February 27, 2014 Bible Study — I Do Believe; Help My Unbelief!

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day, or more. in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

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Proverbs 10:18

     I prefer the NIV translation for today’s proverb. Those who conceal their hatred of others and then spread slander about them are fools. It does not take people long to figure out that you are not really someone’s friend when you are constantly telling others bad things about them.

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Psalm 43:1-5

     This psalm contains my prayer for today:

Send out Your light and Your truth;
let them guide me.

I am happy to say that I know that God is doing so for anyone who will look to Him. I will strive to let His light and His truth guide me today and every day. The psalm ends with the answer to depression (although it is easier said than done):

Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

When I feel sadness or discouragement I will put my hope in God and praise Him. I will recognize that even when things seem difficult and trouble besets me, God will be my defender and will care for me.

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Mark 9:1-29

     The story of the Transfiguration is a reminder that when we have a spiritual mountaintop experience we cannot stay there. There are times when we have transformational spiritual experiences. We need to remember that they do not last. The time comes when we need to take that experience back into the world. I just noticed one other thing that I have never connected it to the mountaintop experience part of this story. As they descended the mountain, Peter, James, and John discussed among themselves the meaning of what Jesus had said to them because they did not understand it. The same thing is likely to happen to us when we have mountaintop spiritual experiences.
     When Jesus got down from the mountain He discovered the some teachers of religious law arguing with the rest of His disciples. Jesus asked them what the argument was about. A man came forward to say that he had brought his son to Jesus’ disciples and they were unable to heal the boy. Jesus told the man to bring his son to Him. This is followed by an exchange which always touches my heart. The father begged Jesus to help him and his son if He was able. Jesus questioned the father’s doubt and told him that anything was possible for those who believe. The father than made the statement which sums up so much of my prayers, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” I find my self praying this prayer almost daily. The wonderful thing is that it is a prayer which God always answers with a resounding “Yes!”

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Leviticus 20:22-22:16

     Early in this passage is a phrase which contains a truth we do well to live by. “Do not live according to the customs of the people I am driving out before you. It is because they do these shameful things that I detest them.” This is so true of how we should live, although I would change it to “Do not live according to the customs of the people you live among. It is because they do these shameful things that I detest them.” God is not driving the people practicing this detestable culture out of the land before us. Rather, He is now calling on us to transform this culture by being faithful to Him. As I read this passage it reminded me of Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Let us be transformed by God’s Spirit so that by our example those around us will change their behavior and themselves be transformed by God’s Spirit.