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.
Posted 14 August 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Chronicles 35-36
NT: I Corinthians 1:1-17
Ps: Psalm 27:1-6
Pr: Proverbs 20:20-21
Today´s notable verse:
One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted 14 August 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Chronicles 33:14-25, II Chronicles 34
NT: Romans 16:10-27
Ps: Psalm 26
Pr: Proverbs 20:19
Today´s notable verse:
Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
Psalm 26:2 (NIV)
Applying this verse would equate to the graduate, or perhaps post-doc, coursework of Christianity. If I truly want to reveal everything in my life to the cleansing light of truth, I must be willing to open myself so completely to God. He knows everything, anyway; but when I ask Him to test, to try, and to examine me, He will be faithful in doing so. Anything that is unclean, impure, or contrary to God’s standard of holiness and perfection will be revealed. This process is a painful one, but either we subject ourselves to the refiner’s fire now, willingly, or we will be subjected to it later, unwillingly. The former is an act of humility, for which we will be exalted in the end; the latter is a result of pride, which will be humbled in the end.
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted 14 August 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Chronicles 32, II Chronicles 33:1-13
NT: Romans 15:23-33, Romans 16:1-9
Ps: Psalm 25:16-22
Pr: Proverbs 20:16-18
Today´s notable verse:
Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
Proverbs 20:17 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted 13 August 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Chronicles 30-31
NT: Romans 15:1-22
Ps: Psalm 25:1-25
Pr: Proverbs 20:13-15
Today´s notable verse:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted 13 August 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Chronicles 29
NT: Romans 14
Ps: Psalm 24
Pr: Proverbs 20:12
Today´s notable verse:
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 14:19 (NIV)
You know, I think the former end is easy to visualize and to attempt to accomplish, but the latter often ends up overlooked. Paul’s passage here is about how we have freedom in Christ, but we must take every care to ensure that the exercise of that freedom is mutually edifying. We cannot fulfill the law to love our neighbor as ourselves if our actions do not yield mutually edifying results. If I seek only my own edification, then I am acting selfishly and not acting in love. Conversely, when I seek to act in order to edify another, then I am exemplifying Christ’s example of the greatest form of love: to lay down my life – my rights, my freedoms, etc. – for another.
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted 13 August 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Chronicles 26-28
NT: Romans 13
Ps: Psalm 23
Pr: Proverbs 20:11
Today´s notable verse:
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:8 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted 13 August 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Chronicles 24-25
NT: Romans 12
Ps: Psalm 22:19-31
Pr: Proverbs 20:8-10
Today´s notable verse:
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2 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 12:1-2 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted 13 August 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Chronicles 21-23
NT: Romans 11:13-36
Ps: Psalm 22:1-18
Pr: Proverbs 20:7
Today´s notable verse:
The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.
Proverbs 20:7 (NIV)
It is perhaps this thought above all others that compels me to pursue righteousness: I want to be a blessing to my children. I want to pass on a legacy of righteousness and blessing, and not one of iniquity and struggle. All too often, I fail when I consider only the consequences to myself for my actions; but when I consider that my obedience or disobedience will have an impact on my future children, I find the strength and the will to pursue righteousness whole-heartedly.
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted 13 August 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Chronicles 19-20
NT: Romans 10:14-21, Romans 11:1-12
Ps: Psalm 21
Pr: Proverbs 20:4-6
Today´s notable verse:
O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.
II Chronicles 20:9 (NIV)
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. I can think of no better place for my eyes to be – especially when I am in a situation in which I do not know what to do!
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Posted 13 August 2006, back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: II Chronicles 17-18
NT: Romans 9:25-33, Romans 10:1-13
Ps: Psalm 20
Pr: Proverbs 20:2-3
Today´s notable verse:
It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Proverbs 20:3 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.