Scripture: Proverbs 12:11 “Hard work means prosperity; only fools idle away their time.” Observation: I am such an idler. If not under pressure through a timeline or a mountain of work, my default is to idle. Any sort of “maintenance” work is a chore for me to do. There are projects all over my house [...]
Scripture: Romans 9:20-21 “Who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common [...]
Scripture: Proverbs 4:24 “Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.” (Message) Observation: I’m not typically a fan of The Message, but I think it nails this verse. Others interpret this as “perverse and corrupt talk” – the NASB says “deceitful” and “devious.” Interesting that “perverse” tends [...]
Scripture: Proverbs 2:12 “Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the adulterous woman.” Observation: Paul says it great in Romans 7:15 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” What man at the beginning of [...]
Scripture: Romans 6:16 “Whatever you choose to obey becomes your master. You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.” Observation: Half of this chapter describes our relationship with sin as “dead,” which is not how I would describe sin in my life. The other [...]
Scripture: 1 Kings 8:29 “May you watch over this Temple both day and night, this place where you have said you would put your name. May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place.” Observation: The celebration, sacrifices, and pomp that went into the dedication of this temple is staggering – fourteen days [...]
Scripture: Psalms 98: 4, 9 “Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! For the Lord is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the people with equity.” (NLT/NASB) Observation: This verse connects me to yesterday’s reading and reminds me (again) that [...]