re·li·gion: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conductof human affairs. Posts in this category pertain to religious matters and issues.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Kings 10:32-, II Kings 11-12
NT: Acts 18:1-22
Ps: Psalm 145
Pr: Proverbs 18:1
Today´s notable verse:
8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.Psalm 145:8-9 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Kings 9:14-37, II Kings 10:1-31
NT: Acts 17
Ps: Psalm 144
Pr: Proverbs 17:27-28
Today´s notable verse:
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
Acts 17:22-23 (NIV)
I love this example of how Paul uses everything available to him in order to reach the lost. As we will read in the coming weeks (I Corinthians 9:19-22), Paul became “all things to all men, so that by all possible means [he] might save some”. To the Jews, Paul spoke in the synagogues on the Sabbath, reasoning from the Scriptures. Yet, to the Gentile men of the Areopagus of Athens, Paul used the altar to an “Unknown God” – and later in the same speech, references to contemporary secular poetry. It is obvious that Paul was well-versed in the “pop culture” of his day – though at the same time, he was not influenced by that culture. While Paul used an altar as a starting point, “he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols” (v.16).
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Kings 8, II Kings 9:1-13
NT: Acts 16:16-40
Ps: Psalm 143
Pr: Proverbs 17:26
Today´s notable verse:
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.Psalm 143:10 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Kings 6-7
NT: Acts 15:36-41, Acts 16:1-15
Ps: Psalm 142
Pr: Proverbs 17:24-25
Today´s notable verse:
A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 17:24 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Kings 4:18-37, I Kings 5
NT: Acts 15:1-35
Ps: Psalm 141
Pr: Proverbs 17:23
Today´s notable verse:
8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
Acts 15:8-9 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Kings 3, II Kings 4:1-17
NT: Acts 14:8-28
Ps: Psalm 140
Pr: Proverbs 17:22
Today´s notable verse:
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Kings 1-2
NT: Acts 13:42-52, Acts 14:1-7
Ps: Psalm 139
Pr: Proverbs 17:19-21
Today´s notable verse:
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Kings 22
NT: Acts 13:16-41
Ps: Psalm 138
Pr: Proverbs 17:17-18
Today´s notable verse:
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.Psalm 138:8 (NIV)
The first line of this verse is a very real comfort to me today, as I begin to face the reality that someone very close to me very likely will see her life cut short – short, that is, by our imperfect, human standards. It is at times like these that I have only my faith on which to rely, to trust that God has a purpose for her life, and that He will fulfill that purpose – that He will not abondon the works of His hands. But I know His Word is true, and I am thankful that He has given me a role to play in her life. I really can’t say anything more detailed (yet), but those close to me know what/whom I’m talking about.
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Kings 20-21
NT: Acts 12:24-25, Acts 13:1-15
Ps: Psalm 137
Pr: Proverbs 17:16
Today´s notable verse:
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 13:2-3 (NIV)
I know this day is coming, but I don’t know when.
The One Year Bible Blog notes:
A very cool thing to note about today’s readings is that Paul started his missionary journey not after an extensive planning session / retreat / etc. (all our modern day stuff of what we have to do before embarking on something…) No! Paul started his missionary journey after a time of worship & fasting and being filled with the Holy Spirit! The Spirit moved and thus Paul moved! It was that simple.
True, when the time to move came, the Spirit spoke, and the disciples acted; however, Paul spent eleven years in preparation for this moment of sending – 11 years of service and teaching and training in the Word under the believers in Jerusalem and Antioch.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Kings 19
NT: Acts 12:1-23
Ps: Psalm 136
Pr: Proverbs 17:14-15
Today´s notable verse:
11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
I Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.