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.
Posted April 23, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 22:21-34, Joshua 23
NT: Luke 20:27-47
Ps: Psalm 89:14-37
Pr: Proverbs 13:17-19
Today´s notable verse:
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.
Luke 20:38 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted April 23, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 21, Joshua 22:1-20
NT: Luke 20:1-16
Ps: Psalm 89:1-13
Pr: Proverbs 13:15-16
Today´s notable verse:
I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
Psalm 89:1 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted April 23, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 19-20
NT: Luke 19:28-48
Ps: Psalm 88
Pr: Proverbs 13:12-14
Today´s notable verse:
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted April 23, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 16-18
NT: Luke 19:1-27
Ps: Psalm 87
Pr: Proverbs 13:11
Today´s notable verse:
1 The allotment for Joseph began at the Jordan of Jericho, east of the waters of Jericho, and went up from there through the desert into the hill country of Bethel. 2 It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz), [b] crossed over to the territory of the Arkites in Ataroth, 3 descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as the region of Lower Beth Horon and on to Gezer, ending at the sea. 4 So Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph, received their inheritance.
Joshua 16:1-4 (NIV)
A couple things interest me here: first, we see that Joseph was the patriarchal heir to the Promise of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joseph received the birthright – which normally goes to the firstborn son – of a double share of the inheritance; both of his sons Ephraim and Manasseh each received an allotment of land. Second, the descendants of Joseph received as part of their allotment the place that represented God’s promise, covenant, and presence to the patriarchs: Bethel.
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted April 23, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 15
NT: Luke 18:18-43
Ps: Psalm 86
Pr: Proverbs 13:9-10
Today´s notable verse:
Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted April 23, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 13-14
NT: Luke 18:1-17
Ps: Psalm 85
Pr: Proverbs 13:7-8
Today´s notable verse:
13“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:13-14 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 11-12
NT: Luke 17:11-37
Ps: Psalm 84
Pr: Proverbs 13:5-6
Today´s notable verse:
34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.
Luke 7:34-45 (NIV)
I always think of the song “I wish we’d all been ready”, written originally by Larry Norman and re-made by DCTalk.
The One Year Bible Blog asks:
Proverbs chapter 13 verse 5 – “Those who are godly hate lies; the wicked come to shame and disgrace.” Here’s a question – is it ever okay to lie? I’ve spoken with friends who have said they believe it is okay to lie to preserve an innocent life. And I guess if you think about maybe someone who saved lives in the Holocaust by lying, then this would seem to be an okay instance to lie? I mean, you are lying to save an innocent life. Is that okay? I realize the trick becomes where do you draw the lines on when it is okay to lie. We could rationalize almost anything saying it was okay to lie because of x, y, z greater good. This Proverb says those who are godly hate lies. I am sure we all do hate lying. But is it ever okay to lie? To save an innocent life – is it okay?
Amazing, how the wisdom and truth of the Word can be so simple and obvious, and yet we still try to rationalize our own wisdom to justify acting contrary to the Word! The problem I have with justifying lying as a means to save an innocent life is two-fold: first, the ends never justify the means; second, choosing to act ungodly in the name of a righteous end is choosing to act outside of faith. God never intends to use sin to fulfill His will. (To be sure, God is in control of every situation, and can bring about His will despite and through our acts of sin; but God’s way is perfect and holy.) If we think that we have to lie in order to preserve an innocent life, then we deny God’s power and ability to work through the situation to accomplish His Will and to preserve that innocent life. If we in faith speak the truth, then we acknowledge God’s sovereignity and put our faith and trust in Him to accomplish what He will in a way we perhaps cannot see with our own understanding.
And let me play Devil’s Advocate. Two questions: one, what life is truly innocent? And two, are not God’s ways higher than our own ways? The fate of that life (innocent or otherwise) is in God’s hands, and he will spare that life or not, according to His will and His ways. Our responsibility is to act in obedience to Him – which requires our honesty, and not lies.
Posted April 15, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 9:3-27, Joshua 10
NT: Luke 16:19-31, Luke 17:1-10
Ps: Psalm 83
Pr: Proverbs 13:4
Today´s notable verse:
The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.
Joshua 9:14 (NIV)
Oh, how we are deceived when, like the Israelites, we fail to inquire of the Lord! How we bring disaster on ourselves! How many times do we make rash or hasty decisions out of our own understanding and capacity, and without inquiring of the Lord, only to find out afterward that the decision was wrong, or that we had been unknowingly deceived? We serve an omniscient and omnipresent God, from whom nothing is kept hidden – and yet, to our own detriment, we fail to take the obvious and simple step of seeking His wisdom before making decisions in our lives.
The One Year Bible Blog’s commentary for today.
Posted April 15, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 7:16-26, Joshua 8, Joshua 9:1-2
NT: Luke 16:1-18
Ps: Psalm 82
Pr: Proverbs 13:2-3
Today´s notable verse:
10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
Luke 16:10-11 (NIV)
We can discern our character best not by looking at how we deal with major, conspicuous situations, decisions, and responsibilities; but rather, how we deal with the seemingly insignificant, inconspicuous ones. In fact, our character is the result of the sum of such. If we wish to change our character, we do so progressively, choosing wisely with small decisions, and acting faithfully with minor responsibilities. Our stewardship of our worldly resources constitutes a training and proving ground for God’s greater purpose for us not only in this life, but also for our eternal reward.
The One Year Bible Blog’s commentary for today.
Posted April 15, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 5-6, Joshua 7:1-15
NT: Luke 15
Ps: Psalm 81
Pr: Proverbs 13:1
Today´s notable verse:
31 ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
Luke 15:31-32 (NIV)
I think the moral of this parable involves more than just the prodigal son. The faithful son receives instruction and a promise: while great is the rejoicing for the son who has returned to the father, great as well is the blessing to come to the faithful son. The celebration for the return of the prodigal son lasts but for a moment; the inheritance of the faithful son is eternal. It is also important to bear in mind that each of us is both the prodigal son and also the faithful son. Through and like our father Adam, we squandered God’s original inheritance for us; but through Christ, our Father God has restored to us our inheritance: life as He would have us live it; life eternal.
The One Year Bible Blog’s commentary for today.