For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

Proverbs 23:9-11

    There is no point debating with a fool, they will refuse to listen to even the wisest advice. This reminds me of a saying I saw posted at one of my jobs, “If you find yourself in an argument with a fool, make sure that you aren’t the fool.”
    Do not attempt to cheat the fatherless by changing the long established rules. They may not have a father to protect their interests, but the One who defends them will not be fooled by your deception and has the ability to make you pay the price for it.

Psalm 57:1-11

    God will fulfill His purposes for us, even if we are surrounded by enemies. When faced with overwhelming opposition, or any opposition whatsoever, let us call out to God for His aid. He will defeat those who are attempting to thwart His purposes for our lives. He will cause those who have set traps for us to fall into their own traps. If we place our confidence in God, rather than in our own ability, He will cause the actions of our enemies to assist us in accomplishing His purposes. I will exalt God with all that I am. I will remember that my successes are not a result of my strength. I succeed in what is truly important only when I rely on God and allow His power to accomplish the goal.

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

    Reading both the NLT and the NIV makes this passage more clear to me. Paul warns those who had been sinning when he had been there on his second visit to amend their ways. They are demanding that he prove to them that Christ speaks through him. Paul promises that if they are still sinning in the same manner when he visits a third time he will give them the proof they are asking for. As I read this today, I was reminded of the story of Ananias and Sapphira. We are to examine ourselves to see whether our faith is genuine. If our faith is genuine, Christ will be within/among us. Paul hopes that the believers in Corinth will do the right thing before he arrives, even if that means he will be unable to offer the proof he promised them. We should hope that people will follow the Lord without the need for the demonstration of His power.

Isaiah 12-14:32

    Isaiah prophecies the downfall of Babylon, but he does not just prophecy their downfall. He also prophecies that God’s judgement will fall on lesser nations who are just as wicked. However, God will provide for those who serve Him. Those rulers and people who thought they were gods who could rise up to heaven and accomplish whatever they wished will be brought low. They will be shown to be no stronger than even the weakest of people. However, those who would have done the same evil if they had the chance will suffer the same fate. When God brings His judgement it will be only on the strong and powerful, but on all of those who desired to oppress others, even those who lacked the means to do so.

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

Proverbs 23:6-8

    If you are invited to eat by someone who is stingy, they will be constantly thinking about whether they are getting a return on the money they spent for the meal. As a result neither you nor they will enjoy the meal or the time you spend together.

Psalm 56:1-13

    The psalmist once more discusses how to react when enemies and problems seem about to overwhelm. When we are afraid, let us put our trust in the Lord. If we put our trust in the Lord, we will have nothing to fear. God has promised to take care of us, what can any mortal do? The answer is that no human can do anything which goes against what God wills for us and God has promised that all will work together for good for those who love Him. So, let us put our trust in Him and have no fear, no matter how threatening the future may seem.

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

    I struggle with putting into words the meaning I see in this passage. Paul was confronting the Corinthians over their acceptance of men who taught things contrary to what Paul had taught them. These other men, these “super apostles”, were apparently polished speakers who benefited from money raised by the Corinthian Church. Yet they apparently accused Paul of being a trickster and a fraud. When someone is busy telling you what a terrible person their rival is, especially when the rivalry starts from the side of the person talking bad about the other, watch their actions closely, they are more likely to be doing what they accuse others of than are the people they accuse. Paul points out that despite the fact that he was being accused of trickery, there were no actual examples of ways in which he tricked them.

Isaiah 10-11:16

    Unjust judges and oppressive rulers will suffer for their sins. Those who deprive the poor of judgement, deny the rights of the poor, prey on widows, and take advantage of the fatherless will find themselves in need of aid. When that day arrives, they will find no one willing to aid them. God will raise up a leader to strike them down and make them suffer in the same way that they made others suffer. Yet this leader, and the people he leads, will not recognize that all of his victories are a gift from God. As a result they will commit the same sorts of evil which they had been raised up to punish. When in their hubris they claim the right and ability to act against those who truly serve the Lord, God will show them the limits of their might and bring them down.

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

Proverbs 23:4-5

    It is futile to exhaust ourselves in the pursuit of wealth. What good will it do us to acquire large amounts of money, if we spend all of our time getting it and have no time to spend it (whether on ourselves or others)? We may think that we are clever enough to know when we have “made it”, but wealth is fleeting. No sooner do you think that you have a fortune than it will disappear. Let us focus on doing God’s work rather than on acquiring wealth.

Psalm 55:1-23

    The psalmist was troubled and worried about many problems. He could not get his fears and worries out of his mind. So, he called upon the Lord, and not just once, but persistently. He called upon the Lord morning, noon, and night. Let us follow the psalmist’s example. When troubles and worries are filling our minds, let us call upon the Lord morning, noon, and night. In verse 22 the psalmist tells us how to deal with whatever it is that is worrying us. For this I prefer the NIV:

Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
“Cast” is so much more expressive of how we are to do this than “Give”. The word cast expresses an action where it is harder to take it back than that expressed by “give”. It is not easy to follow this advice, but it is sure. Morning, noon, and night let us call out to the Lord and give over to Him the worries of this life which fill our minds. Once we have cast our cares upon Him, let us turn our minds to doing His will.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

    Paul tells us that despite the many things he experienced which could be the basis of boasting, he has chosen not to do so. Part of what kept him from doing so was his knowledge of what he referred to as “thorn in his flesh”. He never tells us what that “thorn” was. He tells us that he begged God to take it from him, but that God told him that God’s grace would allow him to live with it. Some have suggested that the “thorn” was a vision problem, others have suggested it was some other physical disability. Reading this today, the context seems to imply some sort of temptation which Paul found impossible to resist, yet Paul’s writings, as I understand them, teach that if we fully turn ourselves over to the Holy Spirit, He will give us the strength to resist all temptation. Ultimately, the key to remember from this passage is that God’s power works best in our weakness.

Isaiah 8-9:21

    Isaiah prophesied that Judah would be delivered from the alliance of Syria and Israel. Rather than feel sorrow for the suffering the people of Syria and Israel experienced, the people of Judah rejoiced at their misfortune. Therefore God told Isaiah that they would experience a measure of that same suffering. Let us never rejoice over the suffering of others, not even those who wish us ill. God condemns such behavior in the strongest terms. God calls us to love all people, even those whose actions will lead them to suffering, even those whose actions wrong us or others.
    God instructed Isaiah not to think like everyone else does. That instruction is intended for us as well. Do not believe conspiracy theories and do not be afraid of the things which frighten those who do not fear the Lord. Rather it is God whom we should fear. We should tremble at the thought of making God angry. If we fear the Lord, He will keep us safe. Isaiah warns us against getting caught up with those who seek guidance from the dead and other paranormal means. We see the sort of thing he was warning about in the popularity of shows such as Ghost Hunters. As people have less and less trust in God, they become more susceptible to conspiracy theories, superstition, and paranormal explanations for what is happening. They refuse to accept or follow God’s instruction, then become angry when bad things result.
    Despite the great anger which God expressed against the people of Judah through Isaiah, He still promised that there would be an end to the darkness. He promised through Isaiah that Jesus would come and shine the light of deliverance upon God’s people. Even today, as people turn from God to superstition and conspiracy theories, God is preparing once more to cause His light to shine out among them. I believe a great darkness is descending upon the world once more. However, I also believe that the darkness is but a prelude to God’s light once more bursting forth for all people to see. As I think about that I feel inspired to call out to God, “Here I am. Send me.” (Of course, just thinking that frightens me a bit, where will He send me?)

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

Proverbs 23:1-3

    I actually think that the footnote to the NIV makes the most sense of this proverb. When you sit down to a meal with the movers and shakers of this world, pay attention to who else is there and to what they say and do. If you allow yourself to be caught up in the pleasure of eating the food set before you, you may as well kill yourself because you will miss some interaction which is important. Do not become so enamoured of eating with the movers and shakers that you are willing to give up what is important to you.

Psalm 54:1-7

    God is my helper. He is the one I will call on when trouble arises. I will count on Him when enemies attack me. Those who plot against me because I serve Him will have their plans to blow up in their faces. Even when times are good, I will serve the Lord. I will give to the work of the Lord, not because He demands it but because I love Him.

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

    Paul points out that whatever others may have to boast about their faith and righteous service of God, he had as much or more. Yet despite all of this, Paul does not want us to believe his message on the basis of any of that. He wants us to judge him on the basis of what God has done through him despite his weakness, not because of his strength. God does not choose us because we are strong, wonderful people. Rather God has chosen us to demonstrate His willingness and ability to heal the weak and broken. It is only my willingness to admit my flaws and failures that has any value to God. If God can use me to accomplish His purpose in this world, then He can surely use you to do even more.

Isaiah 6-7:25

    When Isaiah found himself in the presence of God he was sure that he was doomed. He realized that he was a sinful man in the presence of righteousness. What is interesting is that Isaiah recognized that his sinfulness was expressed by the words he spoke. When Isaiah acknowledged his sinfulness before God, God cleansed and forgave him. Having forgiven Isaiah, God asks who He can send to deliver His message. God is asking this question today. Whom shall He send? Having been forgiven, will I answer as Isaiah did? Whenever I read this passage, I cannot help but imagine Isaiah standing there going, “Me, Me, send me! I’ll go!” Although sometimes I also imagine Isaiah looking around, seeing no one else there and saying quietly, “Well, I’m here, you could send me.” In both cases I imagine Isaiah having some doubt as to whether or not he was truly qualified, if God will really want to send him. We may feel the same way, I certainly do. But God’s answer to us is the same as His answer to Isaiah, “Yes, go, and say to this people…”
    The question is not whether God wants us to deliver His message. The question is, are we willing to go?

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

Proverbs 22:28-29

    The proverb writer warns against moving boundary markers set up long ago. While this is partially about not cheating our neighbors, it is also a warning about following the rules to which everyone has agreed. The “boundary markers” are agreed upon markers positioned so that everyone knows where the boundary between one property and the next is. If I move one of them to my advantage, how can I tell when someone moves it to their advantage? And what basis do I have to complain when they do so? This applies as much to things like the definition of marriage as it does to physical markers which mark the boundary of property.

Psalm 53:1-6

    This psalm starts with a very true, and important, statement which often causes us to miss the rest of what it says. Only those who are truly and completely fools believe in their hearts that there is no God. Such people are corrupt and their actions are evil. However, the psalmist goes on and tells us that God is looking on the world looking to see if any are wise. He finds that none are. All have turned away and done evil. No one truly does good. It is only because God is gracious and chooses to restore us that we are able to do any good whatsoever. Were it not for God’s grace I would still be one of those fools who say that there is no God.

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

    Paul warns here against listening to those who skillfully and convincingly teach a gospel other than that presented here in the New Testament. This passage, combined with my experience in life, makes me suspicious of those who preach a finely polished message. I have learned that those who preach a carefully honed message which has you nodding along and feeling good about yourself are usually preaching something other than a message given to them by God. One sign that such people are corrupt is that they live the fine life with money gathered from those who listen to their preaching. This contrasts to preachers such as Paul, through whom God works great wonders and who refuse to be a financial burden on anyone.

Isaiah 3-5:30

    I read this passage and wonder if Isaiah was talking about our society today. All of those who a society depends on for stability and honour seem to be gone. People seek to oppress one another at every opportunity. The young insult their elders. The vulgar hold the honourable in contempt. Those with the potential to be true leaders will decline to step forward because the people would rather be led by those who seek their own self-interest.
    Despite all of this, God will look after the godly and judge the wicked. When things have reached a point where recovery seems impossible God will raise leaders to bring people back to Him. The leaders will finally turn the people back from where they were. But before that happens, the rich will accumulate wealth while driving others away from them so that they will live alone. The rich will gather land to themselves, yet it will be unproductive. Where God calls for justice there will be oppression. The people will spend their time seeking only their own pleasure rather than on working to serve the Lord. I see it today, those who say that evil is good and that good is evil. Such people will face great sorrow.

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

Proverbs 22:26-27

    If you guarantee someone else’s debt, make sure that you are able to pay it off, because you probably will.

Psalm 52:1-9

    We all know, or know of, someone like the person the psalmist describes. Someone who brags about the evil they do, who tells stories about how they did nasty things to other people. Perhaps we have found ourselves doing it. There are those who destroy others with their words and then brag about it. Such people trust in their own might, wealth, and cleverness rather than trusting in God. God will repay them for their sins. If we trust in God, we will not think of ourselves as better than others and will not attempt to destroy them. If we trust in God we will praise His name and lift others up before Him.

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

    This passage is so relevant right now with the rise of Islamic extremism and other violent attacks on Christians. Those who follow Christ are waging a war and have been doing so since Jesus was raised from the dead. But we do not fight with the weapons of this world, we do not fight with the sword and the gun. Rather we fight with God’s weapons, which are mightier than any wielded by mere man. These weapons will allow us to show the flaws in human reasoning and to knock down the strongholds of belief built upon purely human thought. Such things are necessarily false arguments and contain the seeds of their own destruction within them. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can destroy every idea, thought, and ideology which sets itself up against the knowledge of God. Let us take captive our every thought and make it obedient to Christ, and then, not only our own thoughts but other thoughts as well. If we allow the Spirit to guide us and direct us, He will show us how every human thought, idea, and ideology can be brought around to reveal the true knowledge of God and Christ.

Isaiah 1-2:22

    Yesterday, the theme from 2 Corinthians was being a cheerful giver. However, no matter how much we give to God’s work, it will not make up for doing evil. God does not want our wealth, He wants our obedience. Isaiah warns that for all too many of us our hands are full of blood. God calls for us to give up our evil ways and learn to do good. Let us seek justice, and not just for ourselves, but for others who have not the ability to get it for themselves. If we turn from our sins and begin to obey God, He will wipe us clean and purify us from our sins.
    If we do not turn to Him and accept His grace, we will face His coming judgement. Those who are proud and think that their appearance of righteousness will suffer God’s judgement. On the day of God’s judgement, those who thought they could get by with their own tarnished righteousness will hide in fear. They will abandon the things in which they put their trust in the attempt to avoid the coming judgement. Those who have put their trust in people, whether it be a preacher, or a political leader, will find that their trust was misplaced. No human will be able to save you on the day of God’s judgement.