Thanks to a post by Ethan, I have decided to attempt to read the whole Bible in one year. This would be a huge step in my spiritual life since I have never completely read all of the Bible. I will be using the format found here:
http://oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearbiblereadingplan.pdf
Hopefully I can stick with it and by this time next year, I will have read all of God's word. I will post sporadically when I feel something particularly stands out to me. Optimally, I will be posting more the closer I get to the end, because hopefully by that time, Scripture will start making much more sense to me.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Proverbs 23
Focus verse: Proverbs 23:17
"Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day."
Meaning: Following the path that the Lord sets before us is far more rewarding than anything this world could offer. To sin is to not follow God's law, and many things that are sinful seem enticing, but they will ultimately lead to destruction. The riches of heaven are infinite while the pleasures of the sinner only last for a short time. It would be fruitless for a man who walks in the ways of the Lord to envy such temporary things.
Application: The pleasures of this world, while not always of a sinful nature, can often lead us astray from God. Sometimes it's hard to have enough foresight to see that such things are not nearly as rewarding or long lasting as what the Lord has in store for us. It can be much easier to just give into what the flesh wants, and crave what we see others having, but it will not give us the best that life has to offer, even though it may seem that way for awhile.
"Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day."
Meaning: Following the path that the Lord sets before us is far more rewarding than anything this world could offer. To sin is to not follow God's law, and many things that are sinful seem enticing, but they will ultimately lead to destruction. The riches of heaven are infinite while the pleasures of the sinner only last for a short time. It would be fruitless for a man who walks in the ways of the Lord to envy such temporary things.
Application: The pleasures of this world, while not always of a sinful nature, can often lead us astray from God. Sometimes it's hard to have enough foresight to see that such things are not nearly as rewarding or long lasting as what the Lord has in store for us. It can be much easier to just give into what the flesh wants, and crave what we see others having, but it will not give us the best that life has to offer, even though it may seem that way for awhile.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Proverbs 22
Focus verse: Proverbs 22:24-25
"Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare."
Meaning: Simply, don't associate yourself with people who have a tendency to act out in anger or vengefullness. Anger is a normal human emotion, and it is not a sin to feel angry, however, Ephesians 4:26 tell us "be angry and do not sin." Because of our fallen sin nature, if we act upon our anger, we will end up sinning against God and transgressing against others. This warning is given because even the most righteous man could be brought to shame by spending too much time with someone who lets anger rule his life.
Application: Even if you are not one who is prone to fits of anger, spending time with someone who is could cause you to be more like them, or you could be the victim of their anger, or you could end up making a bad name for yourself through guilt by association. Wrath is considered one of the seven deadly sins, and God takes it very seriously. The Proverbs constantly warn about not being quick to anger and not associating yourself with it. Anger and wrath can only be acted upon properly by one who is ultimately just and ultimately righteous, and we are neither. Anger and wrath in the hands of the unjust and the unrighteous can only lead to strife.
"Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare."
Meaning: Simply, don't associate yourself with people who have a tendency to act out in anger or vengefullness. Anger is a normal human emotion, and it is not a sin to feel angry, however, Ephesians 4:26 tell us "be angry and do not sin." Because of our fallen sin nature, if we act upon our anger, we will end up sinning against God and transgressing against others. This warning is given because even the most righteous man could be brought to shame by spending too much time with someone who lets anger rule his life.
Application: Even if you are not one who is prone to fits of anger, spending time with someone who is could cause you to be more like them, or you could be the victim of their anger, or you could end up making a bad name for yourself through guilt by association. Wrath is considered one of the seven deadly sins, and God takes it very seriously. The Proverbs constantly warn about not being quick to anger and not associating yourself with it. Anger and wrath can only be acted upon properly by one who is ultimately just and ultimately righteous, and we are neither. Anger and wrath in the hands of the unjust and the unrighteous can only lead to strife.
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