Friday, March 29, 2013

Psalm 119:89-176

The dude loved the Bible!  Let him convince you to do the same.

Listen... It is GOOD FRIDAY ... join with God's people and celebrate Jesus' death tonight and then re-gather to sing the praise of the Risen King this Sunday!

Read it here.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Psalm 119:1-88

This incredible psalm is in the form of an acrostic.  Each section follows the Hebrew alphabet (think the "A-B-C's").  So, the first eight verses have stanzas which all begin with the letter Alef ("A").  The next set of verses all start with Bet ("B"), etc.

It would be an artistic and incredibly painstaking form of poetry.  I dare you to try it in English!

The godly author likely memorized these words about the Bible by putting it in this form.  It also became a way to teach these words to children.

Today we will cover the first half of this magnificent psalm (the first 11 Hebrew letters).  Tomorrow we will complete it.

Read it here.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Proverbs 31

This famous chapter contains the wisdom that a godly mother offers her son (31:1).  It is not surprising, then, that much of it is directed toward finding a godly wife.

And no wonder - it is potentially the most consequential choice one makes apart from choosing Christ.

This is rich wisdom!

Read it here.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Proverbs 30

"I am more stupid than any other man..."

That is the way this set of proverbs begins.  It seems that this is his confession that wisdom is alien to his soul (he is not discovering this wisdom from his own heart).  Wisdom comes from God ("Every word of God is pure...").

It is a different style of proverbs - enjoy!

Read it here.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Proverbs 29

One who becomes stiff-necked,
after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly--beyond recovery.
(Prov. 29:1)

What a sobering proverb!  Lord, give me a willing and teachable spirit to respond to Your reprimands--whether from your Word or through Your people.  Keep me from being irreparably shattered due to my stiff-necked ways.

With that prayer in mind, continue through this chapter.

Read it here.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Proverbs 28

Better a poor man who lives with integrity
than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.

The one who conceals his sins will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them will fond mercy.

I can't get enough of this stuff.

Read it here.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Proverbs 27

Better an open reprimand
than concealed love.

The wounds of a friend are trustworthy,
but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.

Think about those.  These are such wise words.  We need to be these kinds of friends.

Read it here.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Proverbs 26

One of the greatest two-sided coins...


Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
or you’ll be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.

And how about this for vivid...

As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his foolishness.

I don't think we miss that point!


Read it here.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Proverbs 25

A person without self-control
    is like a city with broken-down walls.


The practical nature of this book is astounding!  Check this one out...

Don’t visit your neighbors too often,
    or you will wear out your welcome.


Sometimes godliness is pure and simple - and right between the eyes.

Read it here.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Proverbs 24

What does this say to us, the Church, about abortion?

If you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death,
    those who go staggering to the slaughter;
 if you say, “Look, we did not know this”—
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?
    And will he not repay all according to their deeds?


Read it here.