a list of David’s mighty men and some of their acts are given. There is the three and the thirty but there are a total of 37 men listed. Perhaps, as some died some were replaced? A remembrance is made regarding the men who brought David water from the the well in Bethlehem. David had made a comment that he would like a drink from that well. David did not say this as a command but was just speaking his desires out loud. These men wanting to...

This morning I read, 2 Samuel 21 – 22. David has 7 of Saul’s sons slain to make atonement for Saul’s misdeed against the Gibeonites; however, this act contradicts the commandment of Deuteronomy 24:16, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.” Also, their bodies should have been buried that same day and not laid out because Deuteronomy 21:22–23 says, “ If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance.” David did these things to bring rain because the Lord God withheld the rain because of Saul’s misdeeds against the Gibeonites whom Israel made a covenant with when they entered the land of Canaan. It should be...

Reading: 2 Samuel chapters 19 – 20; David restored as king in Jerusalem. Recitation: John chapter 20; the resurrection of the Son of God Jesus Christ as Lord and God. I worked in from 9:30am until 3:30pm. Before lunch I received one patient for assessment and cardiac rehab orientation interview. After lunch I spent the afternoon working on my ACLS re-certification. ACLS stands for Advanced•Cardiac•Life•Support. I first became certified over 20 years ago and I am required to become re-certified every 2 years. This has changed from the past. When I first did these things we did re-certification in a lab and took a written test. Now the entire thing is on a computer except for a check off on a dummy to show that you can do chest compressions. There are several videos to watch and scenarios to do regarding someone having a heart attack, stroke, or going into cardiac/pulmonary arrest. As I watched these, much of the heartache regarding more than 20 years of ICU nursing came back to me ...

This morning I arose at 4:30am and read 2 Samuel, chapters 16 – 18; David’s fleeing across the Jordan into Galilee and the death of David’s rebellious son Absalom in the forest. I consider the actions of Absalom horrendous and most would agree. He rebelled against his father’s rule and he had sex with his father’s wives on a rooftop in broad day light; however, are not my thoughts, words and deeds rebellious towards my heavenly Father God. My mind is a cesspool of wickedness, my words have been like slashing swords and my actions selfish, yet like David did not want his son to die, and God does not desire that any should perish. I recited John, chapter 19; the torcher, death and burial of the Son of God. When you realize that Jesus death on the cross was for your sins, that changes your entire perspective. Conversion is not a simple belief and repentance is not a simple turning from sin. When you see the light that you have sinned against God and know that Jesus Christ died for your si...

Today I read 2 Samuel, chapter 14 – 15, and recited John, chapter 18. I get the picture from these text that we live in a sinful-fallen world, yet I have hope because Jesus Christ is risen and has promised to return and raise all who believe in him (trust) to eternal life in the new heaven and new earth which is yet to come. Jesus Christ has already been inaugurated King but is yet to sit down on his glorious thrown to judge the earth. I am not going to pretended that I fully understand this. I do not understand the lengthy waiting period. I am inpatient. I want to live in the new heaven and new earth now. However, I must live for the kingdom now. Jesus said, to go therefore and make disciples of all the nations. That is all people on the earth. Such an overwhelming task for an individual but can I show one person the way and the truth and the life? Being that yesterday was a Sunday I had the day off from work and spent the morning at Sylvania Church. Phillip preached on Luke, chapter ...

Reading: 2 Samuel, chapters 12 and 13. Recitation: John, chapter 17. David broke three of the ten commandments: He broke the tenth commandment by coveting another man’s wife, then the seventh commandment by committing adultery. He broke the sixth commandment by arranging the death of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah. Jesus said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Mt. 22:37-40) The Ten Commandments can be divided into those commandments which show that a person has love for God and those which show love towards ones neighbor. David violated the commandments on the side of loving ones neighbor; however, he recognized that in violating the Law of God, his sin was primarily against God. Nathan used the Law to bring convection before telling him that G...

Today, though it be Saturday, I arose at 4:30am that I may read Scripture before going to work, for it is my turn to work on the unit ambulating postoperative patients. I will be at work today from 7:00am to 12:30pm ambulating people who just this week had heart surgery or lung surgery. Reading: 2 Samuel chapters 8 – 11, the Israelites defeat of the Philistines, the subduing of Moab and the battle with Ammon; also, Davids sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. Recitation: John chapter 16, the Lord encourages the disciples before his arrest. In these two text we have David thinking only of himself and Christ thinking of his disciples. Who should be emulated? The answer is Christ but to do so a man must die to self. To be a servant of others is to deny self. Denying self is probably the most difficult thing that a person can do. Christ died for our sins. He gave up his life that we who have sinned against God might live. The wages for sin is death and he promised to save us from de...

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. I have had some trouble sleeping lately. I have trouble in falling asleep; also, I awaken midnight and have trouble falling back asleep. Regardless I do sleep; therefore, I am able to work and live. This morning I read 2 Samuel chapters 4 -7 and recited John chapter 15. There are many interesting things to say about these. The brining of the Ark of God into Jerusalem. On the first attempt Uzzah was struck dead when he reached out to steady the Ark of God. The Ark of God contained the 2 tablets, the ten commandments of God. Then when David desired to build a house for God he covenanted to build a house for David, that through his seed his kingdom would be establish forever. Then from John chapter 15 vs 1 Jesus said, “I am the true vine.” Jesus is the seed of the woman that God first spoke of in Genesis 3:15, and he is the seed of Abraham through Sarah, and he is the seed of the household of David. Jesus Christ is...

I arose at 4:30am and read 2 Samuel chapters 1 – 3 and recited John chapter 14. How can one hear the Word of God in Jesus Christ written in John chapter 14 on not believe that God the Almighty is one Devine being who subsist eternally in three persons. I admit that I have had confusion in my past days of following the Lord regarding the Trinity. Sometimes, even now I am confused as to who I should be praying too. Should I pray to the Father or should I pray to Jesus Christ and I almost never consider that I should pray to the Holy Spirit, yet the Spirit is equally God in essence with the Father and the Son. Most often I pray to the Father in the name of the Son but I will also pray to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit as one Devine being. During such a prayer I may even address members of the Trinity individually. However, I always conclude in Jesus Christ because it is in Jesus Christ alone that I am justified before Almighty God. Yesterday, I worked in Cardiac Rehab from 7:...

I arose at 4:30am and read 1 Samuel chapters 28 -31 and recited John chapter 13. For some reason my continence is low this morning and I do not know the reason. I was restless at times during the night. I normally sleep through the night and awake only once during the night to void. However, last night I awoke repeatedly and when I did my mind was thinking about something that Paul said on Mars hill: A day and an hour is coming in which God will judge the world in righteousness through a man whom he has appointed, furnishing proof to all men by raising him from the dead. Paul was of course talking about the final judgment and the Son of God Jesus Christ being the Son of Man who has been appointed judge for he is the one whom God raised from the dead. The question is, why was this statement on my mind every time I awoke and I awoke numerous times during the night? My first orientation appointment yesterday was strange. The man began saying that people avoid him because he is always tal...

Today, I recited John chapter 12 vs 27 – 50 and read 1 Samuel 25 – 27. The Father spoke to the Son in the hearing of the people and his voice sounded like thunder. David said to Saul, “The Lord will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I refused to stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” (1 Sm 26:23) This is the second time that David had refused to put Saul to death when he had been delivered into his hand. David was against Nebal for he had dishonored David and his men but Abigail his wife was kind to David and he realized that he should not avenge by his own hand. This interaction was fresh on his mind when he came upon Saul in the field. From the song of Moses Deuteronomy 32:35 “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.” Yesterday, I had the day off work. I exercised on an elliptical ...

I recited John chapter 12 vs 1 – 26 and read 1 Samuel chapters 21 – 24: The Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Saul’s seeking the life of David. David is more righteous than Saul, this he confessed to David at the cave; however, compared to the Lord his righteousness is like a filthy rag in comparison. David lied to Ahimelech the priest: “The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’ (1 Samuel 21:2) David was running from Saul and he hid this from Ahimelech. The example for us to follow is not David or anyone else for that matter it is Christ, “who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.” (1 Peter 2:22) Yesterday, Phillip preached on Luke chapter 15, three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Phillip pointed out that these parables are not about the lost th...

I recited John chapter 11 vs 38 – 57 and read 1 Samuel chapters 18 – 20. The text is similar in that Saul sought the life of David because of Jealousy and the chief priest and Pharisees sought the life of Jesus for the same reason. Yesterday morning I ran 15km at a moderate effort in 1 hour and 21 minutes. It was so nice to get outdoors and run. I truly enjoy Saturday morning runs because I have the time to run longer and there is little traffic on the road. The pace as easier than my weekday runs; therefore, I can think. I am often preaching the gospel to myself from the Scriptures. As I ran, I silently recited parts of Paul’s letter to the Romans: chapter 1 vs 16 – 17; chapter 3; and chapter 10 vs 3 – 17. Several years ago, I memorized these because they explained the gospel to me and the purpose for evangelism. The text themselves are a sermon when recited, even without elaborating on the text. I had decided that I would take my lunches out of my department in the common area near ...

Sunday: Yesterday morning I ran on the roads at an easy pace averaging 8:58 per mile for 1 hour and 21 minutes. I was happy to be back outside running and I did so pain free. While running I thought about how I should exercise this week. I plan to exercise 5 days this week: Monday and Friday I will cross train for 40 minutes; 20 minutes on a stationary bike and 20 minutes on an elliptical trainer. On Tuesday and Thursday, I will run for 40 minutes; 10 minutes easy pace, 20 minutes at my goal 15k pace, and 10 minutes easy pace. Then on Saturday I will run on the road for 1 hour and 20 minutes at an easy pace. Darlene and I stayed home yesterday, we relaxed and read; I began reading “The Way of the Master” by Ray Comfort. Reading this book again having completed a Master of Theological Studies degree is good. When I read the book before, I was a baby Christian, but this is no longer the case. I can really see the biblical truth of the way of the master and will be employing this meth...