For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

    If you fear God, it will cause you to follow a straight path of righteousness. If you despise God, you will follow a crooked, devious path as a result.

    Yes, it is good to give thanks and praise to God morning, noon, and night. There is a certain joy and fulfillment that comes from singing God’s praises, even with a singing voice as limited as mine. God has made me glad with all that He has done. He has done great things for me, but even greater things to bring justice to evildoers. The wicked may seem to flourish, but they will utterly destroyed. The godly will flourish because God’s goodness is forever.

    Once again in this passage Jesus’ disciples began to argue among themselves which one of them would be the greatest. Jesus pointed out to them that the kings of this world lord it over their people, ordering them about for the benefit of the king. And that men who call themselves Benefactor order others to serve themselves. Yet that is not how God measures greatness. If I want to be considered great in God’s eyes, I need to put aside my desires and serve the needs and desires of others. A truly great leader will strive to meet the needs and desires of those whom they wish to lead.

    After Joshua’s death, those who had known his leadership died off. Once that generation had died off, the people began worshiping the gods of the people around them. As a result God stopped protecting them from raiders and other enemies. However, God still loved His people. So, He raised up judges to lead them and guide them back to Him. The people would follow such judges while those judges lived. While the judge lived the people would prosper as they followed God’s commands. But when each judge died, the people quickly returned to their sins. This is the story of human history. God raises up men to call His people to Him. They answer His call and follow God’s leading. This leads to prosperity for those who obey God, but once prosperity has come, people lose sight of God and worship things other than God.