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Category: Religion

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.

  • OYB June 7

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Kings 2, I Kings 3:1-2
    NT: Acts 5
    Ps: Psalm 125
    Pr: Proverbs 16:25

    Today´s notable verse:

    But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.

    Acts 5:39 (NIV)

    These are wise words from Gamaliel! When our motivations are of our own origin, for our own purposes, then our efforts will ultimately fail. But if our motivation is the compulsion of and love for our Lord, in order to fulfill His purposes, then our efforts cannot fail. In such case, those who would try to hinder or resist those efforts are not working against us alone, but against God – and God fights such battles for us. He calls us first to be obedient and to stand firm in the faith; when we do so, He works all things for our good and for His glory.

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

  • OYB June 6

    Today´s reading:
    OT: I Kings 1
    NT: Acts 4
    Ps: Psalm 124
    Pr: Proverbs 16:24

    Today´s notable verse:

    Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

    Acts 4:12 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog asks:

    Comments from you & Question of the Day – We read about the boldness of Peter and John in Acts chapter 4 today. Do you think we are called to be bold in our faith? Why? What are some ways that we should be bold in our faith? What are some ways in which you are bold in your faith today? What are some ways you want to become bolder in your faith?

    Everywhere in Scripture where a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, boldness – and no other alternative – follows.

    For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

    II Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

    We are called to be bold in – and through – our faith because the Holy Spirit is bold; truth is bold. Therefore, that same boldness is borne in us through the working of that same Spirit, to proclaim that same truth.

  • OYB June 5

    Today´s reading:
    OT: II Samuel 23:24-39, II Samuel 24
    NT: Acts 3
    Ps: Psalm 123
    Pr: Proverbs 16:21-23

    Today´s notable verse:

    But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

    II Samuel 24:24a (NIV)

    To offer a sacrifice that costs nothing is to defeat the very purpose and meaning of sacrifice. Just as for David, so also for us.

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

  • OYB June 4

    Today´s reading:
    OT: II Samuel 22, II Samuel 23:1-23
    NT: Acts 2
    Ps: Psalm 122
    Pr: Proverbs 16:19-20

    Today´s notable verse:

    Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    Acts 2:38 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

  • Thomas Aquinas on Embryoes

    The spin:

    St. Thomas Aquinas, the premier teacher in the Roman Catholic tradition, did not think the early fetus was a person – “ensouled,” in his language. St. Thomas believed the early life in the womb received a spiritual soul – and became a baby – only after three to four months. Thus, embryonic cells in a lab dish or frozen away are certainly not “ensouled.”

    The reality

    It is true that Aquinas did believe that the soul was not infused at the beginning of a pregnancy. This is because Aquinas followed Aristotle’s embryology (circa 300 B.C.) and believed that an embryo was not formed enough to receive a soul until well into its development. However, 21st century embryology provides clear evidence that everything the soul needs is present from the first moment of every human being’s existence – as numerous Catholic scholars have explained. Aquinas would undoubtedly accept this evidence and agree with the Church’s current teaching.

    Further, St. Thomas also believed the intentional ending of a pregnancy at any stage was a sin – regardless of when the soul was present. Thus, he remains firmly within the tradition of the Church in respecting human life at all stages.

    More parsing of the original op-ed, later.

    Via John Combest.

  • OYB June 3

    Today´s reading:
    OT: II Samuel 20:14-26, II Samuel 21
    NT: Acts 1
    Ps: Psalm 121
    Pr: Proverbs 16:18

    Today´s notable verse:

    The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life

    Psalm 121:7 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog asks:

    Comments from you & Question of the Day – What are some ways you have dealt with pride in your life in the past? Have you been able to overcome issues of judging others? Thinking you are all that? How did you overcome these pride issues?

    [Note: the question of the day is in response to today’s Proverbs 16:18 passage: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.“]

    To combat an issue like pride and being judgemental, we must remember first that God gave us the capacity and the responsibility to control our thoughts:

    We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

    II Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

    Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

    Romans 12:2 (NIV)

    Second, we must remember that our thoughts are to be obedient to Christ, and are to reflect His Lordship in our lives and our expression of His love. This reflection demands humility:

    For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

    Romans 12:3 (NIV)

    Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

    Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

    Finally, we must realize that what we say is the natural progression of our thoughts and our attitudes:

    The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

    Luke 6:45 (NIV)

    Ultimately, we must remember that we are called first and foremost to deal with the glaring sin in our own lives before we could ever hope to address someone else’s sin. I have enough to handle with this plank in my own eye; why would I concern myself with the speck of dust in my brother’s eye?

  • OYB June 2

    Today´s reading:
    OT: II Samuel 19:11-43, II Samuel 20:1-13
    NT: John 21
    Ps: Psalm 120
    Pr: Proverbs 16:16-17

    Today´s notable verse:

    How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

    Proverbs 16:16 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

  • OYB June 1

    Today´s reading:
    OT: II Samuel 18, II Samuel 19:1-10
    NT: John 20
    Ps: Psalm 119:153-176
    Pr: Proverbs 16:14-15

    Today´s notable verse:

    Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

    Psalm 119:165 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

  • OYB May 31

    Today´s reading:
    OT: II Samuel 17
    NT: John 19:23-42
    Ps: Psalm 119:129-152
    Pr: Proverbs 16:12-13

    Today´s notable verse:

    I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.

    Psalm 119:147 (NIV)

    There is something about the stillness of the morning just before dawn; I have always found this time of the day to be one of the most opportune for communion with God.

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

  • OYB May 30

    Today´s reading:
    OT: II Samuel 15:23-37, II Samuel 16
    NT: John 18:25-40, John 19:1-22
    Ps: Psalm 119:113-128
    Pr: Proverbs 16:10-11

    Today´s notable verse:

    124 Deal with your servant according to your love
    and teach me your decrees.
    125 I am your servant; give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.

    Psalm 119:124-125(NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.