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: I Samuel 18:5-30, I Samuel 19
NT: John 8:31-59
Ps: Psalm 112
Pr: Proverbs 15:12-14
Today´s notable verse:
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
John 8:58 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Samuel 17, I Samuel 18:1-4
NT: John 8:21-30
Ps: Psalm 111
Pr: Proverbs 15:11
Today´s notable verses:
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
I Samuel 17:45 (NIV)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.Psalm 111:10 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Samuel 15-16
NT: John 8:1-20
Ps: Psalm 110
Pr: Proverbs 15:8-10
Today´s notable verse:
But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
I Samuel 15:22 (NIV)
“To obey is better than sacrifice” – how true this principle remains today!
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Samuel 14
NT: John 7:31-53
Ps: Psalm 109
Pr: Proverbs 15:5-7
Today´s notable verse:
“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
I Samuel 14:7 (NIV)
I wonder if we, the armor-bearers of God, would reply to our Lord in the same manner?
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Samuel 12-13
NT: John 7:1-30
Ps: Psalm 108
Pr: Proverbs 15:4
Today´s notable verses:
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
I Samuel 12:24 (NIV)
Still good advice today!
13 “You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.”
I Samuel 13:13-14 (NIV)
We see here some of Jacob’s prophecy in Genesis 49 being fulfilled: Jacob prophesied that Benjamin would “devour prey” and “divide plunder” – and what are the Benjamite Saul’s first acts as king, but acts of war against the Ammonites and Philistines? Jacob also prophesied that the rulership of Israel would be Judah’s, and that the scepter would never leave Judah until the coming of the Messiah – and here Samuel alludes to God’s Chosen, David, of the tribe of Judah: a man after God’s own heart, who would become Israel’s first and greatest king, aside from Messiah Himself.
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog asks:
Verse 23 is intriguing when Samuel says – “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.” It sounds like if Samuel stopped his prayers for the Israelites, he would be sinning. Interesting. What about us today? Does God call us at times to pray for others? And if we do not respond to this call and do not pray for others, are we sinning?
Well:
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
James 4:17 (NIV)
Today´s reading:
OT: I Samuel 10-11
NT: John 6:43-71
Ps: Psalm 107
Pr: Proverbs 15:1-3
Today´s notable verses:
The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.
I Samuel 10:6 (NIV)
Is not the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives today the same? For those redeemed of Christ, we have with us and in us the Holy Spirit – in power. And can we not help but to be changed into a different person? I’m not so hung up on the part concerning Saul prophesying, for the Holy Spirit gives His gifts as He chooses. But I cling with all that I am to the promise that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am being continually changed into a different person: a person more and more conformed to the image of Christ.
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Samuel 8-9
NT: John 6:22-42
Ps: Psalm 106:32-48
Pr: Proverbs 14:34-35
Today´s notable verse:
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 6:29 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Samuel 5-7
NT: John 6:1-21
Ps: Psalm 106:13-31
Pr: Proverbs 14:32-33
Today´s notable verse:
Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
and even among fools she lets herself be known.Proverbs 14:33(NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
(Posted May 9, back-dated.)
Today´s reading:
OT: I Samuel 2:22-36, I Samuel 3-4
NT: John 5:24-47
Ps: Psalm 106:1-12
Pr: Proverbs 14:30-31
Today´s notable verse:
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
John 5:24 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.
Today´s reading:
OT: I Samuel 1, I Samuel 2:1-21
NT: John 5:1-23
Ps: Psalm 105:37-45
Pr: Proverbs 14:28-29
Today´s notable verses:
Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”
John 5:19 (NIV)
Jesus here is obviously referring to Himself carrying out the work of God the Father, but this verse reminds me both of the great blessing God has given me in the example of my earthly father, and also the great responsibility I carry as an example the my future children. I thank God every day for my parents, for their disciplining of me in and example to me of faith. I thank God that they have demonstrated to me the love of God the Father. And I am awed by the thought of one day having that same privilege and responsibility; I pray that I am able to exemplify a life of faith and demonstrate the love of the Father to my future children.
A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man displays folly.Proverbs 14:29 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.