De·vo·tions: an act of religious observance or prayer, especially when private. Often used in the plural. Posts in this category pertain to my observations and commentary regarding Bible study and devotions.
Today´s reading:
OT: Jeremiah 39-41
NT: 2 Timothy 1
Ps: Psalm 90-91
Pr: Proverbs 26:1-2
Today´s notable verse:
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)
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: Jeremiah 37-38
NT: I Timothy 6
Ps: Psalm 89:38-52
Pr: Proverbs 25:28
Today´s notable verse:
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
I Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
What an eloquent statement of the Christian worldview: constantly pursuing the betterment of one’s character, while always being content with one’s circumstances. In so doing, we allow God to work through us freely, and not only thus participate in the advancement of His kingdom here on earth, but store up eternal reward for ourselves. Love not the pursuit of money, but the pursuit of the character of God.
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.
Posted 21 October 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Jeremiah 35-36
NT: I Timothy 5
Ps: Psalm 89:14-37
Pr: Proverbs 25:25-27
Today´s notable verse:
1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
I Timothy 5:1-2 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.
Posted 21 October 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Jeremiah 33-34
NT: I Timothy 4
Ps: Psalm 89:1-13
Pr: Proverbs 25:23-24
Today´s notable verse:
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
I Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
I often meditated upon this verse as a teenager, yet I believe Timothy was near – and just slightly older than – my current age when Paul wrote these words to him. So, I should continue to meditate upon these words! I pray that I am able, through Christ, to continue to set a good example to my fellow believers, and especially to my wonderful, soon-to-be wife and the blesed child we are eagerly expecting.
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.
Posted 21 October 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Jeremiah 31:27-40, Jeremiah 32
NT: I Timoty 3
Ps: Psalm 88
Pr: Proverbs 25:20-22
Today´s notable verse:
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He[a] appeared in a body,[b] was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.[a] Some manuscripts God
[b] or in the fleshI Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
This statement sounds like a very simple statement of belief – perhaps an early doctrinal creed? (I admit, my church history is lacking here.) I included the footnotes here, because I think “God appeard in the flesh” is consistent with the preceding phrase “mystery of godliness”. Whether implicitly, as the NIV translates, or explicitly, as the footnotes expound, Paul’s clear point is that Jesus Christ was God come to earth in human form.
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.
Posted 21 October 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Jeremiah 30, Jeremiah 31:1-26
NT: I Timothy 2
Ps: Psalm 87
Pr: Proverbs 25:18-19
Today´s notable verse:
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…
I Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.
Posted 21 October 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Jeremiah 28-29
NT: I Timothy 1
Ps: Psalm 86
Pr: Proverbs 25:17
Today´s notable verse:
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
I Timothy 1:15 (NIV)
I think that which makes this saying so trustworthy is the final phrase: Paul viewed himself as the worst sinner in the world – a view that each of us should in humility take for himself. I know that I have enough sin in my own life on which to concentrate; I don’t need to worry about anyone else!
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.
Posted 21 October 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Jeremiah 26-27
NT: II Thessalonians 3
Ps: Psalm 85
Pr: Proverbs 25:16
Today´s notable verse:
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
II Thessalonians 3:10 (NIV)
It seems I have often heard this maxim misquoted as, “If a man does not work, he shall not eat.” The former is both fair and compassionate; the latter is Marxist. The former recognizes that one’s responsibility is commensurate with his ability, and that society carries some burden for those who are unable to provide for themselves; the latter indicates that one who cannot work is a burden to society, and dispensible. The former recognizes the inherent worth of man as an endowment from his Creator; the latter implies that human worth is inherent only insofar as one is able to produce.
The significant difference lies in will and does. A man who will not work has the ability to work but chooses not to do so. Paul is speaking not against the failure to produce work but rather the failure to choose to uphold one’s responsibility to the extent that he is able to do so.
If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
Provbers 25:16 (NIV)
Moderation is an important virtue in Christian living. This virtue applies to most areas of life, including the area from which the imagery of this verse is taken: diet. Having spent most of my youth and college years overweight, I have some experience with dieting and weight loss. Even though I lost a considerable amount of weight, I do not take the approach that any certain food is always and forever off-limits. The key, of course, is moderation. I have chosen a carbohydrate-restricted way of eating in which refined sugar, flour, and starch are a very minimal part of my diet; however, that does not mean that I have eliminated such foods forever from my diet. Rather, in moderation I might have a serving-spoonful of home fries with a breakfast meal once in a while, rather than three potatoes’ worth every day.
This same principle applies to other areas of life. I may have a small glass of wine with dinner a few nights a week. I may go see a movie in a theater once a month. I may spend a few hours a week playing tennis or in some other form of exercise. I spend my time in the office working hard, with the mindset that I work to live rather than live to work. One of the keys to understanding the principle of moderation is, I think, found in Paul’s words elsewhere:
“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
I Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive.
I Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)
In other words, the key to moderation is keeping God as Lord of our lives, and maintaining our priorities according to His principles. In so doing, we make choices accordingly in our lives, and therefore are not mastered by anything. Moderation is a principle of self-denial of gratification or over-indulgence, in order to set apart our lives for the greater good.
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.
Posted 21 October 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Jeremiah 23:21-40, Jeremiah 24-25
NT: II Thessalonians 2
Ps: Psalm 84
Pr: Proverbs 25:15
Today´s notable verse:
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs 25:15 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.
Posted 17 October 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Jeremiah 22, Jeremiah 23:1-20
NT: II Thessalonians 1
Ps: Psalm 83
Pr: Proverbs 25:11-14
Today´s notable verse:
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.
II Thessalonians 1:11 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.