I am trying something different. Previously, I have always placed my comments on the passage in the order Old Testament passage, New Testament passage, Psalm, Proverb. For the near future I am going to post them in the order in which I prepare the comments. This is likely to be the reverse of how I was doing it, but I foresee changing it up depending on what strikes me first. Please let me know what you think of this change.
     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.

Proverbs 8:14-26

     The proverb writer lists the characteristics of wisdom in today’s passage. Common sense and sound judgment, insight and power are products of wisdom. The only thing necessary to find wisdom is the desire, and willingness, to seek for it. Everything that is good and enduring is built on a foundation of wisdom. If you desire to accomplish anything of value or that will endure, begin by seeking out wisdom.

Psalm 31:19-24

     The Lord has stored up good things for those who fear Him. He will bless those who come to Him for protection in full view of everyone. I will love the Lord with all of my heart because He will protect those who are loyal to Him. I will praise Him publicly because He has shown me the wonders of His love. When all seems lost I will cry out to Him because I know that He will answer. I will fear and obey the Lord despite the scorn of those who hate Him, because He shelter me and bless me in their sight. If we are faithful to God, He will bless us in a manner that makes His greatness, and love for us, clear to all who are watching.

Matthew 26:14-46

     As Jesus led the disciples to the Garden, where He would be betrayed, He told them that they would all desert Him. Peter insisted that he would never desert Jesus, even if everyone else did. Jesus responded that before the rooster crowed he would deny Him three times. However, a little later I realized that Jesus appreciated Peter’s braggadocio, even though Peter could not back it up. I was reading about Jesus praying and I was going to focus on a key point of His prayer, “not as I will, but as you will.” (NIV) However, then I read what He said to Peter when He woke him from falling asleep. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (NIV) This struck me as something I struggle with so much…and as sound advice on how to deal with it (even if we still fall). I struggle with temptation and I know that I fall to it so often because I do not watch and pray as much as I need to. I know that I need to find a way to spend more time in prayer, a way to overcome the obstacles which Satan throws in my way. I have long struggled with this, yet I know God will show me the path to overcoming this. I long struggled with reading the Bible enough. Now God has given me this blog which has made reading the Bible something I look forward to doing. He will do the same for prayer in my life.

Exodus 29-30:10

     As I read today’s passage about the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, the first thought that went through my mind was my comment the other day about all of us being part of the priesthood of believers today. Then when I read the instruction to wash them in water at the entrance to the Tabernacle, I saw a parallel to baptism. The rest of the instructions for their dedication does not fit so well with baptism. However, as I read on I saw that the ceremony was to be carried out over seven days. This seemed to be to convey to both those witnessing it and to those being dedicated a sense of the solemnity of the occasion. We need to same sort of solemness as part of our baptism ceremony. Note: I am not talking about the sort of solemness that is appropriate for a funeral. There should be joy as part of a baptism as well as solemnity. After all, we are celebrating the new life which the celebrant is experiencing as well as their dedication to serving God.

I am trying something different. Previously, I have always placed my comments on the passage in the order Old Testament passage, New Testament passage, Psalm, Proverb. For the near future I am going to post them in the order in which I prepare the comments. This is likely to be the reverse of how I was doing it, but I foresee changing it up depending on what strikes me first. Please let me know what you think of this change.
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.

Proverbs 8:1-11     The proverb writer tells us that wisdom and understanding are not hard to find, if we look for them. They are calling out to us and making themselves available to any who desire them. Wisdom is more valuable than anything we can desire, let us seek it with all that we are.

Psalm 31:1-8     If we turn to God for protection, He will not let us be disgraced. If we allow God to be our fortress, He will pull us from the traps set by our enemies. Trust in the Lord and He will set you in a safe place. Following God’s commands will lead us away from danger and into safety.

Matthew 25:1-30     In today’s passage Jesus told two parables about the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. In the first parable He talks about ten brides-to-be waiting for the bridegroom to arrive. Five of them carefully prepare with extra oil, five only bring the oil which is in their lamp. The bridegroom is later than they expected and they fall asleep. When he arrives and they awaken, the five with extra oil quickly prepare their lamps and are ready to go. The other five need to go and get more oil, causing them to miss his arrival. Jesus tells us to be like the five wise brides-in-waiting and prepare against His return. In addition, He warns us that we cannot borrow preparation from someone else.
In the second parable Jesus gives us an example of what being prepared meant. It means taking the gifts God has given us and working hard to maximize those gifts and the impact they can have in the world around us. This second parable has always left me feeling a little scared. I have always felt that God has given me great gifts, but I must confess that I have not done much with those gifts. Throughout my life I have sought God’s guidance as to what He would like me to do with the gifts He has given me. To go along with my feeling of receiving great gifts from God has been the feeling that I have never received the guidance as to what He wants me to do with them. I suspect that my inability to discern God’s guidance for my life is a product of my laziness and fear of what He is calling me to. All of this leads me to fear that I am the third of the servants in God’s parable. Which leads me to continue to seek what He wants me to do with the talents He had given me. I know that, even if my gifts are less than I perceive them to be, that I have not lived the life to which God has called me. I will continue to strive to find the tasks to which He is calling me.

Exodus 26-27:21     Today’s passage gives a detailed description of the Tabernacle which Moses was instructed to have built. Then it ends with the instruction to use pure olive oil to keep the lamps lit. Those lamps were to be kept lit continuously, so that the light might of those lamps might shine in the presence of God. I was going to say that the bit about the lamps being kept lit was what struck me, but then I realized that was not true. What really struck me was the attention to detail necessary to construct the Tabernacle according to God’s instruction. Things like the three feet of overhanging tent covering mentioned in verse 12 of chapter 26. Or like the fact that the Tabernacle would be made of one continuous piece as mentioned in verse 6 of the same chapter. Such attention to detail is something that I have a hard time with, I believe that God is telling me that I need to work on that.

     I am trying something different. Previously, I have always placed my comments on the passage in the order Old Testament passage, New Testament passage, Psalm, Proverb. For the near future I am going to post them in the order in which I prepare the comments. This is likely to be the reverse of how I was doing it, but I foresee changing it up depending on what strikes me first. Please let me know what you think of this change.
     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.

Proverbs 7:24-27

     The proverb writer finishes his warning against seeking out a partner in adultery. Getting involved in an adulterous relationship will lead to disaster. I had not thought of this earlier, but one need only look at the news over the last few years to realize the truth of this.

Psalm 30:1-12

     What a wonderful psalm of joy. It is a reminder that our sorrows are temporary, but the joy which God gives us is eternal. God will turn our mourning into joyful dancing.

Matthew 24:29-51

     Jesus continued to talk about His return. He pointed out that no one, not even Himself, knows when that will happen. Only the Father knows. We do not know what day Jesus will return, so we must remain alert and doing His will. Jesus taught us to live as if He will return at any moment. My father taught me that, as a Christian, I should plan to be around for another hundred years, but live as if my next moment may be my last. I think that this is consistent with what Jesus was teaching here.

Exodus 23:14-25:40

     God instituted three festivals throughout the year for the people of Israel. This reminds us of the importance of rituals and ceremonies in worshiping God and in creating a community. If we faithfully serve God, and form a community which faithfully serves God, He will bless us with health and well-being.

     I am trying something different. Previously, I have always placed my comments on the passage in the order Old Testament passage, New Testament passage, Psalm, Proverb. For the near future I am going to post them in the order in which I prepare the comments. This is likely to be the reverse of how I was doing it, but I foresee changing it up depending on what strikes me first. Please let me know what you think of this change.
     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.

Proverbs 7:6-23

     I read today’s passage from proverbs several times because I was bothered by the emphasis on the woman leading the man astray which the proverb writer seems to emphasize a lot. Then I noticed something, the proverb writer points out that the young man lacked sense. He then described how the young man walked in the direction of “her house”. While the woman came out to meet him and seduced him, he went looking for her in the first place. This is like so many of our sins, we blame the source of temptation, even though we intentionally put ourselves in a position to be tempted.

Psalm 29:1-11

     The psalmist calls on heavenly beings to honor the Lord for His glory and His power. The psalmist reminds us that the mere voice of the Lord has power.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.

It was by His voice that He created the Universe.

Matthew 24:1-28

     As Jesus left the Temple He told His disciples that the time was coming when the Temple would be completely torn down. When they were alone with Jesus they asked Him when that would happen. Jesus answered their question by telling them that many would come claiming to be the Messiah. He also told them that their would be wars and rumors of wars. Then He told them (and us) not to be alarmed. He tells them (and us) that many trials and tribulations will come. His followers will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. False prophets will arise and deceive many. Most importantly, the Gospel will be preached to all parts of the world. There will be false prophets and false messiahs who perform great signs which will deceive even some who are among God’s elect (the implication is that the deception of God’s elect will be short-lived). Jesus warns us that when He returns there will be no mistaking it, everyone will know.
     I believe that much of what Jesus is talking about in this passage applies to what happened leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D.. However, I, also, believe that significant portions of it apply to us up until the time when Jesus returns. If we remain faithful we will face persecution. There will be many who will attempt to deceive us (and others) into believing things contrary to what Jesus taught. Most importantly, there will be no question in anyone’s mind when Jesus returns, we do not need to fear that He returned and we missed it.

Exodus 21:22-23:13

     When God gave commands to the people of Israel concerning justice in their courts, He emphasized the importance of not favoring someone just because they are poor. He warns them against slanting their testimony in favor of the poor. In the same section He commanded them not to be swayed by the crowd to twist justice. It is only after commanding us to return even our enemies property that we find mislaid (or wandered off in the case of animals) and to help when we see someone whose animal is overburdened (this command seems to me to extend to helping someone whose car has broken down) that He commands us to be sure to give justice to the poor in lawsuits. All in all these commands emphasize the importance of the law being applied with an even hand to both the rich and poor, to the powerful and to the helpless.

• Do not spread false reports
• Do not lie on the witness stand
• Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong
• Do not twist your testimony in order to side with the crowd
• Do not show favoritism to the poor
• If you see your enemy having problems, help him/her
• Do not deny the poor justice
• Avoid false charges
• Do not take bribes
• Do not oppress the foreigner

There is a thread about how the law should be the same for everyone running through these commands.

     I am trying something different. Previously, I have always placed my comments on the passage in the order Old Testament passage, New Testament passage, Psalm, Proverb. For the near future I am going to post them in the order in which I prepare the comments. This is likely to be the reverse of how I was doing it, but I foresee changing it up depending on what strikes me first. Please let me know what you think of this change.
     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.

Proverbs 7:1-5

     Wisdom and insight will keep one from falling under the spell of the immoral and promiscuous. Seek them as others seek lovers and you will find life.

Psalm 28:1-9

     The psalmist gives a pretty good way to summarize who the evil are, “They care nothing for what the Lord has done or for what his hands have made.” Then he goes on to call on us to praise the Lord because He has heard his cry for mercy. I love verse 7:

The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

The Lord is my rock and my protector. He has heard my cry and had mercy on me.

Matthew 23:13-39

     Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy in this passage. He talks about how they split hairs in their various interpretations of the Law of Moses in order to determine that action A was OK, while action B was against the Law. The most important part for understanding how it applies to us is in verse 23. There he accuses them of being scrupulous about tithing every little thing while overlooking the important parts of the Law. Jesus makes it clear that tithing is a good thing but makes it clear that we should put a stronger emphasis on justice, mercy and faithfulness than whether someone gives the right amount to God. It is more important to love our neighbors and care for their hurts than it is to get the minor details of God’s commands correct. Jesus tells us that it is more important to be righteous on the inside, in our thoughts and attitude, in what we think about others, than it is to appear righteous on the outside, for others to think that we are righteous. Let us do what is right because it is right, not because it makes us look good in front of others.

Exodus 19:16-21:21

     I could do this about the Ten Commandments and what they each mean. Or perhaps what just a few of them mean. However, what inspires me today is how God gave the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel and how they reacted to that presentation. God spoke directly to the people of Israel from the mountain. The passage tells us that a dense cloud came down on to the top of the mountain, thunder roared and lightning flashed. God gave the commandments in thunder and lightning from the cloud of smoke billowing on the top of the mountain. The people of Israel were afraid and asked Moses to intercede. They asked that Moses speak to them for they were afraid of God speaking directly to them. Moses told them that God had done this so that their fear of Him would keep them from sinning.
     Do we have sufficient fear of the Lord to keep from sinning? The people of Israel did not have metaphorical fear of God, they had “hide under the bed” fear of God. Before we can truly appreciate God’s love and His grace, we need to learn to fear Him as the people of Israel feared Him here.

     I am trying something different. Previously, I have always placed my comments on the passage in the order Old Testament passage, New Testament passage, Psalm, Proverb. For the near future I am going to post them in the order in which I prepare the comments. This is likely to be the reverse of how I was doing it, but I foresee changing it up depending on what strikes me first. Please let me know what you think of this change.
     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.

Proverbs 6:27-35

     The proverb writer tells us that justification may be found for other sins, such as theft, but there is no possible justification for adultery. People sympathize with someone who steals because he, or his family, is hungry, but someone who commits adultery destroys himself. There is nothing which can be done to make it right to those who have been sinned against.

Psalm 27:7-14

     I find today’s psalm very comforting. I love verse 8:

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

The Lord is saying that to each of us. Have you heard Him? Have you answered as the psalmist did? Are you willing to go to God and talk with Him, both speaking and listening. Even if you are not yet willing to listen to what God has to say to you, He wants to hear what you have to say to Him. Go and talk to Him now.
     Please go and talk to God, because He will hold you close, even if your parents abandon you. When you have told God everything you have to say, listen to Him. He will teach you how to live so as to avoid the traps and pitfalls your enemies are laying out for you. If you listen to God’s instruction you will see His goodness while you yet live and spend eternity in heaven.

Matthew 22:34-23:12

     I am not sure why the Pharisees thought that their question of Jesus was a trap, but then I have known His answer for as long as I have known the Bible. All of what God commands of us descends from the commandment which Jesus says is the most important: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” Jesus adds a second that follows from the first, but is not necessarily obvious to everyone: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” I read this and it is so hard to do. Sometimes I manage to love God with all of my heart, sometimes with all of my soul, and sometimes with all of my mind. But doing all three at the same time often seems beyond me. I pray to God that His Spirit will inhabit me so that I can do so.
     Jesus criticizes the religious leaders of His day (and many of today) for teaching that people should do one thing, but doing something else themselves. He points out that what they do is for the purpose of being honored by others. Then He warns us against letting others hold us up as better than themselves and against holding others up as better than ourselves. If we take on airs, God will humble us. If you feel that you are a leader, do what you can to serve those around you. I will not let others call me “Teacher”, or “Father”. I am not the one for others to hold up. If you want an example of how to live, do not look to me. I fail all too often and am much too proud. If you start to hold me up as special, I am likely to start to believe you and stop relying on God in order to do what is right.

Exodus 17:8-19:15

     Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, came to spend time with Moses and the children of Israel. While there he offered a sacrifice and shared a sacrificial meal with the leaders of the children of Israel. The following day, he witnessed Moses spend the entire day judging the disputes which the people of Israel had with each other. That evening Jethro asked Moses what he thought he was accomplishing. When Moses explained, Jethro told him that he could not go on this way. He gave him advice to which every leader of every group needs to listen. Jethro told Moses that he needed to delegate some of his tasks to others. As soon as a group is larger than three people, the tasks necessary to lead the group should be divided up among more than one person.

     I am trying something different now. Previously, I have always placed my comments on the passage in the order of Old Testament passage, New Testament passage, Psalm, Proverb. For the near future I am going to post them in the order in which I prepare the comments. This is likely to be the reverse of how I was doing it previously, but I foresee changing it up depending on what strikes me first. Please let me know what you think of this change.
     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.

Proverbs 6:20-26

     The proverb writer reminds us of the importance of remembering what our parents taught us. It does not matter whether we had good parents (which, by God’s grace, I did) or bad parents, there were things they taught us that will help us live a better, happier life.

Psalm 27:1-6

     This is a psalm where I like the NIV take on it better, especially the first verse:

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

I will seek one thing and one thing only, to dwell in the house of the Lord for all of the days of my life. With such a dwelling place, I have nothing to fear.

Matthew 22:1-33

     It has been done to death, but in today’s passage Jesus asks the Pharisees whose image is on the Roman coin. When they reply “Caesar’s”, He tells them to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. There are many things to be said about this and how it applies to our lives. However, today the thing that strikes me, not for the first time, is that in Genesis we are told that God made man in His own image. So, while our money may have been made by Caesar with his image on it, WE have been made by God with His image on us. Let us give to God what is God’s, Caesar can have the rest.

Exodus 15:19-17:7

     God saved the Israelites in dramatic fashion and they praised His name. Then a short time later they were complaining because the water they came to was too bitter to drink. Moses went to God and He told Moses how to make it drinkable. Then they traveled a little further and began complaining because they did not have good food to eat. So, God sent them manna from heaven to eat. Then they came to a place where there was no water to drink, and once more they complained. And once more God provided for their needs.
     Notice the pattern here? Time and again they were in a difficult situation and rather than trust God to bail them out, they complained and accused God and Moses of leading them to their deaths. Time and again, God showed that He was faithful a performed a powerful act to relieve their difficulty. Do we see ourselves in their actions? Can we learn to trust God? God is faithful and He will provide for us.